No More Junk Mail

I don't know about you but I receive junk mail DAILY.  I hate it!  I think about all the trees used to produce all the paper for these daily mailings and although it goes directly into our recycling bin, it takes energy to recycle it all over again.  When did I sign up for this?  

Did you know:

Basic Facts

• The majority of household waste consists of unsolicited mail.
• 100 million trees are ground up each year for unsolicited mail.
• It wastes 28 billion gallons of water for paper processing each year.
• More than half of unsolicited mail is discarded unread or unopened; the response rate is less than 2%.
• The result is more than 4 million tons of paper waste each year.
• It is difficult to recycle, as the inks have high concentrations of heavy metals.
• $320 million of local taxes are used to dispose of unsolicited mail each year.
• It costs $550 million yearly to transport junk mail.
• Scarce landfill space disfigures rural areas and pollutes ground water.
• We each get about 40 pounds of junk mail a year, more than a tree's worth per family!

Here are some fast facts on junkmail waste by the Native Forest Network.
There is something you can do about it.  Go to www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm or http://www.ecofuture.org/jnkmail.html to learn more about what you can do to stop the mail coming to your mailbox.  It takes 5 min. of your time and is well worth it!

Mommy Bridget

Fertility Woes

I came across an article this morning about infertility and thought it would be beneficial for those of you struggling to conceive and/or struggling to keep a baby growing inside...this would be very useful and give you more hope that you can take control of the situation by making simple changes.  I actually thought about this yesterday as I read about toxins in our bodies.  While some toxins have very little to no affect on one individual that same toxin, in combination with another individual's DNA, physical condition, or an environmental factor can wreak havoc on their body and their ability to conceive. 

Looking back, I remember how sick I felt the first 3 months of pregnancy.  This sickness was due to the enourmous amount of vitamins and nutrients my growing placenta needed in order to grow to where it needed to be to grow a baby.  The placental growth pulls everything it possibly can from the rest of a woman's body...hence the increase of teeth cavities, change of skin and hair, and the nausea.  If those nutrients aren't there for which the placenta to pull from, it will know it cannot safely grow a baby.  It's amazing how our organs make decisions such as that!  Our bodies really do amazing things...

So if you are struggling with infertility, or any other ailment you cannot "fix"...try starting out with the basics.  Like I always say, the simplist answer is usually the right answer!

Since this article is so long, I will copy only an excerpt.  To view the entire link, click on my title or copy and paste the link below:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/29/10-Ways-to-Address-Your-Root-Causes-of-Infertility--Naturally.aspx

10 Strategies You Can Immediately Implement to Treat Infertility and Boost Fertility Naturally
The natural approach to treating infertility solves the root causes of infertility, by addressing all body systems, rather than just focusing solely on the reproductive system.
Many couples who can’t become pregnant suffer from a combination of sub-clinical conditions. These conditions can’t cause infertility on their own but -- in combination -- they can substantially reduce a couple’s probability of conceiving.
For example; a gluten intolerance alone cannot cause infertility; however, the resulting inflammation in the gut can minimize your nutrient absorption and lead to deficiencies in nutrients you need for optimal sperm, egg and hormone production and a healthy pregnancy. Exposure to heavy metals, radiation, and toxic chemicals in some foods, drugs and other products can damage DNA. Recent Nutrigenomic (a study of the effects of nutrients on gene expression) research suggests what we eat can influence our gene structure and expression.

Source:

Keene, I. 2008, “Natural Fertility Prescription”, Switzerland.
Written by:

Iva Keene is the author of the Natural Fertility Prescription; a home study course that walks you through 7 steps to optimal fertility. Iva’s Web site, http://www.natural-fertility-prescription.com , an invaluable resource for couples wanting to get pregnant, offers dozens of tips for boosting fertility naturally and addressing infertility conditions.

Mommy Bridget

Nursing giggles

Why is it that everytime I breastfeed my son, he smiles and giggles the entire time?  I swear the wee ones breastfeeding must be getting some hormone released into their body just as the mothers do...either that or I am just nursing a boy!

