This year I made the resolution to slow things down. This week has surely shown me that I need to remember my resolution! There are lots of changes taking place in my life and by handling them slowly, I’m hoping to avoid overload! It seems I’ve taken on too much and have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the past 2 years. But with this zen mentality, things have been rolling by instead of going at a fast pace. I’m finding time to write, to read, to decorate, to discover new things, and to enjoy my family. Here are some things that are going to take place on Mkokopelli this year in result of me slowing down. 🙂
Many of you wanted to know more about the food you feed your families and we wanted a way to empower you with information that you can share with your networks. As a result, the Yo-Getters ambassador group was born!
We wanted to get to know this passionate group of parents and bring them inside our world so that can get to know us better, too. Throughout this first year, we’d like to provide exciting and meaningful opportunities for you to engage with our brands and learn more about the mission that drives us – healthy, organic food that’s better for us and the planet. The more we share with you, the more you can share with your networks- and the more people that get to know their food the better.
Since this is not a paid ambassador group, we also understand the importance of highlighting and promoting your blogs through our networks to increase traffic and readership. We are trying to communicate the same message: We’re all invested in feeding our families in a healthy way, and in order to do so, we need to know what’s in the food we’re eating.”
And last but not least, I am going to continue my relationship with Healthy Child Healthy World and try to be more active in their blogger community. I love their organization and everything that they do.
No, I’m not buying scratch off tickets- but after what I learned today I might have a better chance winning $20,000 than getting E into our choice kindergarten. Sadly, in Charlotte, NC if you want to get your child into a good school you either have to be rich to afford the $10,000-$15,000 yearly tuition or you have to play the lottery. There are very few good home schools (schools you are districted for) in Charlotte. 90% of the best schools are magnet programs that you have to “play” to get in- or of course private.
In our neighborhood, there are 3 elementary schools you can be chosen for. Yes, 3. I’d rather homeschool than send my kiddo to our home school for multiple reasons. And that says a lot. After this year of homeschooling I’ve learned that I’m not the best teacher. I have no patience- especially when I know E already knows something and she’s trying to play dumb. This has resulted in some yelling matches, tears, time outs, and temper tantrums from both parties.
I’ve toured a hand full of schools over the past couple of months and have come to the decision that Montessori is the best schooling method for E. She was diagnosed with SPD as well as PDD-NOS this year and the kicker is that she has a IQ of 125. We are sure it’s higher, but the testing was done before we knew she was on the spectrum. She will not flourish in a traditional classroom and will spend more time in the principal’s office than in class. She is stubborn and she also doesn’t like to admit she knows something until she’s mastered it. This won’t work in the traditional public school system. But with Montessori, she will learn at her own pace without the pressure. She will be hands on and have the freedom to discover what she wants. Everything in my gut tells me this is right.
But to get into a private Montessori school, it is $1,000 in fees, plus the $12,000 tuition or $6,000 if you can get financial aid. Umm, this is Kindergarten- not college! So today I toured the public Montessori school. I found out they only let a handful of 5 yr olds in since they start at 4 yrs old. The 4 yr olds parents pay $3,000 in tuition, so most of the open spots go to them instead of the free riding 5 yr olds. There were at least 50-80 parents attending today’s open house and there is another next week. I feel like I could cry!
So I’m playing the lottery for E’s education. She will go into a pool with the other 50+ kids trying to get a spot and we just have to pray they choose our number in February. This is so stressful and scary! I’ve met a child who is the male version of E and everything I’ve feared about public school has happened to this boy. I hate it!
So please, say a little prayer for us. We have another 2 months before we find out if we were chosen. My stomach is in knots!! E so needs to be in a school, but the right one! Anyone else dealing with lotteries?
After hearing about Zarbees on Healthy Child Healthy World I knew I wanted to try some. I was sent some Zarbee’s All-Natural Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink to review and we love it. My 4 year old very rarely gets sick, but she has bad allergies which lead into sinus infections and nasty coughs. We never tried Tylenol or any other brand and since the recalls that started happening a few years ago, I decided to avoid them all together when E got stuffy. Last year we tried homeopathic remedies and some worked, some didn’t.
We tried honey cough syrups and again, some worked some didn’t. So I was very curious to see if the Zarbee’s would work. The day we got it in the mail E had come down with a sinus infection. So perfect, we got to try it right away. E is one of those kids who doesn’t feel good yet can still run a marathon. So I was extra curious to see if the All-Natural Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink would make her drowsy. And guess what, it did! E was able to sleep through the night without hacking and she was able to go to bed early to get some much needed rest.
The All-Natural Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink is gluten, dye, and preservative free. It is safe and natural and contains no drugs or alcohol. Plus it tastes great- kid and mom tested and approved! You add 1 packet to 2 oz of warm water. We used cold and it still worked. So after trying and getting great results I was curious how it worked and how the concept was created.
