Move Over Ranch, The Goddess Is In The House

There was a time when I could get my kids to eat most anything if they had some ranch to dip it into. Well, ranch has been replaced by Trader Joe's Goddess Dressing. Seriously, we are easily moving through one of these bottles a week.

All my kids love it. Even Mr. I-Don't-Eat-Green-Vegetables can't resist the goddess. Oh, and for my sister's birthday (the one who is some times vegan) she's getting showered in goddess goodness. It's the simple pleasures, folks.

P.S. If you don't have a Trader Joe's near you but can get your hands on Annie's, it's the same thing (but Annie's costs more). Read about it here.

25 Hugs A Day?!

A friend just told me about some recent research that claims you need 25 hugs a day to be emotionally healthy. If this is accurate, I have to tell you I am seriously cutting some people short around here. I'm not putting it 25 hugs for anyone, let alone multiplying that times the four other people in this wacky family.

But, one of us just might be getting her fill....

Day one and two and ... of homeschooling concludes when we head back to school to get brother. Anna bolts to her [old] classroom and doles out hugs to anyone and everyone. Doing the math, she covers her 25 between the car and the classroom. The rest of the hugging is just bonus.

Certainly she's got to be emotionally ecstatic!

P.S. Is this common practice? How many hugs are you getting/giving a day?!

Gluten-Free For You?

I love Dr. Oz. I like his informed combination of Western and alternative advice. His daughter, Daphne, just wrote a good piece breaking down the gluten-free diet. We adopted many of these changes a couple of years ago and are a gluten-light family. Check it out here.

Photo from Oprah.com.

Sigg Exchange Program

In case you haven't heard, Sigg is exchanging their reusable water bottles purchased before August 2008. Evidently they weren't PBA free after all. Mariah at Playful Learning has a good piece on the Sigg issues. If you are interested in the exchange, don't delay. You only have until October 31, 2009 to get an updated bottle.

Safe Sunscreen

Do you ever find that basic things can be a little complicated? I mean simple sunscreen application is a source for analysis and missteps. Aren't we doing the right thing by lathering up and blocking those harmful rays?

Evidently not always (see here or here for starters). Our skin is our largest organ and what we put on it matters. Most of the sunscreens available are filled with parabens--known endocrine inhibitors. So what are we to really do? Honestly, I just want a product I can trust won't be making things worse for me or my lovies down the road. Bonus if it also cuts down on the biopsies and removals from my dermo.


I love kinesys sunscreen spray for our bodies. It's safe and feels fantastic on. It's the only sunscreen that I know of that feels so good on, is easy to apply and effective! I warn you, guard your attachment because it isn't your cheapest option.

Our dermatologist gave us Elta MD UV Physical SPF 41 for the kids' face. Its tinted so Anna is sure to put it on everyday (like make-up). The boys don't notice.

For my face, I use La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid (also recommended by my dermo after a scare with my nose and a few more biopsies on spots to watch--oh joy!). A little of this fluid goes along way. It's so smooth you don't even feel like you are wearing anything and the protection is fantastic.

We wear these every single day. We figure if we are lubed up every day mutliple times a day, we need to be paraben-free or inside (yeah, right).

It's Time To Go THERE: My Summer Reading

My summer reading list has a definite influence; my father. He is an agricultural engineer by trade, specializing in water quality. Data and research are not only part if his daily 'job' but also how he processes information outside of work. So, when he sends me an article (like this from dear Bittman) or recommends something I know it's pretty well-researched and supported by a lot of data.

Due to a serious of health issues with another family member he has had rolled up his sleeves and really evaluated our food quality, diet and what we consume. This has led to the inevitable conclusion; we mostly have extremely poor diets with toxins in our food that will increasingly manifest in our bodies in new and different (initially unexplainable) ways.

While I know this to be true I am a mother of three trying to feed my family well each day. I am on the track to healthy eating but know there is still so much I don't know and have avoided knowing. It can be overwhelming to navigate healthy eating and getting food on the table by 5:30 each night (not to mention all the snacks and meals in between). My nearest Whole Foods is 30 miles away and I am not always able to buy sustainable, organic food. In truth, I try but I also have been avoiding taking the next step.

This summer I vow to go there. I have a slew of reading lined up and plan to tackle the tough subject. Here's what I have on my nightstand:

In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan

The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan

Food Matters, Mark Bittman

The China Study, T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II

This is heavy for me. Once I know something is bad it's hard to keep doing it. So, I anticipate I will not be able to hide behind my ignorance is bliss cloak. But it is time. Bittman's book is what I most look forward to since it includes 75 recipes. I definitely need a next step to all this info.

Oh Sweet Babycakes!

BabyCakes, the Book of Recipes: It's Here (Almost)! from BabyCakes NYC on Vimeo.

First, watch the video. Next, let's discuss.

I am not a baker. But BabyCakes may convert me. This is the bakery cookbook I have been waiting for. I will try to become a bit of a measurer if it means I can give my family healthy, tasty treats--guilt free. (Not to mention the kids love baking.)

