The following is a great little article "written" by my 2-year old son for our practice newsletter! For being only 2, he sure does have some great advice!
"Yahoo! Summer is finally here! It’s time to make mud pies (eat ‘em when nobody’s looking), pick flowers out of mom’s garden and put worms in my pockets for safekeeping! It’s also time for sunshine, swimming, riding my bike and a whole lot of safety rules at my house! Now that I’m two, I notice a lot more… I’ve been observing and listening to what mom and dad are saying as the weather warms up, and I have some great tips to share with you!
First, let me address Sunshine. Unfiltered rays from the sun are essential for optimal health. The sun’s rays help our bodies make Vitamin D, an absolute essential for health—it’s critical in preventing cancer. Vitamin D is found in some foods like eggs and fatty fish, but it’s made very easily and efficiently by exposing your skin (especially face and hands) to the sun regularly. Wellness experts agree that the best way to do this is NOT sitting out for hours in the midday sun! Rather, it’s getting out in the sun earlier or later in the day when the sun’s rays aren’t so intense. And those same experts also say, “No sunscreen” for a few minutes in the sun is the only way for this to work. You can’t make vitamin D if you’re blocking the rays from penetrating your skin!
Now I know a lot of you grown-ups are flipping out right now about skin cancer. I understand. Let me repeat 2 things: 1) regular "gentle" exposure to the sun is a physiological requirement! and 2) I'd be WAY more worried about developing skin cancer if I were cooking myself in toxic sunscreen... baking those chemicals right into my cells. GROSS! When it’s time to protect your skin from intense rays, be very careful what you choose to put on your skin. Think about it this way: if you’re slathering on goop that’s full of chemicals, toxins and petroleum products, the sun actually ‘bakes’ that crud right into your skin… right into the cells and tissues of your body. Very, very scary… and sad that more grown-ups don’t know about this.
My mom has used various ‘clean’ products over the years that are all very effective for sun protection. It’s just a matter of finding one you like. Mom likes Sun Spray, made by the company Kiss My Face. She says “it’s not perfect, but it’s way better than most of the junk out there!”
So, as far as protecting against cancer, mom's philosophy has always been: 'Give your body it's physiological requirements in their purest form in order to create optimal health. Always increase purity and sufficiency while decreasing toxicity and deficiency. Cancer can't live in an optimally healthy environment. Simple." I hope I'm as smart as my mom some day!
Next time, I'll talk about bug spray! BUGS... my favorite!"
That's my boy! : ) Dr. C
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
'Attachment' Snuggles
My husband and I have practiced attachment parenting ever since we became parents! Although there have been many nights (and groggy mornings!) when we've questioned our sanity, I must say that one of my favorite aspects of this lifestyle choice is sibling co-sleeping/family bed.
Our kids are 5 and 2, so it still works out perfectly for our family. The best part of the sleeping arrangements is that the kids are in bed, together, by 7pm. It's during these precious hours of angelic faces and peaceful calmness that my husband and I fall more deeply in love with our little munchkins - they look so content and loving! We have witnessed them in every hilarious combination of strange contortions and intertwined positions... but mostly lots of hugs and snuggles. Needless to say, we have a growing collection of photographs of sleeping children!
It was long before having children that we knew attachment parenting was the right choice for our family - it's completely congruent with our philosophy of health & wellness, and life in general. When I was pregnant with our son, I had read several books and articles about sibling co-sleeping. The prevailing theme (in the type of parenting philosophy books I instinctively gravitate toward) was that siblings who sleep in the same bed share an incredibly deep bond and a profound connection with each other throughout life. What mother doesn't hope for that?! OK, there was a little selfishness in the decision, too... I had also read that co-sleeping siblings, and those who share a family bed, are significantly less likely to quarrel, have power struggles, taunt and tease each other, etc. Again, what mother doesnt' desperately hope for that???!!!
By the way, I had also read from several sources that co-sleeping and the family bed cause NO harm to a growing child's independence or sexual development... in fact, quite the opposite. Typically, children raised in attachment parenting families demonstrate great independence, high self-esteem and confidence in themselves.
So, who knows how they'd be if we didn't share a family bed? Who knows how long this magical stage will last? Not me. I've learned to just appreciate what today gives me, since God knows I can't control what will happen tomorrow! For today, I am thoroughly convinced that the tenets of attachment parenting are perfectly suited for our family. And I'm thrilled with the incredible, adorable connection our kids have to each other. At last glance, our two angels (while they're sleeping ,at least!) are cozied up to each other, sound asleep, surrounded by a dozen books that big sister is proud to read to little brother every night! Absolutley priceless!