I was able to have a Q&A session with Dr. Zak Zarbock, M.D. who is one of the country’s top pediatricians and the Founder and President of the fastest-growing children’s cough and cold brand in the country and thought I’d share!
Q. How did Zarbee’s begin?
A. Most parents feel extremely frustrated when they go to the doctor and don’t come away with a solution to their child’s problem. On the flip side, as a pediatrician, it is also very painful to send away a sleep-deprived mother with an answer of, “I’m sorry you have been up all night, but there is nothing you can do for your child’s cough.” It was during those moments that I realized there had to be a better answer. After extensive research, I came across a study touting the benefits of buckwheat honey and its ability to relieve coughs more effectively than drug-based alternatives. That was the birth of Zarbee’s – the only natural, safe alternative with clinically proven results and recommended by more than 40,000 other pediatricians nationwide. With the help of my test subjects (aka our four sons), I was able to create a great tasting, all-natural, vitamin-enhanced, safe and very effective product, Zarbee’s All Natural Cough Syrup, specifically designed to keep mothers from going insane. We also recently added a new nighttime drink for children 2 years and older, Zarbee’s Cough & Sleep Drink, containing immune-boosting Vitamin C, zinc and elderberry and a small amount of melatonin, which research shows safely and naturally helps kids fall asleep – another big concern for parents.
Q. What causes children to overdose on OTC meds?
A. Parents must be extremely careful when giving more than one OTC cough and cold medicine to a child. Many OTC cough and cold medicines have more than one “active ingredient.” If you use two medicines that have the same or similar “active ingredients” a child could get too much of an ingredient which may hurt your child. For example, do not give a child more than one medicine that has an antihistamine.
Q. Why is Dextromethorphan harmful?
A. If used exactly as recommended, most OTC cough and cold meds will cause little, if any harm. The problem is, they are still ineffective and have potential for harm and/or abuse. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, dosage guidelines for cough and cold mixtures are extrapolated from adult data and clinical experience, and thus are imprecise for children, which can lead to adverse effects and overdosage. Additionally, studies have shown that traditional OTC cough medicines, including Dextromethorphan, in children from two to 18 years of age are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, a glass of water would give you the same results. So the obvious question becomes, if these products are ineffective and potentially harmful, why are we giving them to our children?
Q. How are they able to keep it on the shelves if it can poison a child?
A. Despite the many strong warnings, lack of efficacy, reports of abuse, severe side effects and several deaths, Dextromethorphan (DM) continues to be used by many parents for their young children with coughs and colds. Because this drug is generally viewed as safe and somewhat effective for adults, many continue to extrapolate that it must be the same in children. And until recently, there haven’t been any safe and effective alternatives for the pediatric population, which is why I created Zarbee’s. Additionally, many physicians and pharmacists continue to reluctantly recommend DM products when a persistent parent is clamoring for a solution to their child’s symptoms. For all of these reasons, I think it will take a new generation of parents and a persistent awareness campaign to healthcare professionals to heed current warnings.
Q. How are your products natural, yet effective?
A. Each of the all-natural ingredients in Zarbee’s were specifically chosen for their clinically tested ability to serve a particular purpose. For example, recent clinical trials have shown that buckwheat honey is more effective than traditional over-the-counter medicines at reducing coughs associated with the common cold (it’s high in antioxidants, helps coat the throat and reduces irritation). Other carefully chosen ingredients include immune-boosting Vitamin C, Zinc and elderberry (which studies have shown can dramatically decrease the length of an illness caused by the influenza virus) and a small amount of melatonin in the Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink, which research shows safely and naturally helps kids and adults fall and stay asleep.
Q. What are some other hidden dangers in OTC cough syrups?
A. Not reading or understanding labels continues to be the number one mistake parents make when administering OTC medicines to children. Combination products also pose a problem because a parent may be unknowingly doubling up on certain ingredients which may lead to an overdose. Extreme care should be taken to read and understand all of the active ingredients in any OTC product. Parents should always consult their child’s healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.
Q. Do most OTCs contain preservatives such as harmful parabens?
A. Most drug-based OTC cough and cold medicines (Delsym, Triaminic, Little Remedies) contain chemical preservatives. Many of those preservatives are in fact parabens, which may carry health risks and have already been banned in other countries for young children.
Q. Why are dyes harmful?
A. Food dyes, which are found in most OTC products, have been linked to hyperactivity in children, cancer (in animal studies) and allergic reactions. In general, it is better to avoid products with added dyes if an equal alternative, such as Zarbee’s, if available.
