Homeade Cleaners

I love my homeade, non-toxic all-purpose cleaner I use for my kitchen and bathroom!  Not only does it work better than other all-purpose cleaners on the market shelves but it's very inexpensive, safe to breathe, and it smells really refreshing. 

My all-purpose cleaner recipe is:

10 drops of eucaplyptus oil
10 drops of tea tree oil
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
a few drops of liquid soap (I like the Meyer's brand from Whole foods)
hot water

I put this all in a used spray bottle and shake it well.  I use this on my granite, stove top, refrigerator, you name it!

Enjoy!

Mommy Bridget

"A" for Effort

I love this short article from Dr. Mercola's newsletter with regards to childrens learning capabilities and achievements in effort. 

I always wondered why my own father continued to praise not my academic achievement during adolescence but my effort in doing so.

I love you Dad!

Mommy Bridget

The Secret to Raising Smart Kids

Posted by: Dr. Mercola
December 22 2007 | 52,674 views

More than three decades of scientific research suggests that repeatedly telling children that they are especially smart or talented leaves them vulnerable to failure, and fearful of challenges.
Children raised this way develop an implicit belief that intelligence is innate and fixed, making striving to learn seem less important than seeming smart; challenges, mistakes, and effort become threats to their ego rather than opportunities to improve.
However, teaching children to have a “growth mind-set,” which encourages effort rather than on intelligence or talent, helps make them into high achievers in school and in life. This results in “mastery-oriented” children who tend to think that intelligence is malleable and can be developed through education and hard work.
This can be done by telling stories about achievements that result from hard work. Talking about math geniuses who were born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, but descriptions of great mathematicians who developed amazing skills over time creates a growth mind-set.

Sources:
  Scientific American November 28, 2007

Note on Black Friday

After this morning's shopping event, I had to remark on my discoveries:

Not only did I find some good grocery deals on Thanksgiving type foods, or discount DVD's in the comedic genre, but what I seemed to be most successful in finding and not much to my surprise was a lot of crazed and rude people...most of all me.

Message of the day:  Don't mess with a mom!
Happy shopping!!!
Mommy Bridget

Black Friday

What is "Black Friday" supposed to mean anyways?  It's 6:45am and I'm starting to feel the media induced pressure to start planning my morning of which stores to invade and what to purchase.  Damn they do a good job convincing you to shop!

I'll let you know what I find.  Wish me luck!  Or wish our bank account luck...

Mommy Bridget

Happy to Give Thanks

I've always been a fan of celebrating what we are thankful for and celebrating with family and friends in an environment of yummy foods and cheers.

So with respect to today's American holiday, I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends and for all that we have been so blessed with.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!
Mommy Bridget

Bis-A in canned foods

I've been hearing and reading a lot of information lately on the dangers of Bis-A in canned foods (of all places) so I thought I would look into the news. Below is a little of what I found:  

Bisphenol A in Canned Food: Consumer Reports Tests Reveal Widespread Contamination


Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical which has been linked to reproductive abnormalities, increased risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease, has been restricted in some states and entirely in Canada due to the associated health concerns. Concerns about the chemical in food containers, plastic bottles, and toys have been increasingly discussed and debated over the past few years as the Food and Drug Administration decides what a "safe" level of exposure to BPA might be. This month, Consumer Reports published the results of their latest tests of canned foods, including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans of 19 name-brand foods. Their tests found that almost all contain measurable levels of BPA, including those labeled “organic” and in some foods labeled “BPA-free."

The results are reported in the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, available free online.


http://www.mothering.com/green-living/bisphenol-a-in-canned-food

Just a little something to think about...

Mommy Bridget

Turkey, thanks!

What do you think about PETA's ad? What the little girl comments about most turkey farms is true. Maybe it's an awakening to be more conscious of what you eat this holiday season...I myself picked up a turkey from Whole Foods. I'm sure my little guy didn't have much of a better life than any other turkey from a farm. Michael Pollan has written a lot about the truths in food farms. I recommend his eye opening page turners.

Mommy Bridget

Calling all Sales!

I found a great little web site that sells last year's designs for children and Mommas at discount prices.

Check it out.

www.theminisocial.com

"Positive Parenting"

A friend forwarded these principles to me. I printed them out and posted then on my refrigerator as a daily reminder.  I feel that by following points such as the one below clearly establishes positive behavior from your child.
Thanks Jess for forwarding these to me!