Our kids are 5 and 2, so it still works out perfectly for our family. The best part of the sleeping arrangements is that the kids are in bed, together, by 7pm. It's during these precious hours of angelic faces and peaceful calmness that my husband and I fall more deeply in love with our little munchkins - they look so content and loving! We have witnessed them in every hilarious combination of strange contortions and intertwined positions... but mostly lots of hugs and snuggles. Needless to say, we have a growing collection of photographs of sleeping children!
It was long before having children that we knew attachment parenting was the right choice for our family - it's completely congruent with our philosophy of health & wellness, and life in general. When I was pregnant with our son, I had read several books and articles about sibling co-sleeping. The prevailing theme (in the type of parenting philosophy books I instinctively gravitate toward) was that siblings who sleep in the same bed share an incredibly deep bond and a profound connection with each other throughout life. What mother doesn't hope for that?! OK, there was a little selfishness in the decision, too... I had also read that co-sleeping siblings, and those who share a family bed, are significantly less likely to quarrel, have power struggles, taunt and tease each other, etc. Again, what mother doesnt' desperately hope for that???!!!
By the way, I had also read from several sources that co-sleeping and the family bed cause NO harm to a growing child's independence or sexual development... in fact, quite the opposite. Typically, children raised in attachment parenting families demonstrate great independence, high self-esteem and confidence in themselves.
So, who knows how they'd be if we didn't share a family bed? Who knows how long this magical stage will last? Not me. I've learned to just appreciate what today gives me, since God knows I can't control what will happen tomorrow! For today, I am thoroughly convinced that the tenets of attachment parenting are perfectly suited for our family. And I'm thrilled with the incredible, adorable connection our kids have to each other. At last glance, our two angels (while they're sleeping ,at least!) are cozied up to each other, sound asleep, surrounded by a dozen books that big sister is proud to read to little brother every night! Absolutley priceless!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Our Kids ARE Human, Afterall!
Yesterday was field day at school... once again, "celebrated" with lots of junk food! Throughout the day, the kids were 'treated' to popsicles (the high fructose corn syrup kind), popcorn, juice (again, the high fructose corn syrup & artificial everything kind!), pizza, brownies and take-home bag of packaged sugar in various shapes... commonly referred to as candy! Oh, apparently there was fruit for the kids, too. Wonders never cease!
I arrived shortly after lunch and was greeted by a mom exclaiming, "Wow, your daughter can really pound the pizza!" She continued, "I told her before she could have a second piece that she needed to have some fruit... and she said, 'sure, I'll have fruit - then I'll have more pizza, OK?' " This was just one more example of parents and teachers who, once they get to know my health and nutrition philosophy, are all too happy to inform me when my children have strayed from the straight and narrow path of perfect nutritional existence!
An example from early in the school year (that really burned my buns) was a mom surprising her son and the rest of the class with an enormous birthday cake for her son's imaginary friend!!!! ????? Being early in the year, and following a classmate's birthday celebration the day before, I told the teacher that my daughter doesn't usually eat that kind of food and I'd rather keep it that way. When I arrived to pick her up that afternoon, the teacher said, "I don't know what you were talking about... she was licking the cake pan clean!"
To both of these otherwise intelligent women I say, "DUH!!!!" Of course our kids are going to eat cake, pizza and all sorts of non-health creating junk when you put it in front of their faces or offer it up on a plate to them!!! They are human, afterall! Shoot, I'm a Wellness 'expert', for cryin' out loud, and I still have a major challenge with this!! I have my feet firmly planted in reality when it comes to my daughter's food choices - if you offer her sweets or carbs, stand back... get ready to watch the show!
My point is twofold: 1) serve up healthy options first, and 2) out of sight, out of mind! If it's not there, they're not so conditioned to eating it regularly. In our house, you've got to really work for some less-healthy options! You actually need to get in the car and drive several minutes to a store. Junk is not on our regular shopping list. I'm not saying we're perfect - far from it! We've just chosen to remove the most toxic choices from our 'menu' and re-define 'treats' for our kids. When you're not used to the highly processed junk on the market today, it's amazing how sweet things like organic yogurt, granola, fresh berries and real-fruit 'popsicles' can taste!
I arrived shortly after lunch and was greeted by a mom exclaiming, "Wow, your daughter can really pound the pizza!" She continued, "I told her before she could have a second piece that she needed to have some fruit... and she said, 'sure, I'll have fruit - then I'll have more pizza, OK?' " This was just one more example of parents and teachers who, once they get to know my health and nutrition philosophy, are all too happy to inform me when my children have strayed from the straight and narrow path of perfect nutritional existence!
