4 months ago
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sunny Fall Saturday
Good day for a Girl Scout hike!
Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Interesting article on delaying the introduction of solids to babies
Heed Natural Timing before Infant Introduction to Solid Food
Heed Natural Timing before Infant Introduction to Solid Food
by Sherry Rothwell, citizen journalist
Originally published November 7 2009
(NaturalNews) It is commonplace among modern mothers to begin introducing solid food to their babies as early as 4 months of age, yet babies in more primitive societies were mostly exclusively breastfed until 2 years of age. Given the archeological studies, babies` immature and developing digestive enzyme production, along with evidence that prolonging exclusive breastfeeding may also confer health benefits, it may be time for both moms and nutrition experts to reconsider the timing of a baby`s first introduction to solid foods.
While many pediatricians still recommend starting babies on solid foods between 4 to 6 months of age, the WHO now recommends that babies remain exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. To prevent allergies and food sensitivities, some doctors now recommend delaying the introduction of solids until baby is at least 12 months of age.
Most experts recommend that if mothers want to delay starting their babies on solids, they should not continue exclusive breastfeeding beyond 9 months. It is assumed that the iron stores in mothers` milk are deficient and may lead to the baby developing anemia.
According to Dr. Linda Palmer who has done extensive research on this subject, most studies on nutritional status, in regards to the delaying of solids, were done on populations where mothers are malnourished. She says that deficiency of iron is more common in breastfed babies, but that this factor co-relates with the introduction of solids, rather than with exclusive breastfeeding itself or because mothers` milk suddenly becomes deficient at 9 months.
This window of deficiency occurs, as the result of a natural physiological shift whereby the iron in baby`s first foods, binds with the mother`s lactoferrin, thus making her iron less bioavailable. The iron that baby does get from food sources, ends up first feeding iron-hungry and less beneficial intestinal bacteria. It is because of this factor that baby has a higher requirement for iron, at least until the intestinal flora rebalances.
So while it seems necessary to at least account for this physiological shift when mothers do introduce solids, what about delaying the inevitable until baby is 12 months or older? Is there any harm in waiting to introduce solids? Once again, according to Palmer, "The few studies performed on extended exclusive breastfeeding are in non-industrialized areas, showing a marginal advantage to beginning supplemental foods by 24 months. The only good studies on fully breastfed infants performed in the US go only as high as 9 months, demonstrating superior health at this age for those who are exclusively breastfed".
According to archeological studies, many human babies had little, if any, foods other than breast milk before two years of age. Palmer concludes, "While I DO think it is natural to have a wide variation in timing for natural infants` introduction to solids, (the initial weaning process), and final weaning, I don`t think it`s naturally common for first foods to begin as early as 6 months in most babies".
What about those experts that feel that we should wait until babies are at least 1 year of age before introducing solids? Is there any merit to these recommendations? David Rowland, author of Digestion: Inner Pathway to Health, says, "Salivary amylase (ptyalin) is not normally present in any appreciable quantity until about six months of age. Pancreatic amylase is not produced in adequate amounts until the molar teeth are fully developed, which may not be until ages 28-36 months". For this reason, he recommends that we should not be feeding babies, bread, crackers and other starchy foods. This advice strongly conflicts with the conventional wisdom that deems iron-fortified cereal to be a baby`s ideal first food.
Palmer disagrees with Rowland; she does not feel that infants have trouble digesting carbohydrates. She feels that gluten-containing grains may pose the biggest challenge. On the other hand, she also disagrees with the conventional perspective. She says, "Iron-fortified cereals have high doses of iron that may stunt growth slightly when not needed. If baby has risk factors for developing anemia, (low iron stores from rapid cord cutting, smoking parent, food-intolerance reactions, lower birth weight), one might consider a blood test around 9 months (or sooner if recommended) to alleviate concerns".
While evolution and physiology seem to suggest that there is no specific time to introduce solids, along with no harm in delaying them, does extending exclusive breastfeeding confer any health benefits?
While there are no studies on exclusive breastfeeding beyond 9 months in industrialized societies, Palmer lists the following in her very informative slide show entitled, "Beyond Breastmilk". The following list conveys the potential benefits of delaying solids: delays iron competition, delays the loss of full immune protection (immune protection extends beyond weaning and lasts even longer the more breast milk baby receives), provides baby with a more "natural feeding progression" and reduces the risks of allergies.
