Have you let yourself go...now that you are a mom??

http://www.themomcrowd.com/are-you-%E2%80%9Cletting-yourself-go%E2%80%9D

From the article"

"I believe that many people think that moms have to dress like we did before we had kids to show that we haven’t “let ourselves go.” When in fact it is that our work uniforms have changed. I don’t have to wear a starched ironed shirt to play with my baby everyday. When I worked in an office I had to dress up in skirts, heels, and hosiery. Now when I shop I don’t have to think, “Is this appropriate for the office?” I can buy anything. It’s awesome."

Irene's Holistic Palooza

Free Classes!!!!!!!!!!!
Come to the Holistic Health Festival!!

A Free Day of Education!

Some of the classes:
"Our Diets Environmental Impact"
"Natural Anti-Aging"
"Cravings & Food Addictions"
"Holistic Pet Care"
"Dangerously Beautiful"
"Basic Yoga"

And sooooo much more!


Saturday, October 4, 2008- 11 am- 6 pm

26061 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48033

Call for Information: 248-350-1400

NMF MEMBERS GO ORGANIC!

Amy, Christina & Danielle went to a class on "Organic and Natural Living." Here are some fun facts from the class:

Five Reasons To Go Organic:
1.Good for the soil
2.Good for the environment
3.Good for people
4.No synthetic chemicals
5. No GMOs

How pesticides/toxins affect children:
1.Low levels of detox
2.Linked to rising rates of learning disabilities, childhood cancers, birth defects and infertility

Reading labels:
1. "Natural" means nothing! It is the most widely used word on labels.
2. "Naturally Derived" is a little better then "Natural." Does not automatically mean it is healthy.
3. "Organic" means that 70% or more of the ingredients are organic. May not have the USDA logo.
4. "Certified Organic" means that 95% or more organic. These products contain a 3rd party certifier.

Websites:
1. Test your body: http://www.bodyburden.org/
2. Consumer purchase info.: http://www.thestoryofstuff.com/
3. http://www.allorganiclinks.com/
4. http://www.maplecreekfarm.com/

Healthy, Organic Recipes

(submitted by Jodi)

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/index.php

Question of the week!

What is the most challenging time of the day for you, with your kiddos?

What is the most enjoyable time of day typically?

You Guys ROCK!!!

Thanks for all of the great participation! WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!!!

Great Magazine & Great Website!

http://www.wholeliving.com/

Keeping tabs on your kiddos

http://www.securebaby.com/sbloc8-pl.html

Why does baby grind her teeth?

(submitted by Kim)

Your baby may just be getting used to the feeling of having those little chicklets in his mouth. Teeth grinding (or bruxism, as dentists call it) isn't uncommon among babies who are getting their first teeth, beginning at around 6 months of age.Other possible triggers include pain — from teething or an earache, for example — and breathing problems, from a stuffy nose or allergies. And there's some evidence that pinworms are sometimes the culprit.

Children who grind their teeth usually begin at around 3 1/2 years of age and stop when they're about 6 years old, although teeth grinding is also common among children who are starting to get their permanent teeth (at around 5 years of age). In older children, stress or anxiety is often thought to be to blame.Your child is a bit more likely to grind his teeth if you do. He's also more likely to grind his teeth if he drools or talks in his sleep. Almost all teeth grinding happens at night.

Is it bad for him?
In most cases, teeth grinding sounds worse than it is. It's very likely that your baby isn't doing any damage to his teeth and he'll soon outgrow the habit.Mention your baby's grinding to his dentist, though, so she can check his teeth for wear and any resulting problems, like pulp exposure, cavities, or fractures. (Your baby's first dentist visit should happen around the time he turns 1.)

Can I do anything to help him stop?
Although the sound is probably disconcerting, you'll probably just have to wait for your baby to grow out of the habit. If your baby is teething or has an ear infection, ask your doctor about giving him the proper dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the discomfort.

Tips for moms

From Jodi:

I thought this had some great ideas for things to do with the kids- especially as winter comes... http://www.parents.com/fun/games-printables/indoor-activities/ways-to-keep-little-kids-happy/

Wanna be trendy??

(submitted by Kim)

For those who don’t want to spend a lot to look hot! he he he! :)
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com

Need Suggestions??