Q. Could these preservatives, dyes, alcohols, and artificial flavors cause other health problems or aggravate the cold/cough?
A. Most of these added items would not aggravate cough and cold symptoms. However, they do carry potential for other side effects that may be even more worrisome or harmful.
Q. What is the difference between your cough syrup and regular honey?
A. Zarbee’s uses a blend of dark honeys, including buckwheat honey, which has been clinically proven to reduce coughs. Dark honeys are much higher in antioxidants than the typical honey you’d find at a grocery store. Zarbee’s is also fortified with Vitamin C and Zinc to help speed up recovery and support the immune system. Because buckwheat honey has a strong flavor, often not appreciated by young children, Zarbee’s also contains natural flavors to make it taste much better.
Q. Is the cough syrup supposed to be used during the day and the cough & sleep drink at night?
A. Zarbee’s All Natural Cough Syrup can be used anytime, day or night. In fact, in the clinical trial with buckwheat honey, children not only coughed less, but they also slept better, and so did their parents. Zarbee’s Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink is designed to be used specifically at night. It is a warm drink that not only contains our antioxidant-rich honey but also melatonin. Melatonin is a natural substance that has been studied extensively in both children and adults, and found to be very effective at helping people fall and stay asleep.
Q. Often a fever accompanies coughs, what do you suggest to reduce the fever naturally?
A. Recently, more attention has been brought to the fact that a fever is not harmful, and using natural means to make children more comfortable may be a safer way to help our children feel better. This could be dressing in lighter clothing, reducing the amount of bedding and keeping a child’s room at a cooler temperature. It may also help to apply a cool cloth to the forehead or a soak shortly in a lukewarm bath. Adequate rest and an emphasis on hydration are also keys to bringing a fever down naturally.
Q. Over the past couple of years there have been many children OTC recalls due to higher concentration levels of active ingredients, is this something to worry about with all-natural products?
A. Despite all the negative attention, drug-based OTC products may not be the only products that can cause problems due to regulation of active ingredients. As a pediatrician and a father, I recommend reading every label to understand what you are giving your children. Even if the product is natural, if there is something on the label you don’t understand, it may not be something you want to give your child.
Thank you Dr. Zak Zarbock for your amazing answers! Here is a little bit more about Zarbee’s:“About Zarbee’sThe fastest-growing children’s cough and cold brand in the country, Zarbee’s is proven safe and effective for children 12 months of age and older. Developed by Dr. Zak Zarbock, one of the country’s top pediatricians, Zarbee’s products—a children’s cough syrup with a special blend of honeys fortified with immune-boosting vitamins that is also safe for women who are pregnant or nursing and a nighttime drink that soothes coughs and promotes healthy sleep—are recommended by more than 40,000 pediatricians nationwide. Zarbee’s products are all natural and gluten free, contain no drugs, alcohol and dyes, have no side effects and carry no risk of overdose. Zarbee’s All-Natural Children’s Cough Syrup and Zarbee’s Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink each retail for a suggested $8.99 and may be purchased at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart, Kroger, Winn Dixie, Albertsons and Meijer stores nationwide as well as on www.zarbees.com. For more information, visit www.zarbees.com .”
Giveaway: Win a bottle of Zarbee’s Cough Syrup! (click read more if the rafflecopter widget doesn’t show up)
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Before I had E I lived for music. I went to live shows ALL of the time. I bought at least 3 new albums a month. I loved unwinding (or cleaning) listening to new jams on my computer or on my stereo. I love to relate music to my life in some way to give it a new outlook. My all time favorite band is Tool. I’ve been a huge fan for the past 17 years. (that made me feel really old!) So when I read about the new band O’Brother and how Alternative Press compared the vocals to Tool, I knew I had to check them out.
Here is one of the more calmer songs, “Lay Down,” for those of you who aren’t big rock fans 🙂 There are a few more video’s on You Tube or you can check out AOL to hear the full album. But Garden Window hit stores today, so you can purchase on iTunes if you like them! I let several friends hear them at my house and they were majorly impressed!
When asked about their influences, O’Brother responded, “We all consciously or subconsciously think, speak, and act based on what influences us. We look for inspiration to get us through tough times while realizing our past experiences have a stronghold on how we now see the world. If you had the opportunity to sit down and reflect on what you believe and who you have become, your main influences will emerge. Imagine trying to capture this experience. You transcribe it for either your own pleasure or catharsis. Finally, you etch your name into this work that significantly represents a time in your life and release it.” This is seriously felt throughout the album. You can hear their influences, yet with their own unique take on things.
When I listed to the Garden Window it reminded me of Tool, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and Deftones. O’Brother’s style has a techno, punk, rock, metal vibe that’s high frequency, hypnotic and makes you want to move. Each song has a different style which I love! I can only image what an amazing performance they put on live. You can check out their Facebook page for their tour details. I wish they were coming to NC!