Given that our ancestors in more primitive societies were likely more in tune with nature`s plan for feeding babies, it seems reasonable to call the early introduction of solids into question. Because pancreatic amylase is deficient in babies (until their molars come in) we might as well also question the wide spread introduction of iron fortified cereal grain, as an infant`s first food.
While there is a lot more room for research to be done in this area, delaying solids gives babies` digestive system more time to mature, and may decrease the risk of allergies due to reduced immunity and enzyme deficiency. The evidence suggests that we need not deviate too far from the natural feeding pattern that has thus sustained and ensured the survival of the human race, thus far.
References:
http://www.mothering.com/sections/e...
www.babyreference.com/BEYONDBREASTM...
http://www.babyreference.com/Natura...
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/s...
Digestion: Inner Pathway to Health, David W. Rowland
Heed Natural Timing before Infant Introduction to Solid Food
by Sherry Rothwell, citizen journalist
Originally published November 7 2009
(NaturalNews) It is commonplace among modern mothers to begin introducing solid food to their babies as early as 4 months of age, yet babies in more primitive societies were mostly exclusively breastfed until 2 years of age. Given the archeological studies, babies` immature and developing digestive enzyme production, along with evidence that prolonging exclusive breastfeeding may also confer health benefits, it may be time for both moms and nutrition experts to reconsider the timing of a baby`s first introduction to solid foods.
While many pediatricians still recommend starting babies on solid foods between 4 to 6 months of age, the WHO now recommends that babies remain exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. To prevent allergies and food sensitivities, some doctors now recommend delaying the introduction of solids until baby is at least 12 months of age.
Most experts recommend that if mothers want to delay starting their babies on solids, they should not continue exclusive breastfeeding beyond 9 months. It is assumed that the iron stores in mothers` milk are deficient and may lead to the baby developing anemia.
According to Dr. Linda Palmer who has done extensive research on this subject, most studies on nutritional status, in regards to the delaying of solids, were done on populations where mothers are malnourished. She says that deficiency of iron is more common in breastfed babies, but that this factor co-relates with the introduction of solids, rather than with exclusive breastfeeding itself or because mothers` milk suddenly becomes deficient at 9 months.
This window of deficiency occurs, as the result of a natural physiological shift whereby the iron in baby`s first foods, binds with the mother`s lactoferrin, thus making her iron less bioavailable. The iron that baby does get from food sources, ends up first feeding iron-hungry and less beneficial intestinal bacteria. It is because of this factor that baby has a higher requirement for iron, at least until the intestinal flora rebalances.
So while it seems necessary to at least account for this physiological shift when mothers do introduce solids, what about delaying the inevitable until baby is 12 months or older? Is there any harm in waiting to introduce solids? Once again, according to Palmer, "The few studies performed on extended exclusive breastfeeding are in non-industrialized areas, showing a marginal advantage to beginning supplemental foods by 24 months. The only good studies on fully breastfed infants performed in the US go only as high as 9 months, demonstrating superior health at this age for those who are exclusively breastfed".
According to archeological studies, many human babies had little, if any, foods other than breast milk before two years of age. Palmer concludes, "While I DO think it is natural to have a wide variation in timing for natural infants` introduction to solids, (the initial weaning process), and final weaning, I don`t think it`s naturally common for first foods to begin as early as 6 months in most babies".
What about those experts that feel that we should wait until babies are at least 1 year of age before introducing solids? Is there any merit to these recommendations? David Rowland, author of Digestion: Inner Pathway to Health, says, "Salivary amylase (ptyalin) is not normally present in any appreciable quantity until about six months of age. Pancreatic amylase is not produced in adequate amounts until the molar teeth are fully developed, which may not be until ages 28-36 months". For this reason, he recommends that we should not be feeding babies, bread, crackers and other starchy foods. This advice strongly conflicts with the conventional wisdom that deems iron-fortified cereal to be a baby`s ideal first food.
Palmer disagrees with Rowland; she does not feel that infants have trouble digesting carbohydrates. She feels that gluten-containing grains may pose the biggest challenge. On the other hand, she also disagrees with the conventional perspective. She says, "Iron-fortified cereals have high doses of iron that may stunt growth slightly when not needed. If baby has risk factors for developing anemia, (low iron stores from rapid cord cutting, smoking parent, food-intolerance reactions, lower birth weight), one might consider a blood test around 9 months (or sooner if recommended) to alleviate concerns".
While evolution and physiology seem to suggest that there is no specific time to introduce solids, along with no harm in delaying them, does extending exclusive breastfeeding confer any health benefits?