(submitted by Emily)

Does anyone know of any good photographers? Emily is looking for someone to photograph her baby. Please post recommendations for all to see! :)

Another Question of the Week

Do you have any fun family Halloween traditions? Share them with us :)

Question of the week!

Lets face it...accidents happen to the best of us! Kids get into things that you never imagine they would or could!!! Have you ever had an accident occur with your child that could have been prevented?

Accidents are the #1 cause of death in children!

(submitted by Kim)


Make sure your child doesn't get into an accident when you're not looking.

"Nobody can watch a child at every moment," says Robert Sege, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine. But that doesn't mean it hurts to step up your game. Check out these seven situations that can turn frightening in a flash -- and learn how to keep them as uneventful as possible.

SNEAKY SITUATION 1When you're grocery shopping

Cart surfing may seem like a rite of passage, but allowing kids to ride in the main basket or perch on the outside can lead to trouble. In 2005 more than 17,000 American children under 6 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to such hijinks -- and most were head or neck injuries. "A child's head is the heaviest part of his body, so if he leans, he'll go right over," says Michael Turner, M.D., a pediatric neurosurgeon in Indianapolis.
• Play it safer: Obviously, always strap your child into the seat until he's too big (or too independent to stand for being confined). Bring along toys, books, and snacks -- and don't turn up your nose at those little car-shaped carts (they're low and don't tip easily). And mini-carts are great for getting little kids to walk along and "help" shop.

SNEAKY SITUATION 2When you're doing chores

Little kids have a knack for getting injured when you're right there, and in a blink, too. Just ask Doris Alexander, a mom of four in Pasadena, Texas. She turned her back on her 2-year-old son, Andrew, while unloading the dishwasher. "In that quick second, he reached in and touched the still-hot heating element in the bottom," she says. "He wound up with a second-degree burn over half of his palm."
• Play it safer: Whenever you're doing anything that's potentially hazardous -- unloading a steaming dishwasher, using caustic cleaning chemicals -- take a minute to settle your child somewhere safe before you get started, like in a play yard or high chair with a toy or a snack (or, yes, a video!). And keep in mind that the most common time for accidents is during meal preparation: If your husband's around when you're cooking dinner, put him on kid watch while you stir the pasta sauce.

SNEAKY SITUATION 3After you've popped a pill

It might seem like the perfect in-a-pinch plaything: a shakable plastic container of pills or capsules with a child-resistant top. Katie Rainville certainly thought so when she handed her 18-month-old daughter, Sydney, a bottle of gelcaps to rattle while she went to get the vacuum cleaner. "From the next room, I heard Sydney say, 'Mmm,' " recalls Rainville. When the mom from Franklin, New Hampshire, came back, the meds were all over the floor. At the ER, blood tests confirmed that Sydney had swallowed just one pill, which, fortunately, wouldn't hurt her.
• Play it safer: "Don't mistake 'child-resistant' for 'childproof,'" says Carl Baum, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics at the Yale University School of Medicine, in New Haven, Connecticut. These kinds of lids are hard for kids to open, but not impossible. Second, keep a stash of safe, age-appropriate toys in baskets or drawers all over the house. If you're desperate for a distraction, reach for a set of keys. They may not be especially clean, but they're not deadly, either. Parenting.com: Quick and easy fun

SNEAKY SITUATION 4When the baby's chilling in his bouncy seat

He's on top of the dinner table because, let's face it, parking him where he can see you is the only way he'll let you eat. Or he's on the dryer because the vibrations from the spinning clothes never fail to soothe him to sleep. Regardless, putting a car seat or bouncer on a high-up surface and expecting it to stay there can lead to a Humpty Dumpty-like disaster. It can rock, shift, or shimmy off -- baby and all. Parenting.com: 22 Boredom-busting games
• Play it safer: The easiest way to make sure an infant in a car seat or bouncer doesn't wind up on the floor is to put him down there in the first place. But if the hum of the dryer is the only thing that calms him down, or having him on the ground makes the distance between the two of you just too great for comfort, then commit yourself to the utmost vigilance.

