Fun Valentine's Day Crafts

Click on this link to read about some fun Valentine's Day crafts:
http://wondertime.go.com/create-and-play/article/valentines-crafts.html

Baking Soda

(submitted by Kim)

Everyone knows this kitchen staple fights odors in the fridge. What we didn't know is just how darn useful it is everywhere else in the house.

1. Remove tape residue
Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Rub the paste onto bits of tape stuck to windows, then wipe clean.

2. Douse flames
Keep a box of baking soda in your workshop or kitchen to sprinkle on a fire if one breaks out.

3. Zap roaches
Set out a shallow dish or bowl containing equal parts sugar and baking soda. Roaches are attracted to the sugar, but the mixture is deadly to them.

4. Spot-clean a rug
Sprinkle baking soda on greasy spots and let sit for about an hour. Scrub gently with a damp sponge or brush, then vacuum to remove any leftover grime.

5. Absorb moisture
Keep an open box of baking soda in your tool cabinet to fend off moisture that could rust saws or other equipment.

6. Keep drains clear
Once a week, pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down your kitchen sink. It'll help keep your pipes clog-free.

7. Clean a shower door
Pour some baking soda on a damp sponge, wipe the door, and rinse with warm water.

8. Uncrust your grill
Sprinkle baking soda directly on an indoor or outdoor grill. Let sit overnight, then slough off the grime with a wire brush and warm water.

9. Scrub your paws
Rubbing your hands with warm water and a palmful of baking soda will remove stubborn odors.

10. Banish book odors
Seal musty-smelling books for a few weeks in a plastic bag with baking soda sprinkled inside to eliminate mildew and odors.

You Have to Check This Out!!!

Our friend Meg has started up a new business that you must check out! She is so talented and such a joy to work with! I had her do some stenciling in our new baby's nursery and just love it! She does everything from shadow boxes, nursery murals, custom frames, etc. etc.!

Check out her site! There are lots of great examples of her work!
Great gift ideas for weddings, baby gifts, etc!

http://web.mac.com/megrutledge/iWeb/Meg/Welcome%20%26%20Contact%20Me.html

Question of the Week! 1-26-08

PLACE YOUR BETS!!!

Nicole is 37 weeks pregnant! Her due date is Feb. 15, 2007.

What is your guess as to when baby Duerr will arrive? :) :)

The person who guesses the date gets a prize!

New Addition!

Aubrey Grace

12-30-07

Please welcome Olivia's new addition! :)

The Importance of Hand Washing!

(submitted by Nicole)

The dirty truth about docs who don't wash. Doctors, nurses and other health workers wash their hands only about half as often as they should, studies show. A growing movement urges patients to remind them to hit the sink.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22827499/from/ET/

Quote from article:
“We’re now making the association that people are dying of MRSA because people aren’t washing their hands,” said McGuckin."

If you have the time, this is worth reading!

(submitted by Kristen)

FYI) Article has been shortened a bit to fit on the blog.

By Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD

Vaccination is a controversial subject, and many parents worry about subjecting their children to them. Readers of my article, "Mercury on the Mind," about vaccines and dental amalgams, have asked what vaccines I would recommend their children receive. This article addresses that question. In the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12 vaccines are given to children before they reach the age of two. Providers inject them against the following:

a.. Hepatitis B
b.. Diphtheria
c.. Tetanus (lockjaw)
d.. Pertussis (whooping cough)
e.. Polio
f.. Pneumococcal infections

a.. Hemophilus influenzae type b infections
b.. Measles
c.. Mumps
d.. Rubella (German measles)
e.. Chickenpox
f.. Influenza (the flu)

Infectious disease was the leading cause of death in children 100 years ago, with diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever and pertussis accounting for most them. Today, the leading causes of death in children less than five years of age are accidents, genetic abnormalities, developmental disorders, sudden infant death syndrome and cancer. A basic tenet of modern medicine is that vaccines are the reason. There is growing evidence that this is so, but perhaps not quite in the way conventional medical wisdom would have it.

The Conventional Schedule

A 15-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the CDC decides which vaccines should be on the Childhood Immunization Schedule. It calls for one vaccine, against hepatitis B, to be given on the day of birth; seven vaccines at two months; 6 more (including booster shots) at four months; and as many as eight vaccines on the six-month well-baby visit. Before a child reaches the age of two, he or she will have received 32 vaccinations on this schedule, including four doses each of vaccines for Hemophilus influenzae type b infections, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis -- all of them given during the first 12 months of life. Seven vaccines injected into a 13-pound, two-month old infant are equivalent to 70 doses in a 130-pound adult. The schedule states, "Your child can safely receive all vaccines recommended for a particular age during one visit." Public health officials, however, have not proven that it is indeed safe to inject this many vaccines into infants. What's more, they cannot explain why, concurrent with an increasing number of vaccinations, there has been an explosion of neurologic and immune system disorders in our nation's children.

Fifty years ago, when the immunization schedule contained only four vaccines (for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and smallpox), autism was virtually unknown. First discovered in 1943, this most devastating malady, in what is now a spectrum of pervasive developmental disorders, afflicted less than 1 in 10,000 children. Today, one in every 68 American families has an autistic child. Other, less severe developmental disorders, rarely seen before the vaccine era, have also reached epidemic proportions. Four million American children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). One in six American children are now classified as "Learning Disabled." Our children are also experiencing an epidemic of>autoimmune disorders: Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and bowel disorders. There has been a 17-fold increase in Type I diabetes, from 1 in 7,100 children in the 1950s to 1 in 400 now. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis afflicts 300,000 American children. Twenty-five years ago, this disease was so rare that public health officials did not keep any statistics on it. There has been a four-fold increase in asthma, and bowel disorders in children are much more common now than they were 50 years ago.