Mommy Bridget

Suburban Housewife

And the mommies shall be singin'...

Mommy Bridget

H1N1 Update

I recommend clicking on the title to this posting for an update on the truth about H1N1.
Below is an excerpt (from Dr. Mercola):

The CBS investigative report included state-by-state test results that revealed some VERY different facts from what the US Centers for Disease Control has been telling the American public.
The CBS report found that H1N1 flu cases are NOT AT ALL as prevalent as feared. A CBS article even states:

"If you've been diagnosed "probable" or "presumed" 2009 H1N1 or "swine flu" in recent months, you may be surprised to know this: odds are you didn't have H1N1 flu.

In fact, you probably didn't have the flu at all.
The results reveal a pattern that surprised a number of health care professionals we consulted. The vast majority of cases were negative for H1N1 as well as seasonal flu, despite the fact that many states were specifically testing patients deemed to be most likely to have H1N1 flu, based on symptoms and risk factors, such as travel to Mexico."

In most states the percentages ranged from 83 to 98 percent NOT BEING H1N1 or influenza. 

 

Mommy Bridget

Weekend Savings

Just wanted to boast...I saved $35 this weekend in coupons savings.  For things we needed!!! 
Gotta love the coupon resources, Whole Foods, and especially SuperTarget!!!
Mommy Bridget

H1N1 Improbable

A three-month-long investigation by CBS News, released earlier this week that  included state-by-state test results, revealed some very different facts. The CBS study found that H1N1 flu cases are NOT as prevalent as feared. A CBS article even states:

"If you've been diagnosed "probable" or "presumed" 2009 H1N1 or "swine flu" in recent months, you may be surprised to know this: odds are you didn't have H1N1 flu. In fact, you probably didn't have flu at all."

Mommy Bridget

Vitamin D to the Rescue

Wow Vitamin D is important for our health and well being. I've heard information about it here and there but in researching it myself, I am truly convinced. Click on this posting title to a link about its importance or copy and paste the link below into your web browser.

Thank you Dr. Mercola for your sincere concern in our health!

Mommy Bridget

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/27/important-vitamin-d-update.aspx

Cudos to the Many

I woke up to feeling obliged to quote a paragraph from a book borrowed to me (thank you AGAIN Jess). There are so many wonderful mothers out there. But so many of those same people cross judgment on one another. It's unnecessary, it's unwanted, and it's caused purely from insecurities. And so I believe this excerpt will be a valuable reminder of who we are as mothers, as individuals, and the amazing possibilities we have right in front of us if we only would let go of the insecurities we face and be who we truly are.

The saddest part of life lies not in the act of dying, but in failing to truly live while we are alive. Too many of us play small with our lives, never letting the fullness of our humanity see the light of day. I've learned that what really counts in life, in the end, is not how many toys we've collected or how much money we've accumulated, but how many of our talents we've liberated and used for a purpose that adds value to this world. What truly matters most are the lives we've touched and the legacy that we've left.


Family Wisdom from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Robin Sharma

8 Easy Ways to Save Money in Your Home

Below are 8 easy ways to not only save money on your utility bills but also to reduce carbon emissions.

1. Reduce temperature this winter by 2 degrees during the day and 10 degrees when you are away for the day or during the night.

2. Wash all laundry in cold (with the exception of bedding). About 90% of energy used during laundry cycles goes to heating the water.

3. Recycle your old refrigerator. The old refrigerators use up the majority of electricity out of all appliances, especially the older models. Replace it with an energy efficient model which not only eliminates energy used but you can also get a rebate from your local energy companies with the purchase. Some also pick up your old refrigerator at no cost and send you a check in the mail for recycling it. Talk about a no brainer!

4. Switch out current light bulbs with the 6-year fluorescent bulbs. They consume 25% of electricity compared to the regular bulbs and last up to 12 times longer.