Mommy Bridget
www.parentrx.com

Dr. Latham’s Principles of Positive Parenting

1. Seize opportunities to have frequent positive interactions with your children.

2. Clearly establish and communicate expectations.

3. Clearly establish and dispense consequences.

4. Ignore behaviors which do not threaten the basic quality of life, limb, and property.

5. Attend to inappropriate behavior unemotionally, precisely, directly, and instructionally.

6. Do not question a non-compliant child about his or her behavior, or ask them to explain their behavior.

7. Use the inappropriate behavior of one child as a cue to attend to the appropriate behavior of other children.

8. Smile and laugh, talk and touch – a lot!

9. Assess behavior analytically and treat it clinically.

10. Do what it takes to keep your marriage strong and happy – this is the foundation for the success of the whole family.

Power to the Probiotic!

I found another benefit of taking probiotics...recent research suggests a link between intestinal health, inflammation, and asthma.  Below is a link to an article suggesting such.
http://ccis.stanford.edu/newsarticles/umetsu2/NIReview.pdf
So for those who suffer from asthma...take a probiotic with 6-8 billion organisms per dose and take on an empty stomach.  Might as well try!

Mommy Bridget

WATCH worst toy list of 2009

Click on the title of this post or copy and paste the link below into your web browser for WATCH's worst safety toy list.

http://toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.shtml

Mommy Bridget

Swine Flu Vaccine Questionable Worldwide

Can you now guess at why the hype over the swine flu?  Can you say "big pharma"?

Mommy Bridget

Help Keep your Child's Immune System Strong

If any of you are worried about potential flu threats to your wee ones and the inability to protect them, there is good news!  There ARE things you can do help protect your children from getting sick by making their immune system stronger.  Below are just a few tips:

• probiotic supplement
• healthy diet
• sunshine!
• water
• make your home a smoke free zone
• fight fungi (keep home mold free)
• wash bedding once per week in hot water and put pillows in dust-proof zippered covers to keep away asthma-triggering dust mites
• wash floors and windowsills weekly with warm soapy water to protect kids from lead
• keep home pest free without using pesticides
• cut out chemical cleaning products
• wash child's hands, bottles, and toys often!

Good luck,

Mommy Bridget

Travel Tips

I don't know about you but with the cold upon us I have the itch to travel.  I found an article on good travel tips with many good points I wasn't aware of.  For example:

You can check out kayak.com to quickly scan online airfares for the lowest prices.  Now if I could only figure out a way to get my family somewhere warm:)

Happy travels,

Mommy Bridget

Strange fact of the day

Did you know that it's illigal to snore in Massachusetts unless all of your windows and doors are shut and locked?

Strange.

My husband would be screwed. 

Mommy Bridget

Good Quote for a Saturday

I came across this quote from the philanthropost and environmentalist Terea Heinz Kerry and thought it was great with regards to consumerism.

Women control most of the dollars in this country.  If you see that something is harmful, stop buying it.  I promise you, things will change.


Mommy Bridget

When to buy Organic

I always forget what produce contains higher traces of agricultural chemicals and which ones are okay to purchase conventionally.  (I also have difficulty remembering which fish contain mercury in comparison to others but will save that for another posting.)  You can download a shopper's guide so you don't forget at the market.  Go to www.foodnews.org and download a free guide to your computer or phone for easy access. 

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and www.foodnews.org:

Most Contaminated: THE DIRTY DOZEN

Consistent with two previous EWG investigations, fruits topped the list of the consistently most contaminated fruits and vegetables, with seven of the 12 most contaminated foods. The seven were peaches leading the list, then apples, nectarines and strawberries, cherries, and imported grapes, and pears. Among these seven fruits:

• Nectarines had the highest percentage of samples test positive for pesticides (97.3 percent), followed by peaches (96.7 percent) and apples (94.1 percent).
• Peaches had the highest likelihood of multiple pesticides on a single sample - 87.0 percent had two or more pesticide residues — followed by nectarines (85.3 percent) and apples (82.3 percent).
• Peaches and apples had the most pesticides detected on a single sample, with nine pesticides on a single sample, followed by strawberries and imported grapes where eight pesticides were found on a single sample of each fruit.
• Peaches had the most pesticides overall, with some combination of up to 53 pesticides found on the samples tested, followed by apples with 50 pesticides  and strawberries with 38.

Sweet bell peppers, celery, kale, lettuce, and carrots are the vegetables most likely to expose consumers to pesticides. Among these five vegetables:

• Celery had the highest of percentage of samples test positive for pesticides (94.1 percent), followed by sweet bell peppers (81.5 percent) and carrots (82.3 percent).
• Celery also had the highest likelihood of multiple pesticides on a single vegetable (79.8 percent of samples), followed by sweet bell peppers (62.2 percent) and kale (53.1 percent).
• Sweet bell peppers had the most pesticides detected on a single sample (11 found on one sample), followed by kale (10 found on one sample), then lettuce and celery (both with nine).
• Sweet bell peppers were the vegetable with the most pesticides overall, with 64, followed by lettuce with 57 and carrots with 40.