The Deteriorating Health of Children

Health officials consider a vaccine to be safe if no bad reactions -- like seizures, intestinal obstruction or anaphylaxis -- occur acutely. The CDC has not done any studies to assess the long-term effects of its immunization schedule. To do that, one must conduct a randomized controlled trial, the lynchpin of evidenced-based medicine, where one group of children is vaccinated on the CDC's schedule and a control group is not vaccinated. Investigators then follow the two groups for a number of years (not just three to four weeks, as has been done in vaccine safety studies). Concerns that vaccinations in infants cause chronic neurologic and immune system disorders would be put to rest, and their safety certified, if the number of children who develop these diseases is the same in both groups. No such studies have been done, so vaccine proponents cannot say that vaccines are indeed as safe as they think they are. (One proponent, interviewed by Dan Rather on 60 Minutes, who has financial ties to the vaccine industry that he did not disclose, claims that vaccines "have a better safety record than vitamins." He neglected to mention that the U.S. government has paid out more than $1.5 billion in its Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to families of children who have been injured or killed by vaccines.)

There is a growing body of evidence that implicates vaccines as a causative factor in the deteriorating health of children. The hypothesis that vaccines cause neurologic and immune system disorders is a legitimate one -- vaccines given in multiple doses, close together, to very young children following the CDC's Immunization Schedule. This hypothesis should be tested by a large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trial. Rather than obediently following the government's schedule, there is now sufficient evidence, grounded in good science, to justify adopting a more user-friendly vaccination schedule. One which is in the best interests of the individual as opposed to what planners judge best for society as a whole. New knowledge in neuroimmunology (the study of how>the brain's immune system works) raises serious questions about the wisdom of injecting vaccines in children less than 2 years of age.

A Child's Best Time Table

The brain has its own specialized immune system, separate from that of the rest of the body. When a person is vaccinated, its specialized immune cells, the microglia, become activated (the blood-brain barrier notwithstanding). Multiple vaccinations spaced close together over-stimulate the microglia, causing them to release a variety of toxic elements> -- cytokines, chemokines, excitotoxins, proteases, complement, free radicals -- that damage brain cells and their synaptic connections. Researchers call the damage caused by these toxic substances "bystander injury."

Until randomized controlled trials demonstrate the safety of giving vaccines during this time of life, it would be prudent not to give any vaccinations to children until they are 2-years-old. From a risk-benefit perspective, there is growing evidence that the risk of neurologic and autoimmune diseases from vaccinations outweigh the benefits of avoiding the childhood infections that they prevent. An exception is hepatitis B vaccine for infants whose mothers test positive for this disease. A user-friendly vaccination schedule prohibits any vaccines that contain thimerosal, which is 50 percent mercury. Flu vaccines contain thimerosal, which is reason enough to avoid them. One should also avoid vaccines that contain live viruses. This includes the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine; chickenpox (varicella) vaccine; and the live-virus polio (Sabin) vaccine. This stricture would not apply to the smallpox vaccine (also a live-virus one), if a terrorist-instigated outbreak of smallpox should occur. Finally, a user-friendly vaccination schedule requires that vaccinations, after the age of two, be given no more than once every six months, one at a time, in order to allow the immune system sufficient time to recover and stabilize between shots. Which vaccines should be put on this schedule (among those that do not contain live viruses or thimerosal) is not entirely clear. The top four would be:

a.. Pertussis (acelluar -- aP -- not whole cell) vaccine.
b.. Diphtheria (D) vaccine.
c.. Tetanus (T) vaccine (the first three on this list are to be given separately, not together, as is usually the case).
d.. The Salk polio vaccine, with an inactivated (dead) virus, one that is cultured in human cells, not monkey kidney cells.

Perhaps, it should only contain these four vaccines. A good case can be made for avoiding the three other newer vaccines on the CDC's schedule: The hepatitis B, pneumococcal conjugate (PCV7) and Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines.

Your Doctor Won't Like This

Your pediatrician will not like this schedule. They are taught in medical school and residency training that childhood immunizations are essential to public health. As one pediatrician puts it, "Achieving adequate and timely vaccination of young children is the single most valuable thing a doctor can do for a patient." They do not question what their professors teach them, nor are they inclined to critically examine studies in Pediatrics and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) that tell them vaccines are safe. There were 482,000 cases of measles in the U.S in 1962, the year before a vaccine for this disease became available. Now, with all 50 states requiring that children be vaccinated against measles in order to attend school, there were only 56 cases of measles in a population of 290 million people in 2003. These facts are well known and proudly cited by vaccine proponents. What is less known, and doctors are not taught, is that the death rate for measles declined 97.7 percent during the first 60 years of> the 20th century. The mortality rate was 133 deaths per million people in the U.S. in 1900, and had dropped to 0.3 deaths per million by 1960. Measles caused less than 100 deaths a year in the U.S.> before there was a vaccine for this disease (in 1963.) The same thing happened with diphtheria and pertussis. Mortality rates dropped more than 90 percent in the early 20th century before vaccines for these diseases were introduced. This was due to better nutrition (with rapid delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables to cities and refrigeration), cleanerwater and improved sanitation (removing trash from the streets and better sewage systems), not to vaccines. The World Health Organization promotes mass vaccination, but knowing these facts states,

"The best vaccine against common infectious diseases is an adequate diet," fortified, one might add, with vitamin A. Since the measles vaccine came into widespread use in this country, this disease has virtually disappeared, and it has prevented 100 deaths a year. But now, instead, several thousand normally developing children become autistic after receiving their MMR shot. Termed "regressive autism," it accounts for about 30 percent of the 10,000 to 20,000 children who are diagnosed with autism in this country each year. To put to rest concerns that MMR vaccination might cause autism (in a small percentage of children), NEJM, in 2002, published a population-based study from Denmark, where its authors concluded, "This study provides strong evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism."