SNEAKY SITUATION 5After shaving your legs

You de-fuzz in the tub, so where else would you keep your razor, right? Here's why it's worth rethinking: While Kelly Scott was giving her 10-month-old son a bath, she turned around for a washcloth. Next thing she knew, Justin had her razor in his mouth. "I gasped, and he pulled it out," says Scott, who lives in Sandusky, Ohio. "I expected to see blood streaming from between his lips, but I was lucky: The razor had the plastic cap on." Parenting.com: 8 activities to keep your kid busy
Play it safer: Stash your razor high in the medicine cabinet when you're done, or at the very least on a high shower rack. Razors are shiny and unusually shaped, and some of the ones marketed for women are as chunky and brightly colored as toddler toys! They're tempting -- better to just keep them out of sight.

SNEAKY SITUATION 6When you put your sleeping baby in the stroller

You might be tempted to skip buckling her in if the stroller's just going to be sitting there. Why risk waking her? But according to the mommy version of Murphy's law, there's a chance she'll wake up when you're not right there, roll over, and tumble out. "Think about where she'll wind up if that happens," says Dr. Sege. "It could be on the floor, in a pool, on the street, depending on what the stroller's near."
Play it safer: Slip on the straps and fasten them. The chances you'll wake her up are pretty slim. "When a young kid sleeps, she really sleeps," Dr. Sege says. Even if your child wakes up for a second, you can gently shush her back to the land of Nod as you buckle her up. That way, you both can rest assured. Parenting.com: Sanity-saving baby soothers

SNEAKY SITUATION 7When you're caring for a sick kid

Kristin Gregor, a mom of three in Clifton Park, New York, had a medicine mishap when her 18-month-old, Alex, was sick. She and her husband were sharing bedside duty when he gave Alex a second dose of acetaminophen an hour too early. Alex was okay, but Gregor was right to be worried: It's not that hard to give a child too much acetaminophen -- especially if it's in another medication he's taking at the same time, says Denise Dowd, M.D., codirector of the Center for Childhood Safety at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. (If you believe your kid got too much of any drug, call the Poison Help hotline at 800-222-1222.) Parenting.com: Child health guide
Play it safer: Keep track. Now when any of her kids are sick, Gregor posts a calendar on the fridge where she writes down the name of the sick child, which medicines he or she is taking, and when they were given. "We've been mistake-free ever since," says Gregor -- a goal worth shooting for, even if no parent will ever reach it 100 percent!

Cold & Flu Season

(Taken from www.stopgerms.org)


HELPFUL HINTS FOR FAMILIES

- Children can touch and retouch over 300 surfaces in just 30 minutes.
- The average toddler gets 6 to 8 colds a year. School- aged children can get
as many as 12.
- Germs that cause colds and flu can survive on common classroom surfaces
for up to 72 hours.
- Children, and women ages 20 to 30 (moms with young kids), get the most
colds.
- Children are 2 to 3 times more likely than adults to get the flu.
- Nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold.
- Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly. Washing for 20
seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice) is the
most effective way to eliminate germs.
(For more tips on encouraging good handwashing habits, visit the CDC online
at http://cdc.gove/ncidod/op/materials.htm.)
- Have children wash their hands as soon as they get home from school, or
doing activities outside.
- Disinfect and sanitize your home to help reduce the spread of germs at
home.
- Practice good health habits. These habits include: Getting a good night’s
sleep; eating a well balanced, healthy diet; drinking plenty of fluids; and
avoid sharing food and drinks with others.
- Try to keep children from touching or rubbing their eyes, nose and mouth.
- Teach your child to sneeze, cough, or blow their nose into a clean tissue
and then properly dispose of it.

Fun Website!

http://simplemom.net/

Flu Shot

(submitted by Kim)

When a pregnant woman gets a flu shot, she is also protecting her baby, according to a new study. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that infants born to mothers who had been vaccinated had a 63 percent lower chance of getting the flu. There were also 36 percent fewer cases of serious respiratory problems in the babies.

A news release did not say what the general rate of infection is for newborns, so it is not clear how many cases of the flu this prevents. But a researcher said that the rate of hospitalization for the flu is higher among children under 6 months old than for any other group, including the elderly. The flu shot is not approved for infants younger than 6 months, and nasal vaccines can't be given until age 2.

Researchers said that about 15 percent of pregnant women get inoculated, though advice generally is for them to do so. "Our study shows that a newborn's risk of infection can be greatly reduced by vaccinating mom during pregnancy. It's a two-for-one benefit," said senior author Dr. Mark Steinhoff. The study was conducted in Bangladesh and will be published in the Oct. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

(submitted by Christine)

Did you watch Oprah this week re: child pretators?

