Bug Repellent

(From Shannon at HMN)

New on the market are Vitamin B-1 wipes or patches. I think the name is Don't Bite Me. The idea is that it has no smells and gets right into the blood stream as to not make you or your child so yummy to bugs.

I have not tried them yet but sounds safe and good......otherwise make sure your child is taking a good multivitamin with b-1 and keep the sugar down and they won't be so yummy to bugs!

Question of the week!

Name your favorite products:

Beauty:

Cleaning:

Kids (sunscreen, lotion, bug spray, wipes, diaper cream, etc.?):

Top Five Baby Thermometers

http://www.babble.com/best-thermometers-safety-1st-complete-family-thermofocus-5-in-1-non-contact-exergen-temporal-artery-apex-temp-quik-forehead-strip-clinical-medical-infrared-4-in-1-digital/

Fun Tips!

1) Choose parchment paper over aluminum foil when cooking/baking. Aluminum foil can leak aluminum into your food. YUCK!!!!

2) Use olive oil in one of those cooking spray bottles (you can find them at Bed, Bath and Beyond- the spray bottle can also be used for spritzing salads or veggies) to line your pans for baking. This would replace pam which has propellent in it.

(Please feel free to submit your own health/cooking/baby/green/beauty/etc. tips to either Danielle or Amy so we can post them on the blog.)

Question of the week!

In your opinion, what were the advantages/disadvantages of a vaginal delivery?

If you had a c-section, what were the advantages/disadvantages?

Another Question of the Week

What are your Father's Day traditions? What are you doing this year for Father's Day? What are you buying the father of your children?

Question of the week!

In your opinion, what is the touchiest "parenting" topic? Breastfeeding? Co-bedding? Certain behaviors while pregnant?

Is it difficult to support someone when you totally disagree with what they are doing?

NMF's 2nd Anniversary

YOUR CHILD on the cover of Parents Magazine!

Submit pictures of your child for the annual cover-model contest...

Go to 

www.parents.com/cover-kid 

The best gift for a new mom!

Want to make a meal for a new mom but don't have the time? Check out this website:

http://www.sendameal.com/inc/sdetail/74

A few health tips!

(Taken from the Holistic Mom's Group)

1. Make the switch from Canola Oil to Grape Seed Oil. Grape Seed Oil contains several antioxidants and can be used for salad dressings, cooking, baking, etc.

2. Make the switch from regular salt to either Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt.


Benefits of Himalayan Salt:

Regulating the water content throughout your body.
Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
Supporting respiratory health.
Promoting sinus health.
Prevention of muscle cramps.
Promoting bone strength.
Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep.
Supporting your libido.
Promoting vascular health.
In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure.

Can there be romance with THREE in bed?

(Submitted by Kim)

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/06/08/p.romance.three.in.bed/index.html

This is soooo tempting!

(Submitted by Kim)

Gender testing as early as ten weeks after conception!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/09/gender.prediction.test/index.html

Question of the week!

Describe a typical day?

It is always fun to hear what other people do throughout their day. Obviously, everyday is different when you have kids but on average, what does a typical day look like for you? When posting, think about activities, t.v. shows, regular errands, bedtime routines, etc.

Safe Sunblock...Is there such a thing???

(From Heather at http://www.purealternatives.com/)


"It's important to understand that there is difference between sunscreen and sunblock . Sunscreen helps filter sun and prevent sunburn (UVA), sunblock physically blocks out UVA and UVB. Both contain synthetic ingredients so there’s really no such things as a ‘natural’ sunblock or sunscreen.

It’s generally believed that mineral sunscreens are safer. These products typically contain Zinc oxide (ZO) and Titanium dioxide (TO) and contain very small traces of minerals (often called nanoparticles) that can penetrate the skin and have been linked to cellular damage and free radical formation. The horrible irony is that though mineral products block damaging UVA and UVB rays, the combination of sunlight perpetuates the formation of the free radicals when combined with the ingredients. Excess free radicals ae known to cause cancer. So...you either don’t use and risk skin cancer from exposure, or use and risk the potential cancer and other health problems from use of synthetic chemicals right?

My recommendation if you decide to use Mineral based products, be sure it does not say “micronized’. Also be sure whatever you choose be sure you do not see any of the following ingredients listed:"

Any “paraben” (butyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl)
Octyl-methoxycinnamate
Octyl-dimethyl
PABAMexoryl
SXParsol 1789Benzophenone
3Homosalate