Investigators have found, for example, live measles virus in the cerebral spinal fluid in children who become autistic after MMR vaccinations. Antibodies to measles virus are elevated inchildren with autism but not in normal kids, suggesting that virus-induced autoimmunity may play a causal role. A study published in Neurology this year implicates hepatitis B vaccine as a causative factor in multiple sclerosis.

One For All

A communitarian ethic increasingly governs health care in the U.S. It places a greater value on the health of the community, on society as a whole, than on the health of particular individuals. Public health officials have put together a vaccination schedule designed to eliminate infectious diseases to which the population is prey. Officials recognize that these vaccines will harm a small percentage of (genetically susceptible) individuals, but it is for the common good. The communitarian code posits that it is morally acceptable, if necessary, to sacrifice a few for the good of the many. Or as one observer more bluntly puts it, "Individual sheep can be sheared and slaughtered if it is for the welfare of their flock." In this framework, health care providers become agents of the state charged with injecting vaccines into people that the central planners deem necessary. Physicians who remain true to their Hippocratic Oath and place the interests of their patient above that of the herd are considered to be out of step with the times, if not an anachronism. Like central planners everywhere, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) promulgates a self-serving, one-size-fits-all vaccine policy. Members of this committee have ties to vaccine makers, such that the CDC must grant them waivers from statutory conflict of interest rules. Even so, and with little evidence to show that it is safe to subject young children to the ACIP's crowded immunization schedule, states nevertheless dutifully make its vaccine recommendations compulsory.

All 50 states require children to be immunized against measles, diphtheria, Hemophilus influenzae type b, polio, and rubella in order to enroll in day care and/or public school. Forty-nine states also require vaccination against tetanus; 47, against hepatitis B and mumps; and 43 states now require vaccination against chickenpox. In order to shield themselves from any liability for making vaccinations compulsory, all states provide a medical exemption and 47, a religious exemption. Nineteen states allow a philosophical exemption. Some require only a letter from a parent and others, from a physician or church leader. (To> see the exemptions allowed in your state, their> wording and requirements,>[http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm]click> here.)

Parents, of course, can refuse vaccinations, but if they want to enroll their child in public school they will need to obtain one of these exemptions. Doctors who conclude that the risks of the government's immunization schedule outweigh its benefits are placed in a difficult position. If they counsel parents not to have their children follow it, health care plans, which track vaccine compliance as a measure of "quality," will find them wanting.

Weighing The Risks

And if their patient should contract and develop complications from the disease the vaccine would have prevented, they may find themselves confronting a lawsuit. If a child becomes autistic following a vaccination, however, the doctor is protected from any liability because the government requires it and the child's parents, if they had chosen to do so, could have obtained an exemption. (Anti-vaccine advocates call developing autism, asthma and Type I diabetes after vaccinations "vaccination roulette.") Parents should have the freedom to select whatever vaccination schedule they want their children to follow, especially since health care providers and the government (except via its Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) cannot be held accountable for any adverse outcomes that might occur.

But if parents elect to not follow the CDC's immunization schedule, delaying some vaccinations, refusing others, or avoiding them altogether, then they must accept the risk that their child might contract the disease that the vaccine against it most likely would have prevented. One consideration, which vaccine proponents do not address, is this: Could contracting childhood diseases like measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox play a constructive role in the maturation of a person's immune system? Or, to put it another way, does removing natural infection from human experience have any adverse consequences? Our species' immune system -- a one-trillion-cell army that patrols our (100-trillion-cell) body --> serves two main purposes: a.. It destroys foreign invaders -- viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. > b.. And it destroys aberrant cells in the body that run amuck and cause cancer.

Our Natural Defense System

Behind the barricades of skin and mucosa, our innate immune system (composed of phagocytes, natural killer cells and the 20-protein complement system), which all animals have, is the body's first line of defense. It reacts to invaders lightening fast and indiscriminately, but it is not very good at eliminating viruses and cancerous cells. Vertebrates have evolved a second line of defense: The adaptive immune system. It targets specific viruses and bacteria and has better artillery for eliminating cancerous cells. This system matures during childhood, and it has a cellular (Th1) and> humoral (Th2) component (Th = helper T cell). The viruses that cause measles, mumps and chickenpox have infected countless generations of humans, akin to a rite of passage for each member of our species. Contracting these diseases strengthens both parts of the adaptive immune system (Th1 and> Th2).

Mothers who have had measles, mumps and chickenpox transfer antibodies against them to their babies in utero, which protect them during the first year of life from contracting these infections...

The article goes on to talk about how contracting certain diseases can actually help you fight off other disease by strenghtening your immune system naturally.

Caffeine Consumption While Pregnant

(submitted by Kim)

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- New research out Monday may have expecting moms rethinking their drinking habits. During pregnancy, caffeine can inhibit blood flow to the placenta.


A new study has found that pregnant women who consumed more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, equivalent to about two cups of coffee, had twice the risk of miscarriage as the women who consumed no caffeine at all. The findings are published in Monday's Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Previous studies have found similar results, but Dr. De-Kun Li, lead author and investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, is quick to point out the significance of his findings. "We were able to address the issue of if the increase is really due to caffeine or due to women changing their drinking patterns. Other studies have reported the same results but had some biases in the research."