Us mothers need to help pass the Protect Our Children Act (Bill 1738). The PROTECT Our Children Act will:

Authorize over $320 million over the next five years in desperately needed funding for law enforcement to investigate child exploitation. Mandate that child rescue be a top priority for law enforcement receiving federal funding. Allocate funds for high-tech computer software that can track down Internet predators. HOW??? It is so simple.

Go to http://stabenow.senate.gov/email.cfm AND ttp://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm and fill out your information ( name, address, etc). Under 'message' copy and paste this:

Dear Senator,

I know that you believe, like I do, that we must do everything possible to protect children from sexual predators. That is why I am asking for your help.Last year alone, U.S. law enforcement identified over 300,000 criminals who were trafficking in movies and pictures of young children being raped and tortured. Experts say that one in every three of these criminals has local child victims. Child pornography trafficking over the Internet has given us a trail of evidence that leads straight to their doorsteps, but the vast majority of these children will never be rescued because investigators are overwhelmed, outnumbered and underfunded.As your constituent, I urge you to do everything in your power to pass the PROTECT Our Children Act (S. 1738, Biden-Hatch). This bipartisan legislation passed the House 415-2, but it is now the victim of petty partisan politics.

Now that we know where these children are and how to protect them, there is no excuse for the Senate to fail to take action this session.

(Your name here)

All Natural Products Right in Michigan

(submitted by Nicole)

http://www.dirtygirlfarm.com/catalog/index.php

Question of the week!

Do you believe in letting babies cry it out? If no, what is your best bed time technique?

Can you believe this?

(submitted by Kim)

http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/

Itsy Bitsy Yoga

Yoga for mom and baby!

Tonight NMF members took their first Itsy Bitsy Yoga class 

at Mid American Studio in Farmington Hills.  To find out more, visit www.pompon.com

or www.itsybitsyyoga.com

Song: To the Tune of Ring Around the Rosy

Ring around the yogi

Namaste my friends

inhale, exhale, we all feel good!

Love is in our hearts 

and our minds are filled with 

peaceful thoughts.

Om, delightful, om

Life is fun!

Question of the week!

Anyone know of a holistic pediatrician in South Easter Michigan?

Top Five Hollywood Moms

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/top-5-hollywood-mom-countdown-250593

Beauty Tips

(submitted by Kim)

Wacky Beauty Tips That Work

Toothpaste on a zit? Vinegar in your hair? Some of that ridiculous-sounding advice you've heard in passing is really right on
By Cosmopolitan

You've been told this line before: "Okay, I know it's weird but ..." What follows is surprising advice — about anything from clearing up a zit to taming a flyaway — that totally does the trick. Call it word-of-mouth beauty. Sure, these tips might sound strange at first ("You put diaper cream where?!"), but there's a logic to them. We rounded up tons of such pointers (from pros as well as real girls) and tested them at Cosmo. Though a few clunkers had to be kicked to the curb, all the rest, presented here, are real gems.

1. Powder Your RootsIf your hairline starts to look greasy, dig up a big, fluffy makeup brush, and dip it into a pot of loose powder. Tap it once on the back of your hand to remove the excess, then dust it over your roots. It mops up oil and blends into your strands, so no one will know you didn't shower.

2. Scent Strands with PerfumeSpray a light shot of fragrance into the bristles. Run it through strands from roots to ends and your hair will smell amazing throughout the day.

3. Cure Calluses with VaselineSlather on the petroleum jelly, and put on socks before bed to dissolve tough calluses overnight.
More from Cosmopolitan.com
Hair That Gets You What You Want
Find Your Perfect Jeans Style
The Sexiest Shoes for Fall
More from Yahoo! Shopping

Back to School Beauty and Makeup
Back to School Fashions for Girls

4. Spot-Treat SmudgesDip a cotton swab in eye-makeup remover, and trace it along your lids to erase any slipups or goofs when there's no time to redo your whole look.

5. Fix a Flushed FaceIf you turn red and stay that way after exercising (like seriously red for hours, even though you're healthy and hydrated), take an antihistamine like Benadryl when you leave the gym to reduce redness.