Least Contaminated: THE CLEAN FIFTEEN

The vegetables least likely to have pesticides on them are onions, sweet corn, asparagus, sweet peas, cabbage, eggplant, broccoli, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.

• Over half of the tomatoes (53.1 percent), broccoli (65.2 percent), eggplant (75.4 percent), cabbage (82.1 percent), and sweet pea (77.1 percent) samples had no detectable pesticides. Among the other three vegetables on the least-contaminated list (asparagus, sweet corn, and onions), there were no detectable residues on 90 percent or more of the samples.
• Multiple pesticide residues are extremely rare on any of these least contaminated vegetables. Tomatoes had the highest likelihood, with a 13.5 percent chance of more than one pesticide when ready to eat. Onions and corn both had the lowest chance with zero samples containing more than one pesticide.
• The greatest number of pesticides detected on a single sample of any of these low-pesticide vegetables was five (as compared to 11 found on sweet bell peppers, the vegetable with the most residues on a single sample).
• Broccoli had the most pesticides found on a single type of vegetable, with up to 28 pesticides, but far fewer than the most contaminated vegetable, sweet bell peppers, on which 64 were found.

The fruits least likely to have pesticide residues on them are avocados, pineapples, mangoes, kiwi, papayas, watermelon and grapefruit.

•  Fewer than 10 percent of pineapple, mango, and avocado samples had detectable pesticides on them, and fewer than one percent of samples had more than one pesticide residue.
• Though 54.5 percent of grapefruit had detectable pesticides, multiple residues are less common, with only 17.5 percent of samples containing more than one residue. Watermelon had residues on 28.1 percent of samples, and just 9.6 percent had multiple pesticide residues.
  

Cinnamonny goodness

Did you know cinnamon can help you lose weight?  According to Self magazine's article, 8 Foods that Combat Fat:   

Cinnamon

This spice could make your waistline nice. Sprinkling ¼ teaspoon on your food may prevent a post-meal insulin spike—this increase normally occurs after you eat and “signals the body that it should store fat rather than burn it,” explains Lauren Slayton, R.D., of New York City. Add a dash to your oatmeal, yogurt or coffee. 

 

I sprinkled some cinnamon in my coffee with Silk Vanilla creamer this morning and it was delish!!!

Mommy Bridget

Swedish Parental Security

I've heard of the wonderful governmental laws/benefits in Sweden in regards to maternity/paternity leave and so I thought I would research it myself.  After reviewing...all I can ask is, "when can I move?"

Below summarizes the benefits:

Social security and insurance                                         

Family and maternity benefits

Maternity benefit
If your work is physically taxing and you are unable to carry out your duties because you are pregnant, you can ask to be transferred to a different position. If this is not possible or if there are risks in the working environment, you may be entitled to a maternity allowance from 60 days prior to your anticipated confinement date.

Parental allowance and parental leave
Parental allowance can be claimed from 60 days before the anticipated confinement date. Parental leave can be taken as a whole day, half day, quarter day or an eighth of a day.

You are entitled to parental leave from seven weeks before your anticipated confinement date. You are also entitled to leave up until your child reaches the age of 18 months.

Until a child is eight years of age, parents have the right to reduce their working hours by 25%.

The right to parental leave is governed by the Swedish Act on Parental Leave (Föräldraledighetslagen). The law also stipulates that:

• Both mothers and fathers have the right to leave
• Adoptive parents are also covered by the law
• To qualify for parental leave, you need to have been employed for at least six months, or to have worked for at least 12 months during the past two years
• Leave can be taken as a single consecutive period or divided into separate periods
• Leave can be taken with or without parental allowance

A new father may take ten days’ leave with pay following the birth of a child, even if the mother is claiming parental allowance.

Parental allowance gives parents the opportunity to stay away from work to look after their child for a maximum of 480 days. The allowance is based on eligible sick pay earnings (SGI). For 390 of these days, the allowance is 80% (up to a certain maximum level) of SGI. 90 days is paid at a certain basic level. For those with no SGI, a parental allowance can also be obtained at this basic level. Parents are each entitled to half the parental allowance, but one parent is allowed to transfer their half of the allowance to the other, with the exception of 60 days.

Temporary parental allowance in the event of a child’s sickness
Temporary parental allowance can be given to parents who stay at home to look after sick children under the age of 12. After 18 days, a doctor’s certificate is required.

Child allowance and additional allowance for extra children
If you have a child under the age of 16 you will receive a child allowance if the child is resident in Sweden. Once the child reaches the age of 16 the child allowance will stop and be replaced by extended child allowance if your child is still attending school. Extended child allowance is paid until the month the child finishes secondary school.
If you have three or more children, you may be entitled to an additional allowance for extra children. Families may also be entitled to additional child allowance when children over 16 continue with their studies without any interruption.