HOW MUCH BUZZ?
Just how much is 200 milligrams of caffeine? We did the math for you.
one to two cups of coffee (12 oz. serving)
two to three cups of tea (12 oz. serving)
one to three energy drinks
about five cans of soda

Amounts are estimates; actual caffeine content may vary by brand
The Kaiser study looked at 1,063 women in the early stage of pregnancy. Among women who consumed no caffeine, the miscarriage rate was 12.5 percent. In comparison, 25.5 percent of women who consumed more than 200 mg of caffeine a day miscarried. Although there was an increased risk for women who consumed fewer than 200 mg of caffeine a day, the lead investigator says the increase is not statistically significant.

Researchers say it made no difference whether the caffeine came from coffee, soda, tea or hot chocolate. Caffeine is dangerous during pregnancy, Li said, because it can cross through the placenta to the fetus and can be difficult for the fetus to metabolize the caffeine. Caffeine may influence cell development and decrease blood flow to the placenta, he added. If arteries are constricted it may restrict blood flow which can result in miscarriage. Dr. Jennifer Wu, a New York obstetrician who has no ties to this study, said the research is, "accurate and has found a definitive correlation between caffeine consumption and miscarriage." Wu says expecting moms should significantly decrease the intake of caffeine during pregnancy. Watch Dr. Wu discuss caffeine and pregnancy »

Current recommendations from the March of Dimes warn women not to exceed 300 milligrams of caffeine a day. Other groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, tell CNN they do not have a recommended guideline for caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Their Web site says, "There's no proof that small amounts of caffeine (for instance, one or two cups of coffee) harm the fetus." Li hopes this study will lead ACOG and other organizations to reevaluate the current guidelines.

Newest Addition!

Please welcome NMF member Tara's newest addition:

Olivia Grace

12-28-07

Question of the Week! 1-21-08

What is your child's favorite tv show and why?

Autisim

(submitted by Steph)


Hi Everyone:

The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed . The funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, would you please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your friends and family. They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal.http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214

Thanks for your participation & support of this wonderful effort,
Chris Snow

Important Information

(submitted by Jodi)

table booster seat:
http://babyproducts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=babyproducts&cdn=parenting&tm=81&gps=150_1530_992_531&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08120.html

Boppy covers:
http://babyproducts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=babyproducts&cdn=parenting&tm=24&gps=75_928_992_531&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08097.html

crib sold at Babies R' Us
http://babyproducts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=babyproducts&cdn=parenting&tm=13&gps=171_257_992_531&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08075.html

Baby Einstein blocks (I have these!)
http://babyproducts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=babyproducts&cdn=parenting&tm=21&gps=62_1900_992_531&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08005.html

Play Yard by Kolcraft (don't think you need to return, but info inportant to prevent death...)http://babyproducts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=babyproducts&cdn=parenting&tm=34&gps=20_753_992_531&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07315.html

Tap vs. Bottle Water

(submitted by Stephanie)

Tap vs. Bottled–What Should You Drink?
Posted Mon, Jan 07, 2008, 1:10 pm PST

Glug, glug, glug--that’s the sound a ginormous number of us make as we sip bottled water in our cars, at the gym, behind our desks. The sound you DON’T hear is the thwack of 60 million bottles a day being tossed into U.S. landfills, where they can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. If that’s not enough to turn your conscience a brighter shade of green, add this: Producing those bottles burns through 1.5 million barrels of crude oil annually--enough fuel to keep 100,000 cars running for a year. Recycling helps but reusing is even better. Invest in a couple of portable, dishwasher-safe, stainless steel bottles like Klean Kanteens that won’t leach nasty chemicals into your water. (Don’t get into the habit of refilling the water bottle you just emptied; the polyethylene terephthalate it’s made of breaks down with multiple usings.)

4 REASONS TO TURN ON THE TAP

1. Tap water is tested dailyUnder the Safe Drinking Water Act, water suppliers are required to provide an annual report on the quality of your local water and to test tap water daily. By comparison, the FDA examines bottled water only weekly, and consumers can’t get the agency’s results. You can easily get the lowdown on your state’s drinking water quality at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html
2. Tap water is a bargain Bottled water costs about 500 times more than tap. If you’re into really fancy labels, up to 1,000 times more.
3. Tap water is a tooth saverIt has more fluoride than bottled water, which helps prevent tooth decay. (Yes, you never outgrow your need for fluoride.)
4. Tap water is often tasty Some places (New York City for one) have delicious water, but if you don’t love the flavor of yours, the solution is simple: Run your tap water through a Brita or Pur filter to remove most tastes and odors. The average home filter goes for $8.99 and produces the equivalent of 300 large (16.9 ounce) bottles of water. That’s about $0.03 cents a bottle, versus the $1.25 or so you’d pay in a market.

Traditional Cleaning Supply

(I apologize for posting a long forward, but I wanted to also add that I use a spray bottle, that is a split, of 50/50 peroxide and water to clean the boy's high chairs and their toys. It is an effective and safe tool.)

Using Peroxide> >>>
Safer and Healthier than Bleach

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and countertops. This is what she told me...I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little ole bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store.

What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better! Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's? It's chlorine, Folks! And it was used to kill our troops. Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20's. It WAS used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this.

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.
3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
5. I had a fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic systems like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.
9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.
11. Put half of a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.
I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!

This is ADORABLE!!!

YouTube - Charlie bit my finger - again !

Design a NMF Logo!

We need your help!

Our March meeting will be devoted to doing a charity walk for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Details will come at our February meeting, but in the meantime, we would like to create a Nine Months and Forever Team T-Shirt that we can all wear at the charity walk event. We would LOVE to see your ideas for a NMF logo to put on the t-shirt. If you have an idea, please submit your design idea for our t-shirt to ninemonthsandforever@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing what you can come up with!