If you are interested in something a little funky, different yet familiar, be sure to check out O’Brother’s new album Garden Window. The 11 track album will leave you wanting more! If you like it, come back and tell me! I love sharing new tunes 🙂
Have you heard about the fabulous eco-care package website Citrus Lane? This is the perfect baby shower gift for the eco-conscious parent! I wish they would have had this when E was a baby. What a wonderful idea to sample brands and find what you love.
Citrus Lane is a gift package website that you can buy a 3, 6, 12 month subscription to or a deluxe baby shower box. Every month a box is delivered for your newborn to age 3 yr old or for moms-to-be. This is seriously a gift that keeps giving! Every month the boxes change, so you will never receive the same items. Each box is $25 and during the month of January, a portion of the proceeds go to Healthy Child Healthy World.
I got a sneak peek at the January box (which will soon be on the way!) and you won’t want to miss out. (The last day to subscribe to get the box is January 14)
The limited-edition Healthy Child Healthy World box, curated by their Executive Director, Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, features non-toxic products from brands like HAPPYBABY, Green Toys, BabyGanics and Dolphin Organics to help educate families on safer and healthier alternatives for the home and your baby’s nutrition. I can’t wait to see the box to try out some of the goodies- thanks Healthy Child & Citrus Lane!
Past Citrus Lane boxes have includes items from PlanToys, Clean Well, aden + anais, cloud b, eco-kids, iPlay, miYim, Plum Organics and more!
Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive the limited-edition Healthy Child Healthy World box!!
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When Healthy Child Healthy World asked me to nominate a Mom on a Mission I had no clue who to pick. There are so many amazing moms accomplishing big missions that I truly admire. So many of the companies I’ve worked with are mompreneurs who are making fabulous safe products for our families. Not to mention the countless mom eco-bloggers who keep everyone informed with chemical updates and calling out green washers.
So I had to step back and look at what Healthy Child Healthy World is searching for. “Celebrating special and inspiring American parents who are dedicated to creating healthier and happier environments for children and families, our 4th Annual Mom on a Mission campaign is designed to shed light on those who put our words into action.” (They are now accepting nominations and will be choosing 8 finalist from January-August to feature each month that will enter the running to be the 2012 Mom on a Mission.)
So I thought about who has inspired me the most with words AND actions, and that was easy- Alicia Voorhies of The Soft Landing.
2 years ago Alicia opened my eyes to Avoiding Toxic Plastics with her amazing Ebook. I had worked with Alicia on my blog before, but this guide truly stuck out for me over everything else I had read. You shouldn’t have to be a scientist to understand what is in your child’s products and Alicia made it easy for everyone to interpret what chemicals are what.
Not only does Alicia educate her readers with her Safe Living Guide and newsletters, she has working relationships with tons of manufacturing companies helping to educate them on what is toxic and asking them to change ingredients when she finds chemicals of concern. Alicia spends hours researching chemicals and their safety while providing her fans with easy to read articles that are beneficial to our children’s health.
Alicia (with her family by her side) created The Soft Landing to help busy parents navigate unlabeled baby products. Since she closed her internet store last month, she has focused on a new venture- The Seal of Approval system. Companies can submit products to be reviewed for harmful chemicals by their team of experts. They are accepting submissions for baby, breastfeeding, clothing, dishes, eating gear, food storage, health, home, skincare, and toys. You can search the guide by product, manufacturer, or material which makes toxin-free shopping extremely easy for everyone!
Alicia is also working with a local birth center called the New Birth Company. It’s the first truly eco-conscious birth center of its kind. She has also partnered with Melissa Moog of Itsabelly to launch the first green baby and pregnancy resource in Kansas City. The Soft Landing and Itsabelly team is functioning as the New Birth Company’s non-toxic product sourcing experts and healthy living class instructors. They will be organizing eco baby fairs for pregnant moms in their community and connecting them to natural health practitioners. It’s an amazing opportunity to lead by example and help new parents take positive steps toward to creating a healthy environment for their babies from the beginning!
Alicia and The Soft Landing have been featured on ABC News, Newsweek, the New York Times, the Kansas City Star and health-conscious websites such as Dr. Greene, National Geographic’s The Green Guide, Environmental Working Group (EWG), and the Center for Health Environment and Justice (CHEJ). Alicia is currently serving as a Healthy Child Healthy World Parent Ambassador and volunteers for the Natural Parents Network. Alicia also can be found writing for various organizations and blogs, actively on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
Alicia is a retired RN with a specialty in developmental disabilities, autism spectrum, seizure and behavioral disorders. She homeschools her 3 children, all while helping change the world. 🙂
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