5. Switch off electronics when not in use. That cell phone charger always plugged in to the outlet, whether charging the phone or not, is still pulling electricity out. You can also unplug the toaster, microwave, DVD player...even though they are not in use they still are idling therefore using power.

6. Adjust your water heater temperature to 120 degrees.

7. While running your dishwasher, be sure to have a full load, skip the pre-rinse cycle (I always run mine on a short cycle which still lasts an hour plus) and air dry.

8. Install a low flow showerhead and low flow faucet heads. These are very inexpensive and can reduce up to 370 pounds of emissions/year plus save on your heat and water bills.

These are very easy ways to reduce our monthly bills and reduce our carbon footprint. You can also go to your local utility company web sites for more ways to reduce bills and for rebate offers on purchasing energy efficient appliances and recycling programs.

Have a wonderful day!

Mommy Bridget

60 Minutes Reports on the H1N1 epidemic

I apreciate good journalism so I thought you might too...especially during the wake of daily reports of "H1N1".

While watching this video clip, ask yourself the question..."why is the government, the CDC, and the media giving this flu strain so much attention when it's no different than any other flu?"

Now ask yourself who would benefit from this attention.

The answer stares you directly in the face.

Watch CBS News Videos Online
My postings may be becoming redundant but I hear daily more and more people I know are "diagnosed" with the H1N1 flu.  People are scared.  And so I feel obligated as a mother, as a caregiver, to give peace of mind to all of you.  Just like any other flu, the statistics of suffering to the extent of needing hospitalization is equally the same as any flu any year. I feel terrible for those who suffer this year from the flu..  

But how do we know the risks involved with the H1n1 vaccine when it was just FDA approved? Are the risks greater getting the vaccine than not and possibly getting H1N1 this year?

Mommy Bridget

Protecting your Credit

In the wake of difficult economic times for most Americans, it is important to take more precautions with your personal identity and credit.  I ran across this blogger article this morning and after getting my free credit report last night for the first time in 2 years, thought it is an important reminder for everyone.

Click on the title of my link for a horror story involving identity theft...and family.

You can go to www.freecreditreport.com for an up-to-date summary of your credit.

Be proactive and protect yourself before it's too late!

Mommy Bridget

Keedo

My Mom sent me a catalog of the cutest clothes for babes, tots, and kids.  Their clothes are totally unique, made in Africa to support local job creation, and many proceeds are given to disadvantaged children through 'Keedo Cares' Projects.  They also use many organic cottons for those of you who love the organic products and textures.

Enjoy!

Mommy Bridget

Mercury Rising

My son woke up at 4:30am again this morning....let him cry himself back to sleep which never happened.  The good news is the entire house got to listen to him scream for and hour and a half until I went in and got him.

Second day this week.

So being especially angry this morning, I will rant on the obsurdity of the H1N1 hype:

In pushing this vaccine forward, Washington suspended mercury restrictions in the flu vaccine.  Mercury has been used as a preservative in vaccines for years until it was found to cause serious neurological disorders and has been linked to autism.

While the public assumes mercury in Thimerasol has been removed from vaccines...it has not.

People!  Hello!!!  Anybody in there???  This is much more dangerous than getting the flu.  But if you want to give in to all the media hype and harm your body while putting more cash in the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies... be my guest.

Do your homework.

Mommy Bridget

Media Overdone

Today's headline on our news channel said 3 dead in Utah from the Swine Flu, 126 confirmed cases in Utah of the Swine flu or the seasonal flu.

I wonder if anyone really thinks about the confirmed cases of the seasonal flu but only that it COULD be the swine flu???

The media has taken over our minds...ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh and here's one for ya this morning... a friend from back home received a letter in the mail a few days ago from the local hospital stating that she is going to have to bring her 6 mo. old back for another flu vaccine.  Apparently the original vaccine given wasn't "kept at the proper temperature". 

Drink that in with your morning coffee!!!

Mommy Bridget

Adult Acne ugh!