An example from early in the school year (that really burned my buns) was a mom surprising her son and the rest of the class with an enormous birthday cake for her son's imaginary friend!!!! ????? Being early in the year, and following a classmate's birthday celebration the day before, I told the teacher that my daughter doesn't usually eat that kind of food and I'd rather keep it that way. When I arrived to pick her up that afternoon, the teacher said, "I don't know what you were talking about... she was licking the cake pan clean!"
To both of these otherwise intelligent women I say, "DUH!!!!" Of course our kids are going to eat cake, pizza and all sorts of non-health creating junk when you put it in front of their faces or offer it up on a plate to them!!! They are human, afterall! Shoot, I'm a Wellness 'expert', for cryin' out loud, and I still have a major challenge with this!! I have my feet firmly planted in reality when it comes to my daughter's food choices - if you offer her sweets or carbs, stand back... get ready to watch the show!
My point is twofold: 1) serve up healthy options first, and 2) out of sight, out of mind! If it's not there, they're not so conditioned to eating it regularly. In our house, you've got to really work for some less-healthy options! You actually need to get in the car and drive several minutes to a store. Junk is not on our regular shopping list. I'm not saying we're perfect - far from it! We've just chosen to remove the most toxic choices from our 'menu' and re-define 'treats' for our kids. When you're not used to the highly processed junk on the market today, it's amazing how sweet things like organic yogurt, granola, fresh berries and real-fruit 'popsicles' can taste!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
ENOUGH with Birthday Land already!!!
Today, my daughter's class celebrated the 5th birthday in as many days. Yikes - she's beginning to think that cake is part of the food pyramid! Afterall, "all the mommies are bringing in cake... it can't be junk, mom!" I went from having a kid at the start of school who had cake a couple times a year. Now, she's convinced she has the meanest mother in the entire world because I don't serve it up on a daily basis! Gimme' a break!
These poor little kids' adrenal glands are taking quite a beating in the last few weeks of school! Days are longer and are filled with class parties, field trips, recognition & awards events, field days... all complete with plenty of "treats" - ie. JUNK! How did we ever come up with the commonly accepted notion that things so blatantly bad for us should be considered "treats"??? How strange! "Honey, since you've been SO good, here's some neurotoxic poison, although delicious, it's known to destroy your health. It directly contributes to obesity, every deadly disease of lifestyle like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, it will harm your immune system and lead to a chronic underlying state of inflammation. Enjoy it sweetie - you're such a great kid!"
Hey, I'm all about sampling some delicious goodies (I don't think I've ever met a truffle I didn't like!) ... BUT, you know my stance on that! Health comes first. Period. When we choose 'treats' we shouldn't confuse that with healthy choices... or as a reward. It's simply a choice - maybe a social choice, for example. Remember that health comes from regularly making choices that are sufficient and pure. Birthday cake is rarely either
I half-jokingly suggested to the teachers that on the day a birthday is being celebrated in class, we could serve some organic raw veggies and fruit first! The laughter was deafening! Really though, as moms, we could move in this direction. If we know our kids are going to have sweets or junk at some point in the day, we can make sure that their other meals and snacks are much healthier choices. At the very least, give 'em lots of water to drink so they can get rid of all those toxins more easily!
The messages directed at kids are strange and confusing enough these days. As moms, we can make this one much more clear for them!
These poor little kids' adrenal glands are taking quite a beating in the last few weeks of school! Days are longer and are filled with class parties, field trips, recognition & awards events, field days... all complete with plenty of "treats" - ie. JUNK! How did we ever come up with the commonly accepted notion that things so blatantly bad for us should be considered "treats"??? How strange! "Honey, since you've been SO good, here's some neurotoxic poison, although delicious, it's known to destroy your health. It directly contributes to obesity, every deadly disease of lifestyle like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, it will harm your immune system and lead to a chronic underlying state of inflammation. Enjoy it sweetie - you're such a great kid!"
Hey, I'm all about sampling some delicious goodies (I don't think I've ever met a truffle I didn't like!) ... BUT, you know my stance on that! Health comes first. Period. When we choose 'treats' we shouldn't confuse that with healthy choices... or as a reward. It's simply a choice - maybe a social choice, for example. Remember that health comes from regularly making choices that are sufficient and pure. Birthday cake is rarely either
I half-jokingly suggested to the teachers that on the day a birthday is being celebrated in class, we could serve some organic raw veggies and fruit first! The laughter was deafening! Really though, as moms, we could move in this direction. If we know our kids are going to have sweets or junk at some point in the day, we can make sure that their other meals and snacks are much healthier choices. At the very least, give 'em lots of water to drink so they can get rid of all those toxins more easily!
The messages directed at kids are strange and confusing enough these days. As moms, we can make this one much more clear for them!
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