Maintenance support
If you live with your child as a single parent, the child may be entitled to a maintenance allowance. The other parent will be expected to pay towards the child’s upkeep by paying a maintenance allowance. As parents you may agree the maintenance allowance for your child. If you are unable to reach agreement, the contribution will be fixed by a court.

http://ec.europa.eu/eures/main.jsp?catId=9081&acro=living&lang=en&parentId=7863&countryId=SE&living=

Sounds like a great country to live in if you want to stay at home with you babies the first few years.

Mommy Bridget

Good Crockpot recipe finder

A friend passed this blogspot web site along my way and so I am passing it along YOUR way because I think it's great.  It should be very useful during the winter months. 
Thanks Heidi!
Mommy Bridget

Sweet Emotions...

Perry: Tyler has quit Aerosmith
Posted Nov. 9, 2009 -- Steven Tyler has left Aerosmith, according to the band's guitarist Joe Perry, who told the Las Vegas Sun on Nov. 6 that their frontman had quit.

It's an end of not only an era, but wait...how old is Aerosmith?

Mommy Bridget

Surprising recyclable

As my husband and I spoke about running shoes this morning while I pulled out pair after pair of the no longer good enough to use shoes, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed about all the extra shoe clutter I had formed.  But those darn shoes were so expensive that I hate to throw them in the trash.  But then, ironically, I came across an article this morning on msn.com about "recycling oddities" and to my surprise...guess what one of the oddities was.  Shoes!  So I took this as a sign and thought I would share. 

Given their hefty price tag, you can bet that I run my running shoes into the ground before retiring them. But even worn out shoes can be recycled into building materials, or, if they still have some life in them, donated to the less fortunate. Check out the Website recycledrunners.com for shoe recycling facilities and organizations near you.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/living-green/staticslideshowdg.aspx?cp-documentid=21847661&gt1=32001

If your old shoes are still in good shape, you can always donate them to those in need.

Mommy Bridget

Medical Cover-up

I am really upset at the insistence by the CDC, medical doctors and the media that all pregnant women should be vaccinated by this experimental vaccine. The media repeats the manufacturers’ mantra that this vaccine is produced exactly like the seasonal flu, when in fact it is not. Yes, they use chicken eggs, but the rest has been fast tracked and many shortcuts on safety procedures have been allowed.
Dr. Russell Blaylock
Swine Flu--One of the Most Massive Cover-ups in American History


I constantly find myself reading or hearing information that is speculative and written without neither real educated knowledge on a particular subject or has any scholarly peer reviews of the result findings.  It is annoying... to say the least.  And so I try to only post important information that I feel is worth reading and that can be viewed as the best sources out there on the subject.  This article posted by Dr. Mercola was very well done in that respect.  Dr. Russell Blaylock uses only the sources held in the highest regard in the scientific community.  If I were to ever recommend you read any of my many articles on the H1N1 virus, this would be the one.  It's a long read but very well worth it.

http://products.mercola.com/swine-flu/20091103.htm
Spread the word!

Mommy Bridget

Retail Coupon Web site

Hey!!!  I found a super cool web site when I was searching for prices for Park's Earth Mama Baby Angel butt balm...this stuff is the best btw!  Anyways, I was shopping around and found a webs site that gives you promotion codes for when shopping online.

http://www.retailmenot.com/

You should check it out.  I used it and saved 20% instantly.

Mommy Bridget

Mom Kicked Off Flight for Screaming Tot....What?!!!

Southwest apologizes to mom kicked off flight

2-year-old’s ‘Go! Plane! Go!’ and ‘I want Daddy’ screams too much for crew

SAN JOSE, Calif. - A spokesman for Southwest Airlines says the carrier has apologized to a mother who was kicked off a plane along with her unruly 2-year-old earlier this week.

Spokesman Chris Mainz said the airline called Pamela Root on Friday to apologize. He says Root also will receive a refund and a $300 travel voucher.

The crew bounced Root and her son Adam off the San Jose-bound flight because passengers could not hear preflight safety announcements.

Root says she was confident Adam's screams of "Go! Plane! Go!" and "I want Daddy!" would subside after the plane took off Monday in Amarillo, Texas.

The 38-year-old mom said she hoped to be compensated for the portable crib and diapers she had to buy for the extra night away from home.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33555007/?GT1=43001

Associated Press 2009

Simple Home Protection against Home Invasion

Good idea, I never thought of this.

A worthy idea to pass on to all of you.

What to take to bed with you - not a joke.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:
It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it.
It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.....
It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around.

After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic.
Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.
Please pass this on even IF you've read it before. It's a reminder.

Thanks Gina for the forwarded idea...

Mommy Bridget