A New Addition!

Sajan

12-19-07

Congratulations to NMF member Amisha!!

She welcomed a beautiful little boy into the world on Dec. 19th.

Question of the Week! 1-14-08

Do you have a healthy eating tip you'd like to share with the group? Please post your tip, we'd love to hear from you! :)

Jan. Meeting! 30 Minute Meals & Healthy Eating Tips

Chef Jodi!
Mingle Time

Wine, Good Food & Girl Talk!

The perfect evening! :)

Cute Pregnant Nicole enjoying her water while talking with Kristen!

MEETING

Jodi demonstrated a fabulous 30 minute meal that we all got to enjoy! It was delicious!

Thanks Jod!!!! Check out her recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_32769_PRINT-RECIPE-FULL-PAGE,00.html

Each member brought a recipe to share as well. Copies of the recipes will be available at the next meeting.

Here are some of the healthy eating tips that our members shared with the group:

(Please keep in mind, these are simply suggestions from other members, not doctor recommendations. :))

• Instead of Kraft’s Mac and Cheese, use Annie’s M&C. Annie’s has almost 10 grams of protein per serving. Also, add either squash or cauliflower puree to the cheese. You can’t even tell that there are veggies in this delicious meal.
• For grilled cheese, do not use American cheese. Did you know that American cheese is a processed food that has little nutritional value? However, sometimes it is fortified with calcium. Use either Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese. Also, add sweet potato puree to the cheese mixture. Once again, you can’t even tell. For increased nutrition, use flax and fiber bread and Smart Balance butter that has flaxseed oil and omega three supplements. This simple meal becomes very nutritious with a few easy adjustments.
• Add wheat germ or flaxseed to yogurt, oatmeal, applesauce, etc. Be careful not to over do it with the flaxseed…it can cause diarrhea if you give them too much. Always check with your doctor before supplementing your child's diet.
• For brownies, use Duncan Hines mix and add a ½ cup of spinach puree and ½ cup of carrot puree to the ingredients. It improves the taste and makes them much moister.
• For eggs, add cheese and sweet potato puree. Just another way to get another serving of veggies into the day.
• For waffles, buy either Kashi or Life Stream. Both are very high in fiber, protein and have omega three supplements.
• Make their morning juice a combination of 100% fruit juice and water. Try to buy juice that is 100% fruit juice and has 100% Vitamin C. This can count as a fruit serving if you buy the right kind of juice. Juice does have sugar, so limit their juice to 4-6 ounces a day. Also, buy pomegranate or grape juice, which are both high in antioxidants.
• When making the purees, try to steam all veggies. Use the steamed water to make the puree. The steamed water is where a lot of the nutrients end up once they have been cooked. Steaming is the best way to eat veggies, next to eating them raw. Once they are steamed and pureed, put the mix in ice cube trays and freeze. Make large batches at a time so that you always have purees on hand for cooking.
• Baby cereal and oatmeal is only at its optimal nutritional value for one month after it has been opened. Keep cereal in a tupperware container to keep it fresh longer. I also label the container so that I know when the cereal has expired.
• Protein shake for pregnant woman and non pregnant woman: Two scoops of Kashi protein powder/vanilla flavor (Trader Joe’s sells the protein powder), ½ cup of frozen of fresh berries, ½ banana, ½ cup of low fat yogurt, a few ice cubes, and ½ cup of water. This very tasty drink has almost 40 grams of protein, folic acid, and many other important vitamins. Plus it is low in fat & sugar and is very filling. Gives that little one a great start to the day!
• Excellent resources: Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meal Cookbooks, Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron, and Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.
• Invest in a good water bottle and carry it around with you all day. Drink! Drink! Drink!
• Weight Watchers also has a simple protein drink mix that is worth looking into.
• Encourage your child to have fruits and vegetables with every meal.

Eating Tips From babycenter.com:

Age: 12 to 18 months

Signs of readiness for self-feeding

•Can start to use a spoon himself (though proficiency will take a while!)

What to feed

• Whole milk

• Other dairy (soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese)

• Same food as family, mashed or chopped into bite-size pieces

• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)

• Other grains (whole wheat bread, pasta, rice)

• New fruits: melon, papaya, apricot, grapefruit (citrus is now okay)

• New vegetables: broccoli and cauliflower "trees"

• Protein (eggs; cut-up or ground meat, poultry, boneless fish; tofu; beans; thinly spread smooth peanut butter)

• Citrus and non-citrus juice

• Honey is now okay

How much per day

• 2 to 3 servings dairy (1 serving = ½ cup milk, ½ to 1 oz. cheese, 1/3 to ½ cup yogurt or cottage cheese)

• 4 to 6 servings cereals and other grains (1 serving = ¼ to 1/3 cup cereal, ¼ cup pasta or rice, ¼ to ½ slice bread or bagel)

• ¼ to ½ cup fruit • ¼ to ½ cup vegetables

• 2 servings protein (1 serving = 2 tablespoons ground or two 1-inch cubes meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; ¼ cup tofu or cooked beans; 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter)

• 3 to 4 oz. juice

Feeding tips

Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your child's not allergic.

Choking hazards are still a danger.

