Lice Away

School is back in session and so are the lice. I never had lice until I was 34. And since then, I have had it probably 8 times. It is a constant battle around here.
By now, I have a routine down. We mainly use LiceFree, a pesticide-free homeopathic gel that has worked well for us. In a pinch, I use olive oil, but it is messy and leaves hair soft, yet very greasy looking. The LiceFree works by dehydrating the lice, so it actually leaves hair quite dry, but that is fairly easily remedied.
Anyways, dealing with lice no longer creeps me out, but it is time consuming and expensive. To treat me and the kids costs about $30, and takes about 2 hours to treat us, about 3 loads of laundry, and a thorough vacuuming. In other words, it takes up most of my day each time we find them.
So, my new goal now is to prevent them from even getting on us in the first place. Lice seem to thrive here in Portland, especially with young kids who are likely to be very close to one another. And since going anti-social doesn't seem like the right option, I think all I can do is try to make our hair unappealing to those little buggers.
After reading various blog pages about lice prevention sprays, I decided to make one to try out. I got a spray bottle and added 30 drops of lavender oil and 30 drops of rosemary oil for each 4 ounces of distilled water. I call it Lice Away. It doesn't smell wonderful, but it doesn't smell terrible either. My goal is to spray on all of our heads each morning, hoping to keep the lice away. I guess I will let you know how it works...
Anyone else have a wonderful lice deterrent recipe that they can share? I wouldn't mind having a few tricks up my sleeve.... Pin It Now!

Why I am Always So Tired (Or Tales of a Zombie Mama)

For my birthday I got a fitbit flex. I love it. Have you heard of these? It is a bracelet you wear and it tracks your exercise as well as your sleep (including the number of times you are awake each night). I have always been a terrible sleeper. I often get insomnia at night and have trouble falling asleep, and despite the number of hours I am actually in bed, I usually have trouble waking up and feel exhausted most of each day. When the kiddos were little, I expected to be exhausted and didn't think twice about it. But now that my children are sleeping through the night, I feel like I should be waking up rested. I never expected to still feel like I had a newborn when my youngest was 3 and 1/2.
But now I know why I do.
According to my fitbit, I am waking up between 12 and 37 times a night. Yes-- 37!!! This doesn't mean I am up and out of bed that much, just restless and not fully asleep. When I am "sleeping" for 7 hours, and waking up 37 times, that means I am only really sleeping in 10-15 minutes stretches. Yikes.
Well, at least this explains why I am constantly tired. Now I just need to figure out how to be a better sleeper. Doing some brief internet research leads me to believe that my chronic back pain (which was made worse by my August car accident) is probably at least partially to blame. The pain is probably just enough to make me uncomfortable, and move around, partially waking me in the process.

So now I am on a quest to be a better sleeper. 

How do you help yourself fall into a restful sleep?

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A Spring Cleanse

For months I have been talking about doing a cleanse, but kept putting it off for one reason or another. I finally decided it was time to commit and chose this week to begin my cleanse. My cleanse is 5 days of: no gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, or anything processed, with green juice every morning,  followed by 5 more days of no gluten. It's pretty short, I realize, but hey- I am trying to be realistic here.
Really, this is how I should be eating most of the time. Lots of fruits and veggies with some whole grains mixed in. And in reality, I do eat like this plenty of the time... Usually our dinners are very healthy and breakfast on most days is as well. The times when I turn to bread, cereal, or cheese and crackers are times when I am busy, exhausted and starving, and just need something to eat quickly. Which happens more frequently than I would like to admit....
So far, this is only day 3 of my cleanse, and I am feeling good, but I also feel like I have spent so much time preparing food. Making a quinoa salad and beet salad so that I could have easy lunches after coming home from work; prepping veggies for juice in the morning when I leave the house at 6:30 and also have to pack lunches, shower and get kids ready for school; Making veggie sushi rolls for a quick and easy snack; crockpotting beans for dinner; and making muffins so the kids had something they would eat for breakfast (because they want no part in my green juice and sauteed veggies in the morning). This along with all of my other, regular food prep. And this has only gotten us through a couple of days.
So, my point? I am happy to be cleansing and I wish I could eat like this all of the time. But, I feel like I would need to hire a chef, sleep less, or get much better at my time management skills. I think part of it is making it a routine, and, I think I can try and keep that in mind for the future. Maybe cooking healthy food for my lunches once or twice a week can become part of the routine, and keeping veggies already cut up to snack on would be wise as well.
How do you manage to eat healthy when your schedule is busy?