6. Soften Your Bod with AvocadoTake a ripe avocado, remove the pit and skin, and mash it up in a bowl. Slather it all over your body, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Your skin will be so soft — avocado is a natural moisturizer.

7. Super-Glue a NailInstead of tearing off your nail when it breaks, put a tiny dab of Super Glue over the split, and paint a generous layer of your favorite nailpolish shade over it. Go for an opaque option (like red, purple, or coral) to camouflage and seal the crack.

8. Use Makeup Remover on Stubborn LipstickDon't try to rub off red lipstick (which makes it smear across your mouth — not so sexy). Instead, take a cotton ball or tissue, dip it in makeup remover, and just dab to erase the dark stain fast.

9. Tame Brows with Eye CreamPat any kind of rich eye cream over brows to help keep them hydrated and banish those icky white specks that look like dandruff.

10. Buff with Baking SodaIf you find yourself streaking (not glowing) after applying self-tanner, put some baking soda on a loofah, and scrub away the stripes.

11. Brush on Hair SprayFor the final step of your blow-dry, spray hair spray onto your brush, and run it through strands from roots to tips. This way, your do isn't so plastered and stiff but still holds volume and shine.

12. Boost Body Lotion with Baby OilIf you're craving shiny legs that aren't greasy, blend a drop of baby oil into your normal body lotion for extra luster.

13. Dab Essential Oil on a HangnailPut on apricot oil, the kind found in health-food stores, to protect cuticles from turning rough and raggedy.

14. Quell a Cold Sore with CreamWhen a cold sore is coming on, dab a bit of thick moisturizer, like Aquaphor, over it to prevent it from getting worse.

15. Freeze Your EyelinerIf the tip of your eyeliner pencil crumbles and smears on your lids, store the liner in the freezer for 15 minutes before use so the tip is firm and goes across your skin smoothly.

16. Use Toothpaste on a ZitUse just a pea-size amount. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the oil so the pimple won't get more clogged, then wash off.

17. Heat Up Your CurlerIf you have stick-straight lashes, try blasting your metal eyelash curler with a hair dryer for a couple seconds to heat it up so your lashes bend more easily. And use a waterproof mascara. The formula dries faster than other mascaras, so it sets the curl more effectively.

18. Use Soap Without WaterYou know those fancy bars that are actually too pretty to use? Toss them in your underwear or tee-shirt drawers to make your skin smell delicious.

19. Groom Brows with a ToothbrushMist an (unused!) toothbrush or eyebrow comb with hair spray to help flatten and tame unruly brows.

20. Put Diaper-Rash Cream on Dry SpotsSlather on a thick layer of diaper-rash cream to heal cracked elbows and feet.

21. Lubricate Your LashesAn easy way to draw attention to your eyes without putting on a pile of makeup is to comb petroleum jelly lightly through the tips of eyelashes to get a sexy, subtle sparkle.

22. Spike Lotion with BronzerIf you don't have time to book a self-tanning session, mix a few pumps of body bronzer with regular hand lotion and pat it on your legs for a gradual dose of sexy, beachy color.

23. Air-Dry Your CurlsLet your hair dry indoors before going out in the cold. The curls will be really bouncy and piecey-perfect.

24. Press a Tea Bag on SplotchesIf your skin is sensitive or just looking irritated and puffy for some reason, steep a bag of green tea for a minute or two, let it cool down, and dab it over your face. The antioxidants in the tea take down inflammation.

25. Shave with ConditionerRan out of shaving cream? Do double duty by coating your stems with a thick hair conditioner. It softens the hair so it's easier to shave off and makes legs feel amazingly silky.

26. Amp Shine with VinegarMix one part vinegar with four parts carbonated water, and soak dry hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before you shampoo to lock in shine and combat dullness.

27. Exfoliate Your PitsIf your underarms start to look dry and flaky, an easy trick is to exfoliate them with a gentle face scrub to keep that skin pretty when going sleeveless.

28. Customize Your Body LotionInstead of shelling out for an expensive perfumed body product, you can make your own by pouring a few drops of fragrance into any scent-free lotion. Rub it on-the scent will last for hours.

29. "Brush" with MouthwashIf you're too wiped out after a late night of partying to clean your teeth, rinse with water and mouthwash, then use a dry toothbrush on the area where your teeth hit your gums.