While there are no studies on exclusive breastfeeding beyond 9 months in industrialized societies, Palmer lists the following in her very informative slide show entitled, "Beyond Breastmilk". The following list conveys the potential benefits of delaying solids: delays iron competition, delays the loss of full immune protection (immune protection extends beyond weaning and lasts even longer the more breast milk baby receives), provides baby with a more "natural feeding progression" and reduces the risks of allergies.
Given that our ancestors in more primitive societies were likely more in tune with nature`s plan for feeding babies, it seems reasonable to call the early introduction of solids into question. Because pancreatic amylase is deficient in babies (until their molars come in) we might as well also question the wide spread introduction of iron fortified cereal grain, as an infant`s first food.
While there is a lot more room for research to be done in this area, delaying solids gives babies` digestive system more time to mature, and may decrease the risk of allergies due to reduced immunity and enzyme deficiency. The evidence suggests that we need not deviate too far from the natural feeding pattern that has thus sustained and ensured the survival of the human race, thus far.
References:
http://www.mothering.com/sections/e...
www.babyreference.com/BEYONDBREASTM...
http://www.babyreference.com/Natura...
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/s...
Digestion: Inner Pathway to Health, David W. Rowland
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Thing to make you go "Hmmmm"
This is from the Daily Newletter that I receive from Natural News (insider@naturalnews.com)
NaturalNews Tip of the day (from Mike): While all the health experts are demanding that we pump pregnant women full of H1N1 vaccines, did you ever notice that they almost never recommend expectant mothers should beef up their nutrition? Has the idea of keeping preganant women healthy become so alien to modern medicine that it never even crosses their minds anymore? If you want some good prenatal nutrition, check out the formulas from New Chapter, by the way. Good stuff...
NaturalNews Tip of the day (from Mike): While all the health experts are demanding that we pump pregnant women full of H1N1 vaccines, did you ever notice that they almost never recommend expectant mothers should beef up their nutrition? Has the idea of keeping preganant women healthy become so alien to modern medicine that it never even crosses their minds anymore? If you want some good prenatal nutrition, check out the formulas from New Chapter, by the way. Good stuff...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Parenting
When's the last time that you tuned your kid out instead of paying attention to that wonderful creature that you are supposed to be lovingly guiding through life?
Maybe it's about time you listened to Sara Hickman's song for the first time (or for a refresher).
Maybe it's about time you listened to Sara Hickman's song for the first time (or for a refresher).
Monsanto
Even the courts agree that Monsanto lies to the end-user of it's products.
GMO Giant Monsanto Loses Another Day in Court
GMO Giant Monsanto Loses Another Day in Court
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Finca Pura Vida is back!!
The latest news is that Finca Pura Vida will be in Austin on Sundays. They will be opening with the New HOPE Farmers Market on East 5th Street just two blocks east from I-35. It's on Sundays from 10am to 3pm. It's in and behind an old cotton warehouse. Hope you can go and get some of the FINEST produce in the Central Texas area. They'll have eggs, ayote, kale, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, sweet peppers, basil, and a few of the first tomatoes. They'll be selling their beef and pork and canned goods there as soon as they get their health department license.
Farm details can be found at www.fincapuravida.org
Farm details can be found at www.fincapuravida.org
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Flu vaccines: unnecessary or ineffective? Either way it's big money for the Pharmacuticals
From the latest issue of The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200911/brownlee-h1n1
And here's a followup with more details from the Health Ranger Flu vaccines revealed as the greatest quackery ever pushed in the history of medicine by Mike Adams the Health Ranger
And here's a followup with more details from the Health Ranger Flu vaccines revealed as the greatest quackery ever pushed in the history of medicine by Mike Adams the Health Ranger
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
tamale dinner
It's exactly 36 hours before I leave town and I'm hosting a tamale dinner for 8 in 1 hour!
11 tamales
1 lb shrimp cooked up and served over mushroom ravioli w/ a Old Bay butter sauce
1.5 lb mixed veggies
some Shiner beer
maybe a salad
maybe some wine
11 tamales
1 lb shrimp cooked up and served over mushroom ravioli w/ a Old Bay butter sauce
1.5 lb mixed veggies
some Shiner beer
maybe a salad
maybe some wine
Monday, September 28, 2009
Are you concerned about your daughter's clothes?
Are you concerned about the lack of modest clothing available for you to pick from when buying clothes for your daughter? Then consider signing this petition to the Council of Fashion Designers of America: http://www.secretkeepergirl.com/Bod_Squad_Petition.aspx
If you aren't willing to do that, then at least consider shopping at the top 3 'modest clothing' retailers during October 23 & 24th - Old Navy/Gap Kids, Lands' End/Sears, Children's Place - and let them know why you are shopping with them on those particular days.