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I Juice, Do You? The Pros (and Cons) of Juicing

I have been on a huge juicing kick lately. I love it.
OK, lets actually back up and start at the beginning....
I got a juicer for Christmas in 2011, so about a year and a half ago. I used it some, mostly for fruit juice, but then sort of forgot about it, and that was that.
Recently, I have stumbled upon many a blog-website-article-etc. that talked about the "magical" powers of juicing. So I decided to give it another go-round. And I am in love.
A small glass of green juice in the morning gives me a huge boost. Here is a typical morning juice for me:

• 3 carrots
• 3 stalk celery
• 2 handfuls spinach
• 4-5 kale leaves
• 1/2 - 1 apple
• 2 tablespoons of parsley

OK, I'll be honest. This not-so-sweet juice took some getting used to, and it also took a while to figure out what I couldn't put too much of in (for example, lots of carrots is still good, but a whole lot of spinach, not so much). And really, this isn't the best tasting thing in the world to me (at least not yet), but it tastes good, and I know how many nutrients are in there, and that makes it all worth it. I think I want to experiment with some new recipes, especially since summer fruits and veggies are starting to emerge at the farmers market. I am sure my skills will improve with practice.

Here are my problems with juicing:

1. You have to put a TON of stuff in to get a wee amount of juice. Check this out:

That colander is full of veggies and fruit, overflowing actually. All that went into the juicer and that is how much juice came out. I know it is potent, and packed full of nutrients, but a small glass of fresh juice can be pretty spendy!

2.  The juicer is a huge pain to clean out. OK, not a huge pain, but it is time consuming, and because of that, I don't have time to juice on the days that I work.

3. My kids will have nothing to do with it. I was hoping that this would be a great healthy addition for the whole family, but so far, I am the only one who will drink it! Any tips of getting wee ones to drink their veggie juice?

But, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I am loving juicing and how it makes me feel. And, I realized that our ducks will eat the leftover juiced veggies. Cool right?

Do you juice? Do you have any favorite juice recipes to share? I can't wait to try some new ones!
Also, wondering if I make a big batch of juice one day, is it OK to leave it in the fridge to drink over the next couple of days, or does that deplete a lot of the nutrients? I would love to find a way to make this a more convenient process for the days that I work. Thanks! Pin It Now!

Get the Lead Out. Seriously.

Lead is a metal found commonly throughout the environment... it is found in pre-1978 paint, household dust, soil, plumbing, cosmetics, pottery, and all of those lovely "made in china" toys that we keep hearing about. Lead poses the highest risk for young children and pregnant ladies. Lead exposure is linked to lowered IQ and mental retardation, as well as kidney problems. Lead can also be stored in your bones and released throughout your life! Yuck.
So, how to reduce you and your family's lead exposure? Here are a few tips:

• Run the water from your tap until it becomes noticeable colder (usually about 30 seconds) before drinking. Also this is contrary to my save-water preaching, it will reduce your chance of lead exposure.
• Use cold water for cooking (never consume the hot water out of your tap as this is where the lead will lurk).
• Boiling water will not remove lead. However, there are water filtration systems that will. We use the New Wave Enviro 10 Stage filter and love it.
• Get your water tested for lead. Many cities, like Portland, will test it for free. Check to see if your city does.
• Don't let your child eat paint, soil with paint chips, and use all painted toys with caution. Seriously, it is a scary lead-world out there. It's nearly impossible to keep up with all of the recalls, but try to avoid toys made it China and do some research (if you can find the time!)