30. Make an Egg-White MaskTo revive tired, dull skin without hitting the spa table, try this: Crack open an egg in a bowl, separate the yolk, and use the egg whites to make a face mask. The proteins help to heal and restore skin's moisture. Leave it on for five minutes, and rinse off.

Hungry Girl

(Submitted by Kim)

Don't get all excited. We don't have any magic wand solutions that will take the place of exercise and eating right. But we do have a few foods that could help you on your journey to rid yourself of excess flab.

Hungry Girl's here with the scoop...

LEAN PROTEIN
To put it simply, protein takes a lot of effort for the body to break down and digest. A lot more than, say, fat. So while your body is working hard to process that protein, you're burning calories. HG tip -- eat fish! Chances are you're not getting enough of it. Not only is fish a fabulous source of lean protein, BUT many types are full of those Omega-3 fatty acids you're always hearing about. Beans are also a wonderful source of protein. And it's no secret how we feel about our friend the soybean. (Let's have a cheer for veggie patties and soy-meats!)

WHOLE GRAINS Belly fat is not particularly cute on anyone (except maybe babies), so it's exciting news that whole grains can do a number on that stubborn flab around your midsection. One of the easiest ways to get whole grains into your diet? Oatmeal in the morning. Quaker's Simple Harvest Multigrain Hot Cereal is really good and just full of grains. Also, Kashi GoLean's Hot Cereal packs in 7 whole grains and a big 5 - 7g fiber! Mmmmm...

GRAPEFRUIT Ever since you were a kid popping Flintstones Chewables, you've known that Vitamin C is good for you -- and that certainly hasn't changed. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant AND has been shown in studies to help burn fat. So, if you're looking for a snack, how's about a nice, juicy grapefruit? The theory is that grapefruit helps to lower insulin levels, which keeps you from being hungry all the time! We know it smacks of classic diet food, but those Ruby Reds are MIGHTY delicious! If it's too sour for you straight, sprinkle it with some no-calorie sweetener like Splenda or stevia.

GREEN TEA Green tea is EVERYWHERE. It's been classified as a "superfood" as it's been linked to reduced rates of heart disease and cancer. And now it helps us lose weight too? Green tea has been shown to raise our metabolism, which is key in our battle with the bad stuff. Researchers also suspect that substances called polyphenols combined with caffeine are responsible for its fat-burning properties. If the hot murky stuff doesn't do it for you, try
HG's Green Tea Crème Swappuccino! Only 75 calories and SO GOOD!

SPICY FOODS You know how when you eat spicy foods, you sometimes start to sweat a little (ew)? That's because it's given a little kick to your heart rate. These little kicks will result in a temporary increase in your metabolism, which will help you burn fat a little easier for a bit. A quick hit with cayenne, red pepper flakes, or whatever hot sauce you fancy should do the trick and get your blood pumping. And these spices are practically calorie-free. Yes!

LIGHT DAIRY Hey, dairy queens! Good news! It turns out that people who eat low-fat or fat-free dairy lose MORE weight than people who don't. Sure we mentioned protein before, but it bears bringing up again since the magical combo of calcium and protein seems to work wonders. We're WAY into yogurt, so we suggest picking up some Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt and mixing in your favorite fruits, sugar-free preserves... or whatever! Also, light string cheese is a GREAT little snack, with only around 50-60 calories and 2.5g fat a pop. Not bad for hard cheese, people.

WATER Experts say it's important to drink lots of water if you're trying to burn fat Your body can't work effectively if it's dehydrated -- not only will you FEEL like you don't have any energy, but also your body really won't have what it needs to function and burn off fat. Keep that machine humming -- drink around 8 glasses of water a day!

CINNAMON Sure this stuff tastes good -- that's why it's found in SO many things. But those chefs might not know that their sprinkling of cinnamon is helping the body process sugar more effectively and lower blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can lead to the body storing more fat, so maybe put together a little shaker of cinnamon and Splenda to sprinkle on your favorite foods! Then whip up some fat-burning cinnamon toast by using your new concoction on whole-wheat bread!

APPLES An apple a day isn't going to keep the gym away, but it'll probably make your diet plan more effective. Word on the street is that the pectin contained in apples limits how much fat your cells can absorb. (SWEET!) Plus it's a naturally soluble fiber, which is always good. So next time you feel all snacky, grab whichever apple looks best to you.