If you aren't willing to do that, then at least consider shopping at the top 3 'modest clothing' retailers during October 23 & 24th - Old Navy/Gap Kids, Lands' End/Sears, Children's Place - and let them know why you are shopping with them on those particular days.
Dr Laura
I'm liking Dr Laura's post for today : http://www.drlaurablog.com/2009/09/28/when-students-dont-make-the-grade/
Blueberries
I learned this today "Did you know that mixing blueberries with protein powder (or milk proteins) causes a reduction in the antioxidant potential of the blueberries? When making superfoods, avoid combining blueberries and protein (especially milk proteins)."
This means that while it's a good thing to add blueberries to your granola with milk or yogurt (or ice cream), you aren't getting as much goodness from those blueberries as you could. So later in the day go ahead and have a another handful of those blueberries but this time have them plain to better utilize all that antioxidant goodness.
This means that while it's a good thing to add blueberries to your granola with milk or yogurt (or ice cream), you aren't getting as much goodness from those blueberries as you could. So later in the day go ahead and have a another handful of those blueberries but this time have them plain to better utilize all that antioxidant goodness.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
12 reasons (of many more) to Homeschool
Passed on from another blog: found at http://highereducation-mama4x.blogspot.com/2009/07/top-12-reasons-to-homeschool.html
1.) Have control over the material your child learns. Worldview included!
2.) Decide with your child the depth and duration of topical studies. To skim the main ideas or to delve into the deepest detail of whatever topic!
3.) Never again be a slave to the school year or the school day: go to the grocery store and the amusement park when you want to, not the same week as everyone else!
4.) Be the major influence in the shaping of your child, instead of his peer group!
5.) For the ability to take advantage of all the opportunities for interesting, character-shaping talks with your child as they arise.
6.) Delight in the fact that your children will be able to interact and converse with all age groups, not just their own.
7.) For the fact that your kids will be able to investigate "community helpers" and business owners in person, instead of through a worksheet.
8.) To know your child can answer the questions of strangers and relatives with more than a few noises or a noncommittal shrug, that they know the reasons behind decisions and how to enunciate them.
9.) For the freedom to educate the way you see fit- be it stringently organized and monitored or loosely flowing from skill to skill.
10.) For the community of similarly-believing families and the support that comes from those who understand the difficulties and joys of such a lifestyle-shaping choice.
11.) For the joy of spending each day with the children you love and observing them as they journey to adulthood.
12.) For the assurance that no other teacher could ever care more or try harder than the one your children had... you.
1.) Have control over the material your child learns. Worldview included!
2.) Decide with your child the depth and duration of topical studies. To skim the main ideas or to delve into the deepest detail of whatever topic!
3.) Never again be a slave to the school year or the school day: go to the grocery store and the amusement park when you want to, not the same week as everyone else!
4.) Be the major influence in the shaping of your child, instead of his peer group!
5.) For the ability to take advantage of all the opportunities for interesting, character-shaping talks with your child as they arise.
6.) Delight in the fact that your children will be able to interact and converse with all age groups, not just their own.
7.) For the fact that your kids will be able to investigate "community helpers" and business owners in person, instead of through a worksheet.
8.) To know your child can answer the questions of strangers and relatives with more than a few noises or a noncommittal shrug, that they know the reasons behind decisions and how to enunciate them.
9.) For the freedom to educate the way you see fit- be it stringently organized and monitored or loosely flowing from skill to skill.
10.) For the community of similarly-believing families and the support that comes from those who understand the difficulties and joys of such a lifestyle-shaping choice.
11.) For the joy of spending each day with the children you love and observing them as they journey to adulthood.
12.) For the assurance that no other teacher could ever care more or try harder than the one your children had... you.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
not technically
So technically, President Obama was tutored at home each day by his mom to supplement his public school education. He was NOT homeschooled.
But it's still cool that she went to that effort to give him a superior education.
But it's still cool that she went to that effort to give him a superior education.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
empty house
The kids are off at PE for another hour, I've vacuumed, done some more laundry, the dishwasher is unloaded, Joe's off at an appointment and now I'm sitting here enjoying a guarana soda in my solitude (the old leaky dog in the laundry room doesn't count).
Dinner tonight at church - the first of the fall semester - baked potatoes.
I think I'm going to sit and knit for a bit.