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Learn an Herb: Heal All

Last summer I started a "Learn an Herb" series (OK, and by series, I mean I got around to doing 2 posts. But that's sort of a series, right?). Anyways, now that new growth (and herbs) are springing up everywhere, I decided that it's time to continue on learning some herbs. I do use herbs medicinally, but not as often as I would like. I am hoping that these posts will get me recognizing more of the plants that grow around me and get me motivated to try out some herbs for new uses.
So, today's herb is Heal All (prunella vulgaris), also known by self heal and about a million other names. This plant is a member of the mint family (which you can tell by its square shaped stem), and at least where I live, it thrives and is actually sort of an invasive weed. However, the name "heal all" is not in jest.... this plant, at least anecdotally, seems to be able to cure (or at least help) just about any ailment in existence.
Heal all has antibacterial properties and can be used externally for cut, bites, scratches and burns. It can also be taken internally for illnesses that one would normally take antibiotics to cure. It has been used to treat fevers, diarrhea, sore throat and mouth, vaginal problems, liver and heart weakness, high blood pressure, conjunctivitis and a variety of stomach problems. It can help reduce swollen glands and tumors and cure mastitis. Its antiviral properties have shown great promise in the treatment of herpes, HIV, cancer and diabetes.
Wow. Sounds like a miracle drug, right? I'm not quite sure how strong its healing powers are, but it seems like if something isn't quite right, give heal all a try. The web-based research that I did suggested that this herb should be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding (but it seems that it is only because no research has been done on its safety, not because it has dangerous known side effects). Bummer for me..... I was hoping to give it a whirl this summer.
Have you ever used heal all? Does it grow where you live? Pin It Now!

Quick Tips: Handwashing

 Tis the season for germ spreading and hand washing, right? Here are a couple of quick tips from Mindy Pennybackers Do One Green Thing that will help you make some more informed choices when choosing what to wash your hands with.

When possible, avoid regular handwashing with antibacterial soaps containing triclosan because this chemical spreads antibiotic-resistant bacteria (which means that when we actually ARE sick and really do need those antibiotics, they may no longer work!). Also, washing with antibiotic soap is no more effective than soap and water at killing germs anyways, so it is really unnecessary. Lastly, the production of triclosan (to put in the soap) releases dioxins into the environment, which can cause cancer. Yuck.

One last quick tip: when choosing between bar and liquid soap, choose the bar version. Bar soap has less ingredients AND less packaging than liquid soap, making it better for the environment, and probably better for your health as well.

Wash well! Pin It Now!

Dangers of Pesticides

A recent study has linked pesticides to ADHD in children... one more reason to support organic farming!

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Learn an Herb: Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has been springing up and thriving everywhere in my yard this year. I know that many would consider it to be a "weed", but it smells delightful and has many reported uses (none of which I have yet tried!)
Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family, but it smells lemony and not at all minty. It is reported to have calming properties, decreasing anxiety and promoting sleep. It can also help reduce indigestion. A cup of lemon balm tea after dinner sounds like a perfect idea!
Lemon balm also has antibacterial properties and can inhibit bacteria and viruses. It can be used topically for treatment of eczema and cold sores, and a fresh leaf can be placed over bug bites. It also helps to repel pesky insects like mosquitoes!
I have also found some evidence that links use of lemon balm to improvements in asthma and bronchitis. Additionally, lemon balm can be a great culinary addition.
This herb is not recommended for medicinal use during pregnancy (culinary use is fine). Pin It Now!

Cell Phone Safety

While at my local library, I got my hands onto a freaky pamphlet about cell phones and thought I would pass along some of the information; in general, this pamphlet discusses the great concerns of cell phone use, especially for children. Cell phones release both heat and radiation, both of which can have devastating effects on the body. Studies have shown correlations between cell phone use and cancer, including a correlation between brain tumors and the side of the head that a person normally holds their cell phone. Other safety concerns include eye and ear damage from the heat and radiation emitted.
Even scarier is that studies have shown similar effects from wifi.... not sure about you other blogging mamas, but we have wifi in our house, which means we are all being exposed to it on an extremely consistent basis.
If cell phones and radio frequencies are so bad for us, why don't we hear about it more often? Because, like almost everything else in our society, there are people out there making huge profits from the use of this technology.. and they need us to believe it is safe. Think about smoking and how long it took for the public to become aware of the hazards of tobacco use. Yikes!
So, what should we do? I know that I am not planning on getting rid of my cell phone anytime soon, but I do plan on keeping a landline and avoiding my cell phone as much as possible. Studies also suggest using a headset at all times when using a cell phone and NOT keeping your cell phone in your pocket or on your body (in a purse or bag is better). As I said, this info is fairly new to me, so I am going to try and do some more research (especially on the wifi safety part!) For more info, check out the wireless watch blog. Pin It Now!