Growing up I was blessed with good skin.  No really, I can count the number of those icky blemishes I got as a teenager on one hand.  After my teenage years, I assumed I was clear of the side affects of hormones from puberty.  I assumed wrong.

Before I new I was preggo, I noticed the skin on my face had a new "shine" to it.  Everytime I glanced in the mirror it looked and felt as though I had 5 layers of oily makeup on.  So I began a stricter regimen of washing my face twice a day versus once.  Nothing changed.  It became worse.  Then the scary news...I was pregnant.

As my body began to explode in every which direction, my face began to break out.  "I loved my skin when I was pregnant" was all I ever heard.  "Pregnant women have a beautiful glow".  Ya right...I was glowing so much you could see your reflection on my face!  It was gross.

But I was pregnant.  There was nothing I could do about my newfound sheen.  And the acne on my face was nothing of importance in comparison to the wonder growing in my belly, so I sucked it up "knowing" that it would clear after the baby was out.  WRONG!

17 months later, although the clear shine on my face is now gone...I've been left with small bouts of adult acne.  And it's wonderful.  I guess it's a (very) small price we pay for motherhood.

Mommy Bridget

Sniffle Sniffle

As my son woke up yesterday with a low-grade fever, a cough, and the sniffles...I tried to think back to WHO Park was around that could have passed on the cold his way.  In the past, whenever I was feeling the cold lurking in my body or saw the same in my son, I always forewarned anyone who might come our way.  Am I wrong in thinking that bringing your germs into our home without warning or so much as a concern is utterly rude? I guess some people are too wrapped up in their own lives that they don't bother to think about how it affects those around them.  (and depending on the virus type, exposing children to one of the many cold viruses does NOT necessarily "boost" their immune system...  it can suppress it by further decreasing its ability to fight off other viruses)  Nonetheless, he could have gotten the cold virus from anywhere!

And since it's a virus that the two of us are trying to fight off, there is no sense in going to the doctor because there is no "cure" for the common cold.  Fortunately, I was recommended a handful of years ago (thanks Jen) a great natural remedy and since then, a have only had a few short lived colds during that time.  See below:

• put 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil and 5 drops tea tree oil into a humidifier during sleep time
  
• I also put drops in the shower while I am in there and I breathe deep

 
I have done this for my 17 mo. old for the 3 colds he has had in his life and none of the viruses ever made it past a few days in his system.  The essential oils have anti fungal and antibacterial properties.  Gotta love the simplest and natural methods when dealing with our bodies!  If a cold befalls you this season, I really recommend trying this method.  Good luck!

Mommy Bridget

ps  oh and Mom, don't forget to fill that humidifier for Dad today:)

Mommy Stress Relief

Stress comes in all different signs from constant fatigue to mood disorders to change in appetite, weight gain or weight loss, you name it!.  We all exhibit stress in a variety of ways and being a Mommy is no different.  I'm not saying that motherhood is all stress, but I am saying that at times it is not a piece of cake.  (although I have to say that as Park as gotten older I find it much much less stressful)  All you Mommies that told me time and time again that the first year is tough but that it gets much better after that were SO right!!!  And to all of you that are in your first year and are having a tough time coping with sleeplessness and stress from the demands of motherhood...it does get better!  And before you know it, you will be wanting to do it all over again!

Anyways, I came across some valuable information for dealing with stress.  Being the type of individual who likes to constantly be busy, I found that motherhood and all the other things I wanted to do at the same time really don't mix.  I can't tell you how many times a day I had to tell myself to relax, the gardening or the house cleaning or reading a book or work with my Dad can wait.  There is no better time than RIGHT NOW to envelope myself in my child's life and in order to be at my best for my child, I need to reduce my self induced stress.  So here is how you accomplish just that:

• take stress relief seriously!  Stress takes years off our lives.  Not enough rest can lead to a stressed out body which can induce heart problems as well as other ailments.  Day to day stress is bad for your heart; it causes the adrenal glands to pump out cortisol, a hormone that pushes up blood pressure and strains the heart and blood vessels.  I don't want to die of a stress heart attack in 20 years because I couldn't relax.
• self-care...you only have one body during this lifetime so why not take care of it?  Eat healthy, exercise regularly, rest, and laugh!
• exercise, yoga, tai-chi, and meditation are just a few ways to help reduce stress and can lower blood pressure significantly
• find a primary health care physician (versus getting all your check-ups from you OB/GYN) and get regular physicals and a full blood work up to help manage your heart health and other related issues

Remember:  Your stress health has a great impact on your child's well-being

Have a nice stress free day!

Mommy Bridget

Please watch if you are considering the flu vaccine for your children

Just Say No to Drano

After dealing with a clogged shower drain more times than I want to speak about, I thought I would offer some good advice when caring for and treating the nasty issue:

Instead of opting for a toxic product to treat your drain clog, try something natural and more effective.  Pour a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar down your drain.  Plug the opening with a cleaning rag and let the bubbles from the mixture work through the clog.  After 5 minutes, rinse with hot water.  Repeat if necessary.

No need to put harmful products down your drain and into our water system not to mention pay for such a product.  Vinegar is so inexpensive and such a great all-purpose cleaner.

Breath Easy and Enjoy!

Mommy Bridget

Cell Phone Use Linked to Brain Tumors

Worth the read!

Mommy Bridget

Click on the title to this post or copy and paste the link below:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/29/More-Confirmation-That-Cell-Phones-Cause-Brain-Tumors.aspx

The Motherly Bond

I find it interesting the variety of views from mothers of impressions they want to make upon their children.  Some believe to be a good mother, one must strictly breast feed (no bottles).  Or some believe that to be a good mother, one must always choose what their pediatrician advises (hello mothers, we have a choice!)  Others believe that to be a good mother, one must be fruitful and multiply while some believe less is better.  Quality vs. quantity or stay at home mothers vs. career mothers?  Pacifiers or no pacifiers?  Play groups or no play groups?  Babysitters or no babysitters?  The ideas and perceptions are endless.

What I want to know is...what is so difficult about being the best mother you believe you can be to your children AND have a different view about what is the best for your children than other moms?    Mothers are too judgemental on one another.  But why?  Sometimes I think that the source or root of most judgements are based on personal insecurities.  "That mother doesn't vaccinate their child, she is NOT a good mother."  Well maybe the woman judging secretly worries about vaccine safety.  What is so difficult about NOT judging and respecting other's choices?  After all, how many mothers do YOU know that wish to not give their children everything in the world or wish to make choices that negatively affect their children's lives?  For me, none.  Do I judge for the differences in parenting?  To be honest...sometimes.  But I force myself to quickly reconnect with reality.  Everyone's views are different.  Reality is that most families cannot survive with only one income or some supermommies have no choice because they ARE the only parents! 

We as women have survived hundreds of thousands of years supporting one another and caring for one another's offspring.  There was no such thing as one mom, one dad and their babies surviving solely with each other.  Women have always stuck together...nurturing their babies together and nurturing the bond that allowed women and children to survive and that have come to BE.

I have had the pleasure to be supported during my difficult times of raising my little one by other mommies and I can honestly say I'm not sure how I could have gotten through it without them.  I hope that by me lending a helping hand others can say the same thing about me.  I truly believe in the healthy unit of mommies.  Support and encouragement without judgment is the best way.

Mommy Bridget

p.s. off to gain support from what I hear an amazing midwife then off to give support to a busy mommy in need

Mommy Bridget

In response to "The Male Brain: What's Really Going On in There"

In response to the article below, can't we just give up the mumbo jumbo and say, "not a whole hell of a lot at one time"? (Note that a woman wrote the investigative article). OR, let me help Ms. Mithers answer the question by saying that what is REALLY going on in a male's brain is sex, big machines, and male-male competition.

