Staying healthy

For any parent, keeping the whole family healthy is a big issue. Kids, and adults as well- we all have quite a time trying to keep off disease. Of course there are lots of ways and things we can do to stay healthy. In my house, what we do is we try to eat well. I've been trying out a lot of soups from Wai Lana's Favorite Soups. Now that autumn is here, it's great to have all these hearthy soups.

I also make sure everyone does exercise, and take supplements. My kids just love Wailana's goji juice. And I can definitely see why. It tastes great and feels equally good.

Good to celebrate national breast awareness month too! A friend of mine died of breast cancer two years ago. It's still fresh in our minds.

Getting sick

I've been very tired these days. So much to do all the time. I feel like I've got a cold coming on. I'm loading on my Wai Lana supplements and juices.

This is pretty nice to know:

Breast-Feed Infant Son

by Tom Henderson (Subscribe to Tom Henderson's posts) Sep 15th 2009 5:00PM

Just six months ago, Robbie and Susan Goodrich of Marquette, Mich., were expecting their second child.

Now Robbie Goodrich is the single father of two young children as he mourns the death of his wife while some two dozen women visit his house in shifts to breast-feed his infant son.
Nursing Moses

Life turns on a dime, Goodrich realizes, but this crosses the border into surreal. "I've spent the past few months getting used to the fact that this is reality now," he said.

He certainly never expected to become famous. Yet his story has been written up in everything from his hometown newspaper, The Mining Journal, to the June 15 edition of People magazine. Reporters keep calling him for quotes. At least six television producers have approached him about starring in a reality show.

"It would be a really boring show," Goodrich said.

Besides, he said, there's no way he would be put his infant son, 2-year-old daughter, and 11-year-old stepdaughter through that media meat grinder. "It doesn't care who you are," Goodrich said in an interview with ParentDish. "You're just a commodity."

The idea of two dozen women taking turns breast-feeding a widower's baby is apparently a sensation.

But Goodrich said it all began in a blur. He and his wife were professors at Northern Michigan University. He taught history, and she taught modern languages and literature. Susan Goodrich died Jan. 11 from an amniotic fluid embolism after giving birth to their son, Charles Moses Martin Goodrich (called simply Moses).

No words can describe how he felt, Goodrich said. "It was pure blackness."

Both Goodrich and his wife were strong advocates of breast-feeding. Laura Janowski, a family friend who was already nursing her own 4-month-old daughter, asked if he would like her to breast-feed Moses as well. Almost instinctively, Goodrich said, he answered yes.

Marquette is a college town of about 20,000 on the shore of Lake Superior in what Goodrich said is not so much rural as "rugged." The community is close. Everyone knows everyone else -- or least knows someone who knows someone. Plus, as a professor, Goodrich has a high profile.

His story spread quickly. Susan Goodrich's best friend, Nicoletta Fraire, took charge of organizing the team. Now some 25 women drop by the house to either nurse Moses personally or provide pumped breast milk. They've become a community.

"They don't just drop by for five minutes and leave," Goodrich said. "These are loving, nurturing women. They're proud of what they're doing. They're proud of the community, and they're proud of their new micro-community."

Team member Carrie Fiocchi told the Savannah Morning News in Georgia on Aug. 17 she realizes Moses isn't her baby, but the bond is inescapable. "He definitely feels like family."

"I felt like I was doing this for Susan," team member Kyra Fillmore said in the same article. "It's really emotional because, while it's nice to hold a newborn, I think to myself, 'It shouldn't be me.'"

Although the women's love for his son touches him, Goodrich said it is bittersweet for him. "Every moment of joy has sorrow in it." He still grieves the loss of his wife, but tries to put on as brave a face as possible. "The crying goes on in private," he said.

He echoes Fillmore's feelings about the breast-feeding. "It's a reminder of the loss," he said. "They're doing something that Susan would do."

Goodrich said all the publicity makes him and the women in his newfound extended family a little uneasy -- especially him. "They're the ones doing something special."

It's good to know there are still a lot of people caring enough to do this!

Another great piece of news is, all of Wai Lana Yogi bars and Yoga DVDs are on 20% sale

Wanted: Mothers for the Congress

I recently signed the Mom Congress. I encourage all concerned mothers to sign it too! It's a great opportunity to have your voice heard in the congress. This will affect our children. As parents, we are naturally concerned about our children and their well being.

This is one reason I make sure my kids are doing yoga with Wai Lana Little Yogis. I know they will be living their own lives and making their own decisions. I want them to be able to have everything they need to stay healthy, and be healthy. I trust that Wai Lana Yoga can do that for them, as it's done it for me. Of course I don't force the issue on them, and I am thankful that they actually enjoy doing their yoga and always ask to do it even on days I've forgotten to put the tapes on.