The New "90210"

Most of us grew up watching 90201. Did anyone see the NEW 90210 last night? What did you think? Now that you are a parent, would you let your teenager watch this t.v. show? How do you think it compared to the old 90201?

90210 Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzWJULZ5sjg

Question of the week!

As we all know, pregnancy is such a gift! However, sometimes we experience some unpleasant symptoms during those first few weeks of pregnancy. Any good tips or suggestions on how to make those first few weeks a little easier?

Vaccine Article

(submitted by Crystal)

Unvaccinated kids one reason for record measles year

Thu, Aug 21, 2008 (HealthDay News) — Some parents' refusal to vaccinate children seems to be behind the highest rate of measles cases reported since 1996, federal officials said Thursday.

Between Jan. 1 and July 31 of this year, 131 measles cases have been reported in the United States, many of them among children whose parents have philosophical or religious objections to the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 15 patients, including four children 15 months or younger, were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. By comparison, 55 cases of measles were reported in 2006, 66 in 2005, 37 in 2004, 56 in 2003 and 44 in 2002, for an average of about 64 per year."Every year, we experience importation of measles from other countries and from those going abroad, but this year is different. Once measles is imported here, we're seeing it spread to many more people,"

Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a Thursday teleconference. "Many cases are in children who are eligible for vaccination but who have not been immunized because of parents' decisions."Before the measles vaccine became available in the mid-1960s, the disease caused an estimated 450 deaths and 4,000 cases of measles encephalitis annually, some 1,000 of which resulted in chronic disability. In the decade before the vaccination was introduced, an estimated 3 million to 4 million people were infected each year.The disease was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, but sporadic cases are imported from other countries. Some 20 million cases still occur globally, said Dr. Jane Seward, deputy director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases' division of viral diseases.Measles is highly contagious and requires high vaccination rates. In a room of 100 people, only one of whom actually has measles, another 90 to 95 people will become infected, Seward said. "We need very high levels of population immunity, approximately 95 percent," she said.

The first cases in the current outbreak appeared in April in Washington state. Eight children in one household fell ill, four of them after attending a church conference, which may have been the source of the outbreak. In all, 19 people contracted measles, 11 of them home-schooled children who were not required to be vaccinated. The particular strain identified had been circulating in Japan and Europe, officials said.

In May, four girls aged 10 to 14 contracted measles in Illinois. All had attended at least one event together; the events were also attended by a teenager who had just returned from Italy and reportedly had fever and rash. Officials were unable to get more information on the traveler, but the strain identified this time had been circulating in Italy. Through July, a total of 32 cases were identified in Illinois, 25 of them in home-schooled children.

Other cases have been identified in New York (27), Arizona (14), California (14), Wisconsin (seven), Michigan (four), Hawaii (five), Arkansas (two), and Washington, D.C., and Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Virginia (one each), officials said.Of the 131 people throughout the United States who contracted measles this year, 112 were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. Sixteen were under 1 year of age and too young to be vaccinated.

Ninety-five patients were eligible for the vaccination, but 63 were not vaccinated because of their parents' beliefs, officials said.Seventeen of the total cases were "importations" — three each from Switzerland and Italy; two each from Israel, Belgium and India; one each from Germany, China, Pakistan, Russia and the Philippines. Israel, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Great Britain are all reporting outbreaks among individuals who have refused vaccination. Britain and Italy are reporting endemic measles, officials said.Officials emphasized the importance of keeping children's vaccinations current."We have been lucky to have low levels of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, but children can still get measles and can still spread measles, including to those too young to be immunized and those who can't be vaccinated because of medical reasons," Schuchat said.Seward added: "It's important in this country to maintain high levels of vaccination that have been so successful in limiting measles to relatively low numbers over the last decade. We would like to remind parents, as their children go back to school, whether or not they attend in schools or are home-schooled or attend day care, this is a good time to be considering their vaccination status for measles to protect them from acquiring this disease." -- Amanda Gardner What you can do:• Find out more about vaccines for your baby, toddler, 2- to 4-year-old, or 5- to 8-year-old.• Talk through your concerns and questions on our vaccines bulletin board.• Build a personalized immunization schedule for your child.

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