The Male Brain: What's Really Going On in There


Is he truly incapable of putting down the toilet seat? Can he really have passionate sex and not even think about calling you again? We go exploring for answers.

By Carol Mithers

The more science learns about how men are different from us (right down to the structure of their brains), the more we find ourselves hoping it will finally explain some age-old mysteries. For instance:

Why do men keep their cars spotless but live like pigs at home—while for women it's the other way around?

According to Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D., author of The Essential Difference: Male and Female Brains and the Truth About Autism, men's neurological wiring tends to make them better at systems, while women are superiorly rigged for empathy. Which could help explain why — although the culture is changing — guys still take such pride in their machines, while women often care more about maintaining a clean home.

Another clue comes from a 2007 study (conducted for BMW by a British team that included Oxford psychologists), which found that male drivers actually view their cars as extensions of themselves. Women, whose self-image is tied more directly to their bodies, are likely to think of their vehicles as separate entities, the authors suggest. But because men are less tuned-in to their bodies, they easily project their identity onto an object. If only that object were a sink full of dirty dishes.

Why do men like to watch violent sports, while a good number of women would rather do almost anything else?

The truth is, football has a lot of female fans (44.3 million women watched the 2009 Super Bowl, for example). But guys are drawn to football (and boxing and wrestling) in ways that women aren't. Men tend to be more aggressive, says Lucy L. Brown, Ph.D., a professor in the departments of neurology and neuroscience at Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. The difference likely involves hormones (like testosterone) and sensitivities to those hormones in parts of the brain such as the hypothalamus — which, in animals, is associated with aggression. Fine, but does he really have to shriek "Kill him!" when the other team's quarterback is about to get sacked? Yes, he does: If you're a guy, watching your team win increases testosterone levels, according to a 1998 study in Physiology & Behavior. Viewing combative sports also helps men identify with traditional ideals of masculinity like domination, risk taking, and competition, explains Douglas Hartmann, PhD, associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota. "In fact," he says, "the less physically competitive his daily life is, the more sports can become a means toward achieving those ideals, at least in his mind."

Why can a man enthusiastically (very enthusiastically) sleep with a woman he knows he'll never see again?

Well, there's the old Evolution Did It theory: Men are hardwired to spread their seed; women, to find a mate who will protect the children she may bear. Physical differences may play a role, too. According to Lisa Diamond, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah, not only do female rats have more extensive brain circuits for oxytocin — which helps mammals to bond — than males but in humans, women show greater release of the neurochemical during sex (especially orgasm) than men.

Also, biological anthropologist and Rutgers University professor Helen Fisher, Ph.D., notes: "The two brain hemispheres are less well connected in men than in women. This gives men the ability to focus on one thing at a time and be very goal oriented, whereas the female brain is built to assimilate many feelings at once, and to connect sex and love much more rapidly." Interesting, plausible theories all, but Lucy Brown cautions that we're still really just guessing. And in the end, the fact that men forever remain a bit of a mystery may be part of what keeps us intrigued.

Just the Facts of the H1N1 Vaccine...Not the Hype

Below is part of a new blog post from Barbara Loe Fisher, Co-founder and President of the Vaccine Information Center. I know my postings on the Swine Flu Vaccine are becoming redundant, but the hype in our country is spreading at an alarming rate and the flu is clearly not understood.

Here is just an excerpt:

Just the Facts, Not the Hype

So, here are the facts:

* The new swine influenza is mild for most people even though a small number have developed complications and died.

* The swine flu vaccine has been tested for only a few weeks on a few thousand healthy children and adults, including very few pregnant women. We don't know how safe it really is for pregnant women or children and adults with chronic illness even though they are being specially targeted for vaccination by government health officials.

* There is very little information about how safe it is to give swine flu vaccine with other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccine.

* There is very little information about whether the swine flu shot will keep you from getting swine flu.

You can read more at http://vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2009/10/mild-swine-flu-over-hyped-vaccine.html or click on the title of this post.

Get informed...
Mommy Bridget