Dinner tonight at church - the first of the fall semester - baked potatoes.
I think I'm going to sit and knit for a bit.
POTUS was homeschooled!
Check out this quote from President Obama's speech yesterday:
"When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.
Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."
Let's look at the stated facts: she taught him herself, every day for 2 hours before he went to the local school and before she went to work. Sounds like homeschooling to me!
Read the transcript yourself if you don't believe me! I had to since I couldn't believe my ears when I heard him say it during the speech! http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
"When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.
Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."
Let's look at the stated facts: she taught him herself, every day for 2 hours before he went to the local school and before she went to work. Sounds like homeschooling to me!
Read the transcript yourself if you don't believe me! I had to since I couldn't believe my ears when I heard him say it during the speech! http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
Friday, September 04, 2009
no pictures
Sorry, forgot to take pictures for the first day of PE on Wednesday (actually I do have some but I haven't taken them off of our camera) and today on the field trip. But that's ok 'cause I took pictures with my brain! And I have pictures from another time we went to Pioneer Farms.
Today's events:
8:15 - breakfast
8:30 - spelling test
8:40 - math test
9:15 - pack for Pioneer Farms
9:30 - leave for PF
10:00 - get to PF
12:00 - leave PF
12:30 - get home and pack for Park Day
12:45 - leave for Park Day
1:00 - get to park
4:30 - 4:40 - leave Park and head to Giselle's ballet lesson
5 - 6 - ballet lesson (new day and time this year)
6:15 - 7:15 - dinner at Dynasty Buffet (that's our 'thing' every Friday night after the park) but this time we had others along to join us for dinner. That's always fun!
Today's events:
8:15 - breakfast
8:30 - spelling test
8:40 - math test
9:15 - pack for Pioneer Farms
9:30 - leave for PF
10:00 - get to PF
12:00 - leave PF
12:30 - get home and pack for Park Day
12:45 - leave for Park Day
1:00 - get to park
4:30 - 4:40 - leave Park and head to Giselle's ballet lesson
5 - 6 - ballet lesson (new day and time this year)
6:15 - 7:15 - dinner at Dynasty Buffet (that's our 'thing' every Friday night after the park) but this time we had others along to join us for dinner. That's always fun!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Eyes
Just about anything is better than a poke in the eye with a stick, I now know this personally. I didn't disbelieve it before so it wasn't really necessary for me to learn this through experience. Oh well.
'deep' thoughts
So this came from one of those horrible "forward this or bad things will happen" emails but I liked most of the sentiments so I'm doing what I want with it.
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Tal k slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN! .. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you 've made a mist ake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Tal k slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN! .. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you 've made a mist ake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Still Summer Here!
Monday August 24, 2009
We got out of bed at 8, ate breakfast, Giselle cleaned her room and Paul cleaned the playroom and they played outside until 9 am. Then they came inside and started school for the day. Paul finished up about 9:45 (he was goofing off for a bit while I was outside watering plants) and Giselle got everything but her spelling done by noon. Then we packed up our pool bag and our water bottles and headed for Northwest Municipal Pool for the Annual Not-Back-To-School Homeschool Pool Party (see the picture in the post from earlier today). Giselle finished her spelling on the drive there and we stayed at the pool until 5:30. We were actually a bit disappointed with this year's Party turnout - 200 kids per the lifeguard's count - almost half the size of last year's and last year was pretty scant too. Then we stopped for dinner at Kerby Lane Cafe (pancakes for the kids) to wait out the traffic. We got home in time to play outside and do some more watering before bedtime prep and reading time.
Tomorrow we're taking Joe to Krause Springs - our pictures from going earlier this summer looked like so much fun that he wanted us to take him! We'll start school a little early at 8:30, head out at 9:30, and do some more school in the car. What she doesn't get done tomorrow she can bump to Wed if she wants.
We got out of bed at 8, ate breakfast, Giselle cleaned her room and Paul cleaned the playroom and they played outside until 9 am. Then they came inside and started school for the day. Paul finished up about 9:45 (he was goofing off for a bit while I was outside watering plants) and Giselle got everything but her spelling done by noon. Then we packed up our pool bag and our water bottles and headed for Northwest Municipal Pool for the Annual Not-Back-To-School Homeschool Pool Party (see the picture in the post from earlier today). Giselle finished her spelling on the drive there and we stayed at the pool until 5:30. We were actually a bit disappointed with this year's Party turnout - 200 kids per the lifeguard's count - almost half the size of last year's and last year was pretty scant too. Then we stopped for dinner at Kerby Lane Cafe (pancakes for the kids) to wait out the traffic. We got home in time to play outside and do some more watering before bedtime prep and reading time.