Happy living!

Energy Levels

Oh, don't you just hate it when you have written such a long blog entry and it turns out you're not logged in and by the time you log in again, your whole post is gone?

Anyhow, I was talking about energy levels. It's been amazing to me how practicing Wailana Yoga has helped improve my energy levels so much. Being a parent is no joke, and I'm sure all other parents would tell non-parents, can you say- "Tiring?" But rewarding nonetheless.

When I watch Wai Lana singing and dancing at the end of her shows, it just makes me hopeful that I can be half as beautiful and youthful as she is when my kids are adults! I mean, Wai lana has said that she's got kids, and the way she moves, and how slim and beautiful she still is, is just a wonderful testimony for how yoga helps the body so much. I mean, doesn't that make sense?

On a side note, my kids have absolutely been losing themselves laughing at this silly baby goat playing on a horse. I'm sorry I still don't know how to embed movies onto my blog posts. Anyone have any idea?

Anyhow, hugs for everyone

Stretch n Play Eco ball

More equipment to help get your kids into the good habit of doing yoga!

Stretch n Play Eco ball

Coming Soon: Wai Lana's Little Yogis™
Stretch n Play Eco ball

Kids can roll, bounce, and balance on the ball to get fit, strong, and flexible

* Suitable for children aged 3 and up
* Exercising on the ball enhances strength, focus, and balance
* Fun games develop eye-hand coordination
* More than 20 exercises and 4 games on one colorful poster

Kit includes:

* Yellow kid-sized yoga ball made from phthalate-free PVC
* Easy foot pump for quick inflation
* Cute illustrated poster with exercises and games

It'll only be $24!

Every Parent's Nightmare

I read an article written by parents who lost their kids from inhaling/huffing household products. What a nightmare that would be!

Branchburg, NJ (March 14, 2008) – Education and awareness are the most effective ways to battle all forms of substance abuse and protect our nation’s youth, and that can start right in the home with simple communication. Opening a dialogue with children regarding the dangers of inhalant abuse is the key in battling this devastating practice and saving lives.

“Aerosols are too often abused by children and young adults for a quick and dangerous high,” said Phil Lapin, President and CEO of Falcon Safety Products®. “As a leading aerosol manufacturer, Falcon Safety Products takes this issue very seriously, and proactively works to communicate the dangers of this disturbing practice through an ongoing educational campaign. And like the other reputable agencies across the country that exist to help battle inhalant abuse, including the Alliance for Consumer Education and the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, Falcon is an advocate for education and communication. We strongly believe that it is the most effective way to battle inhalant abuse and all forms of substance abuse moving forward.”

According to the 2001 National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse, children who learn about the risks of alcohol and drug abuse from their parents or caregivers are less likely to use drugs than kids who do not. In fact, 50% are less likely to use inhalants. Furthermore, the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that teens who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 54% less likely to try drugs. The power of parental communication regarding substance cannot be overlooked, and as a result, parents, educators, consumers and manufacturers need to join together and face inhalant abuse head on.

“Parents need to take the initiative to become educated on this issue and seek additional resources, but the first step that they should take is reading the labels of all the chemical-based products in their home to become familiar with proper usage and any warnings that manufacturers bring to their attention. As an example, Falcon’s Dust Off® compress-gas dusters are commonly referred to as ‘canned-air,’ an erroneous description that gives consumers, especially children, a false impression of the product. However, if one reads the detailed labeling, they’d find prominent warnings about the dangers of inhalant abuse and the fact that the product contains a compressed-gas called difluoroethane.”

In addition, consumers will find messaging on Dust-Off compressed-gas dusters indicating that the product contains a bitterant to deter inhalant abuse. In an attempt to discourage this dangerous practice, Falcon developed a new formulation for its dusters, incorporating an additive that makes the contents of the can extremely unpalatable to those who attempt to abuse them. The additive was developed to have no adverse effects with normal, recommended use.

Commonly referred to as “huffing,” “bagging,” or “dusting,” inhalant abuse involves over 1,400 different products and is an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal practice. Falcon Safety Products is deeply concerned about the issue and maintains an unwavering commitment to consumer safety. For over 20 years, Falcon has taken numerous, proactive steps in communicating the dangers of inhalant abuse and promoting the proper use of its products.

Falcon’s efforts to combat inhalant abuse have included ongoing public outreach, detailed product labeling and the support of several national agencies, including the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (www.inhalants.org) and the Alliance for Consumer Education (www.inhalant.org). Falcon has always believed that the single, most effective method in battling inhalant abuse is the education of children and their parents, as well as educators and school system administrators.