Age: 18 to 24 months

Feeding skills to look for

• Self-feeding

• Food phrases like "more" and "all done"

What to feed

• Whole milk

• Other dairy (natural hard cheese, soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese, pudding)

• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oat, mixed cereals)

• Other grains (whole wheat bread and crackers, cut-up bagels, pretzels, rice cakes, ready-to-eat cereals, pasta, rice)

• Fruit, cooked, canned or fresh, cut up or sliced (apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries, pears, cherries, grapes, plums, oranges, grapefruit)

• Dried fruit, soaked until soft so it won't pose a choking hazard (apples, apricots, peaches, pears, dates, pitted prunes, raisins)

• Vegetables, cooked and mashed or diced (carrots, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, yams, potatoes, peas)

Protein (eggs; cut-up or ground meat, poultry, boneless fish; tofu; beans; smooth peanut butter)

• Combo foods like macaroni and cheese, casseroles

• Fruit and vegetable juices

How much per day

2 to 3 servings dairy (1 serving = ½ cup milk; ½ to 1 oz. cheese; 1/3 to ½ cup yogurt or cottage cheese; ¼ cup pudding)

• 6 servings grains (1 serving = ¼ to ½ slice bread or bagel; 1 or 2 crackers; ¼ cup pasta or rice; 1/3 to ½ cup cooked or ready-to-eat cereal)

• 2 to 3 servings fruit (1 serving = ¼ cup cooked or canned, ½ piece fresh; 1/8 cup dried; ¼ to ½ cup juice)

• 2 to 3 servings vegetables (1 serving = 1 to 2 tablespoons)

• 2 servings protein (1 serving = 2 tablespoons ground or two 1-inch cubes meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; ¼ cup tofu or cooked beans; 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter)

Feeding tips

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your child's not allergic. • Choking hazards are still a danger.

Age: 24 to 36 months

Feeding skills to look for

• Self-feeding

• Eagerness to make own food choices

What to feed

• Low-fat milk

• Other dairy (diced or grated cheese; low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding)

• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)

• Other grains (whole wheat bread and crackers, cut-up bagels, pretzels, rice cakes, ready-to-eat cereal, pasta, rice)

Fruits, sliced fresh or canned

Dried fruit, soaked until soft so it won't pose a choking hazard (apples, apricots, peaches, pears, dates, pitted prunes, raisins)

• Vegetables, cooked and cut up

• Protein (eggs; cut-up or ground meat, poultry, boneless fish; tofu; beans; smooth peanut butter)

Combo foods like macaroni and cheese, casseroles

• Fruit and vegetable juices

How much per day

One serving for a child this age is about ¼ the size of an adult serving.

• 2 to 3 servings dairy (1 serving = ½ cup milk; ½ to ¾ oz. cheese; ½ cup yogurt; ¼ to ½ cup cottage cheese; ¼ cup pudding)

• 6 servings grains (1 serving = ½ slice bread or bagel; 1 or 2 crackers; ¼ to ½ cup pasta or rice; 1/3 to ½ cup cooked or ready-to-eat cereal)

• 2 to 3 servings fruit (1 serving = ¼ cup cooked or canned, ½ piece fresh, or ¼ to ½ cup juice)

• 2 to 3 servings vegetables (1 serving = 2 to 3 tablespoons)

• 2 servings protein (1 serving = 2 tablespoons ground or two 1-inch cubes meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; ¼ cup tofu or cooked beans; 1 tablespoon peanut butter)

Feeding tips

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your child's not allergic.

• Choking hazards are still a danger.

• Your child may seem to eat less than before — that's perfectly normal at this stage. If you wonder whether he's getting enough calories, use this guideline: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child get about 40 calories a day for every inch of height.

Stay tuned for some recipes and meeting photos! :)

Next Month's Meeting:

Organizing your home!

Feb. 28th

Kim's House.

Details will follow!

Please bring your favorite tip on organizing for our idea swap. For example, maybe you have a creative way to organize your photos or memorabilia. Or perhaps you have an efficient way to do your laundry or dishes. Maybe you can give a tip on organizing junk drawers or closets.

Be creative!

Children's Wagon Recall

(submitted by Amisha)

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08154.html

Question Of The Week! 1-7-08

What topics would you like to see covered or discussed on the blog or at a meeting? Please respond on the comments section.

Baby Info.

(submitted by Kim)

Babies aren't as good at regulating their body temperature as older kids and adults are. But that doesn't mean your child should be bundled up like a mini-astronaut every time you're out for a short stroll. To keep her warm and comfortable when inside or out, dress her in one layer more than you're wearing yourself. (Some don't need the extra layer though, so see what works best for your child. More on how your baby should be dressed...

