Natural Treatment

Chocolate for Coughs

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I just read the most exciting news about health and healing ever.

There is an article on Dr. Alan Greene’s website about a study that was done using dark chocolate to treat a cough! YES- you read right. In it, researchers discovered that chocolate works better than codeine for relieving a cough.   It only takes about 2 ounces for an adult to reap the benefits, and one ounce for a child.

If you’ve been around my son lately, or ever, you know how much he loves chocolate and how he chants about it and asks for it all the time.  We have been giving him dark chocolate since he’s been on solid food, and he loves the bitter taste and subtle sweetness. We recently found a 91% cacao chocolate bar that he loves!

toddler loves chocolate

He has a cough now, and I’m heading to Whole Foods to buy that chocolate. He’ll be so happy with his “medicine” tonight!

Products, Recommendations

PVC and Phthalate Free Rainboots

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Something that really bothers me is the smell of off-gassing from all things plastic.  And it should- that smell means harmful chemicals are in the air we are breathing.  Nasty, cancer causing, hormone disrupting chemicals.

When I was recently shopping for rainboots for my toddler, the thought didn’t even occur to me that I could find galoshes that were made free of PVC, BPA and phthalates- the three biggest offenders in plastic.

So imagine my surprise when I found some simple, soft, comfortable rain boots for my son with a label that read, “PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) is a hard plastic that requires harsh chemical softeners for use in products like raincoats. In 2003 we discovered that these softeners, called phthalates, were shown to disrupt reproductive functions and cause other developmental problems, so all of our products are PVC-free, including our raincoats, rain ponchos, rain boots, umbrellas and other items. We use no PVC, phthalates, BPA or any other known toxin in any of our products.”

and also: “MADE IN THE USA”

non-toxic rain boots

Yippee!!! He was so happy to be able to splash and jump in every puddle he saw, no matter how big or how tiny.

Aaah the little things in life. Non-toxic rain boots and a happy child singing in the rain.

Products, Recommendations, Travel

Traveling Veggies

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I just returned home from a three week trip, and as we all know, traveling with a toddler can be a challenge.  I’ve posted tips and tricks for traveling before, but this time I realized one of the hardest parts of being on the road is getting fresh vegetables in my toddler’s diet.

Out of our normal routine, it was difficult to find the kinds he likes at restaurants steamed to perfection or not doused in salt and who knows what else.  I also had access to a kitchen, but we were so “on-the-go” that trying to prepare his food while managing him seemed daunting.

He also decided on this trip that he looooooves chocolate milk, and was asking for it non stop.

I found the perfect solution to both problems!  Enter Amazing Grass .

From their website:
Amazing Grass produces premium quality, organic Green SuperFoods for the entire family. Amazing Grass products provide essential fruit and vegetable nutrition the way Mother Nature intended…organic, raw and delicious. Amazing Grass products are gluten free, vegan and rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients. With several great flavor options to choose from, Amazing Grass makes it easier for our customers to reach their daily quota of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables.

I bought him the Kidz Superfood Chocolate Flavor and he LOVED it. I served it to him in the morning (just add water or milk to a scoop of it!) and relaxed the rest of the day if his diet was less than stellar. No kitchen or special utensils necessary- just a cup (with a lid and straw) and water! It also come in convenient travel packets.

I love these kind of breakthroughs!

And this is how we kept him happy on our flight home:

keep your child happy during a flight

It’s all about balance!

Prevention

Healthy Pregnancy

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Since  my first pregnancy was basically 9 months of bliss, I naively thought any subsequent pregnancies would be the same.  Of course I believed that lots of the things I did preventatively such as working out 4 times a week, staying super hydrated with water and coconut water, applying Weleda Pregnancy Body Oil incessantly, going to bed before 10:30PM etc., helped me to avoid any morning sickness, stretch marks, infections, physical pain, and exhaustion, however in the back of my mind I wondered if I would have felt generally the same had I not done any of these things.

I have unintentionally conducted an experiment on myself, and am here to tell you that all of those things are VERY important.  I am currently battling my second cold, had a stomach virus last month, am still exhausted at 24 weeks, can see signs of stretch marks forming, and feel like I’m slowing down and getting bigger by the second.  I know, I know, I have a very active two and half year old to chase after now:

playing at playground

and getting less sleep comes with the job title, but I have faltered on all the other areas I listed above.  I want to shout it from the rooftops, “PREVENTION REALLY DOES WORK!”  I’m living proof.

If you’re pregnant, take it from me, and take the time to do these things for yourself.  I am starting immediately  We will feel better.

Move your body.  Even if that means getting off the subway a stop early or parking at the back of the parking lot for the extra walking.

Drink TONS of water the minute you find out you’re pregnant.  I read somewhere before I was pregnant the first time that the majority of morning sickness and all day nausea is caused from dehydration.  The water helps to flush out all the excess hormones that are making you feel ick!  This time around, I have to choke down plain water- a drink I usually love- so I found a great remedy to get my H2O intake.  They’re called NuuN Tablets and I drop one in my morning water and go from there. They also give me a natural energy boost from the B vitamins which I desparately need!

Start dousing your stomach and breasts and hips in Weleda Pregnancy Body Oil the MOMENT you find out you are pregnant. I slacked on this one, and didn’t start my regimen until about 2 weeks ago, and as I stated above, I see stretch marks! I’m hoping this miracle oil will help them to vanish before they have the time to take up permanent residence.

Keep healthy snacks with you at all times so you’re not tempted by sugar which depresses your immune system. I’m pretty sure my current illness has to do with all the Magnolia cupcakes I consumed over the weekend. My favorites snacks are raw walnuts, dried apricots, Salmon Packets hard boiled eggs, Greens Plus Bars, and anything by Kopali.