Founded in 1953, Falcon Safety Products, Inc. is a privately held corporation headquartered in Central New Jersey. A world leader in compressed-gas technology, Falcon manufactures a diverse line of products including the Dust-Off® brand of computer / personal electronics cleaning products and signal horns for the marine, sport and safety markets. For additional information, please contact Falcon Safety Products, Inc. at 908-707-4900 or visit www.falconsafety.com.

from:

EWww! Germs Everywhere!

For most of us, whether we are parents or not, information like this is always alarming- but helpful. I like to use the clorox baby wipes to help keep germs under control.

Doorknobs and TV remotes are germ hotbeds

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione, Ap Medical Writer – Wed Oct 29,

WASHINGTON – Someone in your house have the sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door handle. The TV remote, too. A new study finds that cold sufferers often leave their germs there, where they can live for two days or longer.

Scientists at the University of Virginia, long known for its virology research, tested surfaces in the homes of people with colds and reported the results Tuesday at the nation's premier conference on infectious diseases.

Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study.

Two years ago, she and other doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in.

For the new study, researchers started with 30 adults showing early symptoms of colds. Sixteen tested positive for rhinovirus, which causes about half of all colds. They were asked to name 10 places in their homes they had touched in the preceding 18 hours, and researchers used DNA tests to hunt for rhinovirus.

"We found that commonly touched areas like refrigerator doors and handles were positive about 40 percent of the time" for cold germs, Winther said.

All three of the salt and pepper shakers they tested were contaminated. Other spots found to harbor the germ: 6 out of 18 doorknobs; 8 of 14 refrigerator handles; 3 of 13 light switches; 6 of 10 remote controls; 8 of 10 bathroom faucets; 4 of 7 phones, and 3 of 4 dishwasher handles.

Next, the researchers deliberately contaminated surfaces with participants' mucus and then tested to see whether rhinovirus stuck to their fingers when they turned on lights, answered the phone or did other common tasks. More than half of the participants got the virus on their fingertips 48 hours after the mucus was smeared.

The study was sponsored by Reckitt-Benckiser Inc., makers of Lysol, but no products were tested in the research. The study, designed by doctors with no ties to the company, was an effort to lay the groundwork for future research on germs and ways to get rid of them.

In a separate study, the university's Drs. Diane Pappas and Owen Hendley went germ-hunting on toys in the offices of five pediatricians in Fairfax, Va., three times during last year's cold and flu season.

Tests showed fragments of cold viruses on 20 percent of all toys tested — 20 percent of those in the "sick child" waiting room, 17 percent in the "well child" waiting room, and 30 percent in a sack of toys that kids are allowed to choose from after being good for a shot.

"Mamas know this," Hendley said. "They say, `We go to a doctor for a well-child checkup, the kids play with the toys and two days later they have a cold.'"

There is no proof that the remnants themselves can infect, but their presence suggests a risk, said Dr. Paul Auwaerter, an infectious-diseases specialist at Johns Hopkins University. He was familiar with the study but had no role in it.

Doctors have long advised frequent hand-washing to avoid spreading germs. Wearing surgical masks and using hand sanitizers also can help, a novel University of Michigan study found.

About 1,000 students who live in dorms tested these measures for six weeks during the 2006-07 flu season. They were divided into three groups: those who wore masks, those who wore masks and used hand sanitizer, and those who did neither.

The two groups who used masks reported 10 percent to 50 percent fewer cold symptoms — cough, fever, chills — than the group who used no prevention measures.

Researchers note that the study was not "blinded" — everyone knew who was doing what, and mask wearers may have been less likely to report cold symptoms later because they believed they were taking steps to reduce that possibility.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paid for the study.

The conference was a joint meeting of the American Society for Microbiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

From: Yahoo News

Parenting.com on MSG

Mothers are always wanting to make sure that their children are always in the best of health. MSG is one of those things that are totally scary.

Recipes & Nutrition For Children
On Call: Kids and MSG
By Dr. Claire McCarthy, Parenting

Q. I've heard that children shouldn't eat MSG. But it's in my son's favorite soup. Should I stop serving it?

A. MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a common food additive. The only clearly documented harm is that some people can be sensitive to it and get symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Since it's in your son's favorite soup, that doesn't seem to be the case with him.

Even so, it's always a good idea to cut back on food additives -- and processed foods in general, which often contain tons of salt. You don't have to stop serving things your son loves, but with the soup, how about giving him a healthy side, like carrots or apples? Or serve less soup along with a hearty lunch like a cheese sandwich on whole-grain bread. You might also look for low-sodium soups at the store and alternate those with his fave.