Skip the blankets in the crib -- a suffocation hazard-- until around 12 months and try a snuggly one-piece sleeper.
A hat is the Number One necessity. On very cold days, be sure to use a cap that totally covers the ears; one that fastens under the chin is cozy and won't fall off.
Skip the hard-to-handle snowsuit until your baby's walking. A warm jacket's enough for her top, and you can cover up her legs with a fleece or blanket.
Thick coats should come off before the car-seat straps go on -- the extra padding will make the harness too loose. Add a blanket or a bunting bag (a fitted blanket that goes over a car seat or stroller) over the straps instead.
Wear your baby against your body in a sling or carrier to keep her warmer than when she's riding in a stroller. You'll be able to dress her in lighter clothing (skip the coat). Keep a blanket on hand to throw over her if she gets cold.
In bed
The more comfortably babies are dressed for bed, the better they sleep. If you swaddle your baby, use a lightweight cloth. Cotton's the best bet for sleeping, since it's cozy, soft, and more "breathable" than other fabrics.
Skip the blankets in the crib until around 12 months -- they're a suffocation risk before then, and babies just kick them off. Instead, try a coverall (a one-piece outfit with feet, also called a sleeper or a stretchie) or a sleep sack (a wearable blanket with armholes). A fitted flannel crib sheet adds warmth, too.
If your baby sleeps in your bed, she'll get extra heat from you, so she can be dressed lighter; a swaddling cloth may be all she needs. (Keep in mind that your pillows, sheets, and blankets are a suffocation risk and should be kept away from her.)
Protect sensitive skin
Babies are prone to heat rash and eczema flare-ups in the winter. Blame all those layers of clothes -- and the dry, warm air circulating in your house. What to keep an eye out for:
Skincare
Heat rash looks like tiny red pimples and usually appears on moist, overheated areas, such as behind the ears, in the neck folds, in the groin, or any other spots where warm clothing creates friction.
Eczema is dry skin that looks like flaky, red patches. It's most common in the winter and often shows up -- just in time for holiday pictures -- on a baby's face. Parenting.com: The antibiotics lowdown
If either of these conditions appears, dressing your baby in lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing and avoiding overbundling should help. You might also want to try a humidifier. Look for one that automatically kills bacteria so you don't have to sanitize the unit every day. Keeping your baby's fingernails trimmed is also a good idea, as scratching already irritated skin can lead to secondary infections. And talk to your doctor to find out whether your baby needs a topical medication.
Dr. Sears' soothers
Heat rash: Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda in a cup of cool water, and blot the area with a fluffy washcloth or cotton ball.
Eczema: After a bath, blot the area gently with a towel, leaving the patches damp. Then apply a lotion, which will seal in the moisture and help hydrate your baby's skin.
Treating colds and fever
The truth about cough and cold meds: Your baby's probably better off without them. At press time, the Food and Drug Administration was reevaluating the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications for kids under age 6. Both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued warnings that these drugs may be especially dangerous for children under 2. Parenting.com: No cold meds? Now what?
They've never been tested for safety in kids this age, so there's no agreed-upon "safe" dose for your baby. And studies show that these drugs aren't very effective in young children. The most up-to-date advice:
• Don't use OTC cough or cold medicines for your baby unless your doctor says they're necessary. If he does, be sure to stick carefully to the dose he recommends.
• Never give your child more than one of these drugs at a time unless directed by your doctor. You could accidentally double up on the same active ingredient.
• Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine, or one from the pharmacy that's marked for dosing. A kitchen spoon isn't accurate and can put your baby at risk of an overdose.
• Be sure that sitters and other caregivers check with you before giving your baby these (and any other) medicines.
When babies get stuffy
Watching a baby suffer through a stuffy nose can be tough -- especially before 5 months, when he hasn't learned that he can breathe through the mouth. Being stuffed up can also make feedings harder, since babies will stop sucking to try to get air. Fortunately, there's a lot you can do to help. What to try:
• Saline (non-medicated) drops. They loosen nasal secretions and often stimulate babies to sneeze, so a big glob comes right out. Using a clean plastic dropper, gently squirt a few drops into each nostril. Soothe the loosened secretions out with a warm washcloth, starting from the bridge of the nose. Or use a bulb syringe.
Health Library
MayoClinic.com: Combating effects of dry winter air
• Bulb syringe. Squeeze the bulb first, stick the tip into the nostril while gently pressing the other nostril closed, and then slowly release the bulb. Try not to use this tool more than three times a day, since it can irritate a baby's delicate nose. You may want to try a new nasal aspirator called Nosefrida. It's placed just at the nostril opening instead of inside the nose, so it irritates your baby less.
• Your bathroom. Turn on the shower and close the door to fill the room with steam, and then sit inside with your baby upright in your lap. The humidity will help get his nose running.
• Vaporizer. Also called a "warm-mist humidifier," this gadget emits steam to help keep mucus moving. Run it during naptime and overnight. The unit's hot water kills off bacteria and mold, but it can also burn kids; keep it out of reach of babies and older sibs.
Signs of breathing trouble
Winter ailments such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and croup can make breathing hard. Go to the emergency room if:
• Your child is breathing a lot faster than normal for more than a minute
• It's becoming harder for him to get air in and out, and he pauses for more than 10 seconds between breaths
• The dent just in front of his neck, or the area between or below his ribs, is caving in with each breath
• He turns gray or blue
• His nostrils are flaring
• His breathing becomes high-pitched.
If fever's a concern
An elevated temperature is a clue that your baby's battling an infection. So it's natural that fevers are common in the winter, when kids get sick more often.
Fevers in young babies can be especially serious. Most experts agree that a temperature of 100.4 degrees Farenheit or higher in an infant under 3 months warrants a call to the doc, who will tell you if you should give your baby medication or take her to the hospital. Parenting.com: Fever relievers
To bring down a baby's fever, try:
• A lukewarm bath or sponge bath
• Extra liquids to keep her hydrated. Nurse or bottle-feed more often, and give babies who drink water (around 6 months) a little more.
• A cool environment. Skip the swaddling for now.
• Medications (acetaminophen or, if your tot is over 6 months, ibuprofen) as recommended by your child's doctor. Never give a baby aspirin.
If your child doesn't improve after you've tried these remedies, call the doctor (if you haven't already!).
Older babies' immune systems are better at fighting infection, so a fever is just one symptom to consider alongside other clues, including lethargy, vomiting, and rapid breathing. Of course, you should always call your doctor if you're concerned, but for the most part, a child over 3 months who has a fever but doesn't seem all that sick probably doesn't need a visit to the doctor. Her fever is doing a good job of fighting off an infection.

Foods To Consider...

(submitted by Kim)

If you've been avoiding burgers, ice cream, and pizza thinking you're doing your waistline a favor, don't. They can actually help you lose weight -- and keep it off, too. Here are the hidden slim-down perks of five foods that get a bad rap and the best way to add each one back into your diet.

Red meat
Lean red meat, such as l sirloin tip, T-bone, or strip steak, is a great source of protein for dieters.
Even burgers and meatballs can be light fare if you make them with ground sirloin, says Bonnie Gluck, M.S., R.D., a clinical dietitian at New York Methodist Hospital in New York City.