Tomorrow we're taking Joe to Krause Springs - our pictures from going earlier this summer looked like so much fun that he wanted us to take him! We'll start school a little early at 8:30, head out at 9:30, and do some more school in the car. What she doesn't get done tomorrow she can bump to Wed if she wants.
The Not Back To School Pool Party 2009
Only home schoolers allowed
The Not-Back-To-School Party is an annual homeschool event (going on for over 12 years) where all the homeschoolers meet up at a city pool and throw a big huge pool party on the first day of public school. Kind of a blatent "Nya nya!" thing since it's still in the upper 90's here and those ps kids'll have homework when they get off the bus and we'll all still be at the pool where we've been since noon.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Vitamin C - the anti vitamin!
It's an antihistamine, an antibiotic, an antiviral, an anti-inflammatory, an antipyretic, and an antitoxin! Vitamin C is the anti vitamin!
DoctorYourself.com - Vitamin C Therapeutics
http://www.doctoryourself.com/allergies.html
DoctorYourself.com - Vitamin C Therapeutics
http://www.doctoryourself.com/allergies.html
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sugar substitutes and the potential danger of Splenda
I looked into what sweetener Sonic uses in their flavored teas. It's not listed on the web site but I called corporate and was told that it's sucralose, aka Splenda.
SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener, or sucralose, is made from a process that begins with sugar through a patented, multi-step process that selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. The result is an exceptionally stable sweetener without the calories found in sugar. After consumption, 70 to 80% of sucralose passes through the body without being broken down for energy.
I investigated further and came up with this: Sugar substitutes and the potential danger of Splenda .
I guess I'm not getting my half and half peach tea anymore, instead I'll get the plain peach tea and add my own organic agave nectar. Then again, who knows what the peach flavor is. I guess I'll go back to making my own organic peach tea with agave at home. I'll just reuse the giant styrofoam cup from Sonic - you can't go wrong with 44 oz of iced tea!
SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener, or sucralose, is made from a process that begins with sugar through a patented, multi-step process that selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. The result is an exceptionally stable sweetener without the calories found in sugar. After consumption, 70 to 80% of sucralose passes through the body without being broken down for energy.
I investigated further and came up with this: Sugar substitutes and the potential danger of Splenda .
I guess I'm not getting my half and half peach tea anymore, instead I'll get the plain peach tea and add my own organic agave nectar. Then again, who knows what the peach flavor is. I guess I'll go back to making my own organic peach tea with agave at home. I'll just reuse the giant styrofoam cup from Sonic - you can't go wrong with 44 oz of iced tea!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Going to California
Thursday, August 20, 2009
2nd lead poisoning case hits China, 1,300 sick
2nd lead poisoning case hits China, 1,300 sick - Yahoo! News
And I'm supposed to trust the safety of organic food coming from China?!?! If this crap is in the air then it's in the rain and it's on the food that grows there, organic or not. And it's in the fish that grow in the water there. And it's in the meat from the animals that eat the food that's grown there.
People, to be assured of the safety of the food you eat it in the US you must buy locally (preferably organic) and support the family farms!
And I'm supposed to trust the safety of organic food coming from China?!?! If this crap is in the air then it's in the rain and it's on the food that grows there, organic or not. And it's in the fish that grow in the water there. And it's in the meat from the animals that eat the food that's grown there.
People, to be assured of the safety of the food you eat it in the US you must buy locally (preferably organic) and support the family farms!
coming back?
Now that my phone is maybe possibly correctly posting to Casa De Galletti, I may be posting here more often.
Maybe.
I'll have to see if the pictures come through.
Maybe.
I'll have to see if the pictures come through.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Another funeral
We aren't going to John Hughes' funeral but I'll rent 16 Candles this weekend in his honor. WGN should run a marthon of his movies since almost all of them were filmed in Chicago. A woman who was a teen when The Breakfast Club came out became pen pals with him. The following is a link to her wonderful tribute to him http://wellknowwhenwegetthere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-john-hughes.html
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
absent
Sorry I haven't been here. When I've been online, I've been over on facebook hanging out with all of my old friends and some of my newer friends too. When I haven't been online we've been going to pools, going to VBS, going to Houston, and going to more pools, and playing with friends.
Tomorrow night is The Wiggles concert - we are SO excited!!
Tomorrow night is The Wiggles concert - we are SO excited!!
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