Reducing Your Environmental Cancer Risk

For a quick list of tips on how to reduce your risk of cancer, check out the most recent report by the President's Cancer Panel. Many of the tips are relatively easy (but oftentimes more expensive) such as choosing organically grown food, not using plastics that contain BPA, and filtering your drinking water. Other tips include using a headset with your cell phone, wearing sunblock and having your home tested for radon.
Cancer seems to be coming at us from every angle these days, so the more risks you can reduce or eliminate, the better. Take 3 minutes to read the report and then challenge yourself to make a lifestyle change that will reduce your risk of cancer. Pin It Now!

Where Does Formaldehyde Hide?

One of my students gave a presentation on formaldehyde last term, and I haven't been able to get it out of the back of my head since. We have all heard of formaldehyde-- it's the chemical we use to preserve frogs for dissection biology class and the chemical we use to embalm our loved ones after they die. But did you know it's also in, well,... just about everything?? Formaldehyde preserves against bacteria, so humans have found all sorts of uses for this substances including: cosmetics and personal hygiene products, vaccines, clothes, plastics, pill coatings that promote maximum absorption, building materials, flooring, furniture, car components, inks, and just about every other place you could think of.
So, what's the big deal? Formaldehyde can cause several short term effects including burning sensations, coughing, weezing, skin irritation, and nausea. For those who have long term exposure to this chemical (with the list above that seems like just about all of us!), the EPA has classified formaldehyde as a probably carcinogen.
So, what can you do? First off, stop sleeping on the stuff. Any fabrics that are permanent-press or wrinkle-free contain formaldehyde. This means that almost all bed sheets contain formaldehyde, giving you 7-9 hours of exposure each and every night. To avoid formaldehyde-ridden sheets, stick to cotton flannel or jersey-knit; these fabrics are not treated with formaldehyde-laden resin as they are meant to be soft and not 'crisp' (to read more about this check out Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck). Also look for personal care products and building products that are labeled formaldeyde-free. Lastly, when you are in the market for new furniture, try to look for solid wood pieces or used furniture. Used furniture (older than 10 years) will have off-gassed a good portion of the formaldehyde it contains, and will be less toxic to your health. Pin It Now!

No More Fleas Please?

Kids love pets. We have 7 of them (yes, I did type that correctly, 7); 4 dogs and 3 cats. So, fleas are a fairly significant issue at our house. We have never used actual flea collars for our pets, but today I read some alarming news about the dangers of using them, particularly with children in the home. In short, residues can come off of the collars onto the animals fur. When children (or adults!) pet the animals, they can come into contact with this toxic residue, posing a risk for both neurological disorders and cancer.
You can read more information about the study here.
For a list of non-invasive and kid-friendly ways to combat fleas, check out green paws.
And, to sign a NRDC petition to the EPA to prohibit the use of these toxic chemicals in products used on our pets and near our children, click here.
We have been using Advantage flea control on our pets, although we only use it a few times a year instead of the recommended dose each month (in hopes to reduce the amount of chemicals entering our home). Although the vet said that these products are perfectly safe for both animals and humans, I still have my doubts. That said, I have not had much luck finding any reliable sources of information on the dangers posed by Advantage, frontline, etc. If anyone knows of a good source of information on these flea products, I would love some insight. Until then. I will keep searching.
And, as for the fleas..... after reading this most recent information, I think that I may try and forgo the flea meds for awhile and start a strict regiment of brushing, bathing, and laundering dog beds. We do all these things, but not every 2 weeks (especially the bathing part.... 7 animals.... ugg.) I thought about adopting a flea-eating animal, but apparently nothing eats fleas. Go figure. Pin It Now!