"Lean red meat -- lean being the operative word -- is a great choice for women who are trying to shed pounds," she says. "It's an excellent source of protein. And protein takes longer to digest, helping you feel full and cutting the likelihood that you'll snack later on."

A study of 100 women from Australian researchers found that overweight women who ate reduced-calorie diets rich in protein from red meat and dairy lost more weight than those whose reduced-calorie plans had little meat and more carbs. "Protein can reduce hunger," says study author Manny Noakes, Ph.D., associate professor with the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization (Australia's national science agency) in Adelaide. And being less hungry while you're trying to lose weight can prevent overeating.

Best way to enjoy it: Choose ground beef labeled "97 percent lean" or "extralean," which means it has less than five grams of fat per serving. Want steak? Get lower-fat cuts from the loin, like sirloin tip, T-bone, or strip steak, Gluck says.

Watch out for: Beef that's labeled Prime. "It's very high in fat," Gluck says. Buy cuts graded Choice; the meat has less fat and still tastes good. And remember to limit your portion size, no matter how lean the meat. "Many restaurants will serve an eight-ounce steak or burger, which means you're getting twice the amount you actually need," says Dave Grotto, R.D., author of "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life." Stick to a three-ounce serving (roughly the size of a deck of cards).

Ice cream
Good news for ice cream lovers: A recent Swedish study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that women who have at least one serving of full-fat dairy products a day gain less weight than women who don't. Researchers aren't entirely sure why, but it's believed that a compound in milk fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may aid weight loss. Health.com: Top 5 foods for women

Not all studies support the dairy-aids-weight-loss claim. But Gluck feels there's more evidence for than against, even if full-fat dairy's secret is simply that it's more satisfying. "Many women find that low-fat versions of dairy products like ice cream and cheese just aren't satisfying," she says, "so they may eat a lot of them -- downing hundreds of calories in the process, trying to fulfill their craving -- when just a little bit of the full-fat stuff would have done the trick."
Best way to enjoy it: Have a little cheese, ice cream, or a glass of milk each day. "You really can't go wrong with that," Gluck says. "Dairy should be part of your diet, whether you're trying to shed pounds or not. You need the calcium to maintain strong bones. And the vitamin D and CLA in milk both have cancer-fighting properties."

Watch out for: Fat intake. Remember that full-fat dairy products do contain saturated fat, Gluck says, so it's best to limit yourself to two servings daily -- and to make your third serving a low-fat or skim choice.

Eggs
After years of being barred from the average American diet, things are looking sunny-side up for eggs. According to a study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, overweight women who eat egg breakfasts lose twice as much weight as women who start their days with bagels. Researchers say the protein in eggs increases satiety and decreases hunger, helping women eat fewer calories throughout the day. "Eggs are a perfect protein source because they have all eight essential amino acids," Grotto says. "And recent research debunks the idea that they have adverse effects on the heart." Best way to enjoy them: Try 'em for breakfast. This is the ideal time for getting the proven fill-you-up benefits the rest of the day. Besides, it takes only a couple of minutes to scramble an egg. Work a hard- or soft-boiled egg into lunch, too, by adding it to a spinach salad. Or make an omelet or veggie frittata with two to three egg whites to every one yolk to keep the calories low (whites have just 16 calories, while whole eggs have 72 each). Health.com: Reconsidering the egg

Watch out for: Eggs served at restaurants. Even an egg-white omelet is likely to be fried in butter or oil unless you ask that it be prepared with cooking spray. And like pizza, beware of any egg dish that's smothered in cheese. If you're craving more flavor, add some herbs or salsa.

Pizza
You already know you can enjoy some mozzarella on your favorite pie and still drop pounds. But there are other ways you can make that slice even healthier. To hike the diet-friendly fiber, choose a whole-wheat crust and top your pizza with veggies like peppers, artichokes, and broccoli. "Like protein, fiber is digested slowly and helps keep you feeling full, longer," Gluck says. Even better? By sticking with healthful toppings like veggies and lean protein (grilled chicken is a good choice), a medium slice will set you back only 200 to 250 calories.
Best way to enjoy it: Choose whole-wheat varieties. You can make your own or try a frozen one, like DiGiorno, Boboli, South Beach, or Amy's. If you're ordering in or dining out, get a thin-crust pie (it's typically lower in calories and fat than thicker versions); try selections available at Pizza Hut and California Pizza Kitchen. Watch out for: Additional oil and fat. Avoid any pie that's deep-dish (that means the crust is cooked in oil) or loaded with sausage and pepperoni, Gluck says. And while a bit of cheese is fine, a whole lot is not. Skip the extra cheese.

Canadian bacon
Unlike a regular strip of crispy pork fat, Canadian bacon -- which comes from the loin, one of the leanest parts of the pig -- is a dieter's best friend, with a third less fat than regular bacon. If that isn't reason enough to put Canadian bacon on your plate, a recent study from Purdue University shows that women who eat a diet rich in lean pork and other protein keep more lean body mass during weight loss than women who eat a low- calorie diet with little pork and other protein sources. An added bonus: Women who eat meals rich in protein from pork report that they feel satisfied, in spite of the fact that they are on reduced-calorie diets, and say they're happier overall. Health.com: Best new foods of 2007 Best way to enjoy it: Have some anytime. "Add Canadian or turkey bacon, another light pick, to scrambled eggs, or use some in a bacon-lettuce-and-tomato sandwich on whole-wheat bread with reduced-fat mayo," Grotto says. You can chop it into strips and use it for a protein boost on salad, too. Watch out for: Hidden fat. Some restaurants fry Canadian bacon on the griddle in oil.