The Scoop on BPA

You have probably heard about BPA, but there is a good chance that you don't really know what it is or what it does. Today I will give a run-down on the basics of BPA so that you and your family can be more informed.
BPA, aka Bisphenol A, is a chemical that is used to harden plastic and it seems to be found everywhere; sippy cups, coffee mugs, baby bottles, linings for the inside of food cans (including infant formula), and more. 2.3 billion pounds of this stuff are manufactured each year in the US alone!! Unfortunately, like almost everything else we read about lately, BPA has been linked to several health problems.
It was discovered in 1936 that BPA mimics estrogen, and binds to the same receptors as female hormones. This allows BPA to disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with cell functioning. This chemical has also been linked with obesity, diabetes, liver problems, cancer, heart disease and is a possible neurotoxin. The amounts of BPA that leach from baby bottles during normal use have caused harm to animals during laboratory tests. Yet it is still allowed to be used in plasctis that we give to our developing children. Yikes.
BPA ingestion can cause problems at very low levels, only 2-5 ppb (parts per billion), and seems to be a normal part of the everyday American diet. Yuck. Over 93% of participants in a scientific study were found to have BPA in their urine. BPA breaks down quickly within the body; however, the fact that so many of the sampled individuals had BPA in their system means that most of us are exposed to it on a frequent basis. It is likely that the majority of the BPA we are ingesting is coming from polluted water; plastics that are improperly disposed of into lakes and rivers can leach into the water and pollute drinking water sources as well as aquatic life. Plastics that are put into landfills de not decompose which means that if the landfill's seal ever breaks, BPA (and plenty of other nasty stuff) can easily leach into the groundwater and pollute underground water sources.
The chemical companies who make BPA and products containing BPA would like us to believe that these products are safe and argue that until is it proved (without a doubt) that BPA exposure results in harmful health effects, it should be continued to be used. I, however, as most other parents and sane individuals I know, would argue that if something has been linked to health problems, it should be pulled off the shelves and not allowed back on until it has been proved (without a doubt) to be 100% safe. In the meantime, I have made the choice to not use bottles, sippy cups, or food storage containers that contain BPA, particularly when I am giving it to my toddler. Many companies are switching to BPA-free alternatives and BPA-bans are on the rise. Until our government protects all of our health and bans the manufacturing of BPA, protect yourself and your family and chose safer alternatives.
For a good review on the history of BPA, check out:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1914410
So, how can you reduce you and your family's intake of BPA?
*First off, try and replace beverage and food containers that contain BPA with ones that do not contain BPA. Born-Free makes a wonderful BPA-free bottle (that is what we use at my home) as does Green-to-Grow. As BPA is such a hot topic lately, there are likely more brands on the market already, as well as more on the way. Glass bottles are another great option, although maybe not as great for the toddler times. There are plenty of options for BPA-free sippy cups, food storage containers, baby spoons, bowls, etc. out there. Munchkin is a brand that is available at most major grocery stores that is now BPA-free.
* Purchase a stainless steel coffee mug and stainless steel water bottles for the family. They will keep your beverages cold/hot, are durable, and won't leach harmful chemicals into your beverages! Sigg is my favorite stainless steel water bottle. They make a variety of sizes and designs, and even have ones made specifically for little ones. They are a little bit pricey, but worth every penny.
* Do not put hot food or beverages in containers that contain BPA and do not put plastics with BPA in the microwave or in the dishwasher. The heat can more easily leach the chemical from the plastic and into your food (hot liquids and foods can cause BPA to leach out 55 times faster than unheated foods and beverages).
* Focus on eating fresher! Fresh foods don't come in cans and don't come into contact with BPA. When fresh is not an option, favor dried or frozen over canned. Side note: Eden organic foods come in BPA-free cans (the only manufactured in the US)! Pin It Now!