If you've been around Pittsy's Place for long you know I hate high fructose corn syrup like it's the devil. Further complicating matters, I have two kids who don't do dairy, one that has taken us all to gluten-lite diet and a highly influential father who is vegan. Put all this together and it adds new meaning to guilt-free pleasures (of the culinary design). I swear, the more you know, the harder it gets.

I have all but ruled out treats in our home because I can't find healthful alternatives that don't taste like...alternatives. When it's not good it just reminds you what you are trying to replace thus making you long for the 'real' treat that much more. Completely counter productive. Agreed?

Anyway, I am so excited to maybe change some of that and indulge a bit. I've known of Babycakes for some time and have been dying to give some of these goodies a try. With reads like this, I can see we are going to be together for some time. Good thing they are opening a location out west soon.

How fun is the video, by the way?!

R-E-L-I-E-F: Neti Pot

This is not my average post but I feel compelled to share the relief. I've recently suffered from my first sinus infection. I consider myself lucky to have gone this long without ever knowing about true sinus pressure but did not at all enjoy this rite of passage. My sinuses throbbed and my head pounded--and Mamas don't get sick days.

I'm not a big medicine person. Mostly because if there is a side effect listed I usually feel it and most times that is worse than the culprit I was trying to get relief from. So, I just ride it out and get through it. Fortunately I'm not sick very often so this hasn't been a big problem for me.

But, with this sinus pressure, I mean throbbing, I had to try something. Enter the ancient remedy; the neti pot. I have to admit irrigating my nasal passage actually scared me a little. I don't put things in my nasal area. No nasonex or zycam or any of that nonsense for me, thank you very much. But the neti pot is different. Because the saline (salt water) is warm it actually feels good (gasp). It just flows through.

There is a reason it has been practiced for centuries (usually combined with yoga). Some times popping a pill is not the answer. I can say that this will be my go-to method for dealing with allergies, Santa Ana winds, and sinus issues. If you need relief, give this a try. You can get a good set up for under $20.

Olive Oil, Not Just For Cooking

Unless you are from the Old Country you are probably spending a ton of mula on face creams, I was. In an effort to trim the bottom line and try something more affordable I decided to move beyond the fantastic but not-at-all affordable Kinerase. With a consult from the helpers at Sephora I came home with the cheap substitute, Doctor's Dermatologic Formula (Moisturizing Photo-Age Protection SPF 30).

It was certainly a good buy at $29.95 and seemed to have all that I wanted--SPF, moisturizing, etc.-- but after a few weeks of use, not so much. Navigating make-up and moisturizers is one of my least favorite things to do. It's up there with bathing suit and jean shopping. Maybe I am just easily overwhelmed but I don't have the patience to try a variety of products. I just want to be told. "You, lady, use this." And, voila, it will be the answer to all my dreams--at least my moisturizing dilemmas.

So, after some time with the failed DDF cream, I lost all confidence in any counter and headed to the drug store. I talked to my girls and scrolled a few blogs looking for some recommendations and settled on Oil of Olay. It's been around forever, the women in the commercials always have beautiful skin and even Ellen endorses it. That is surely a safe buy, right? Wrong. After less than a week I completely broke out. I have dry skin that is prone to wrinkles but rarely do I break out. Clearly, not a fit for me.

So, finally I went with my gut, got back to basics and am now using good old fashion EVOO! That's right, Paul Newman's Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil to be exact. I have held my tongue and resisted sharing with you for fear of a bad endorsement. So far, a month in and I am perfectly supple. I only use apply at nighttime. It's not greasy or heavy like you might think but perfectly moisturizing. By morning I am fully absorbed.

I figure the women in Italy have been using it forever. Evidently I am reducing my signs of aging inside and out with this antioxidant-rich kitchen staple.

Image from here.

Breathe

I love, love, love my yoga practice on Saturday mornings. A couple of weeks ago I was delighted we were rained out of our softball and baseball commitments so I could attend my weekly session (I wish I could go more but I'll take what I can get).

It's always a little hard to leave a leisurely family morning to go exercise but the reward comes in dividends. Stretching + Breathing = Feeling Good and Connected

The practice always seems to be exactly what I need at that precise moment, including the musical selection. With the market closing so low and the immediate forecast grim, I am recalling my recent practice and want to send you some positive vibes. Let's hold on, pray and stay grounded. Most of all, let's not forget to just BREATHE. We will get through all this. (Nichole, this is especially for you.)

A Sassier Shade of Green

I'm digging the daily dose of goodness from Ideal Bite. It 's a great stop with s snippet of information on ways you can live better each day. Unfortunately I can't always read an in depth article reviewing the latest research on the FDA and whether or not my make up makes the grade.

This great resource will add a little more to my knowledge pot and a lot more food for thought.

Cracking Up

I have just discovered these flavorful crackers and must share. My little guy gives me a run for my money at times with his gluten-free diet. I haul myself to Whole Foods, which is a good 20 miles away, and stock up on good snack food that he can enjoy too (Most traditional snack food is full of all the stuff he doesn't process well.). The selection varies from time to time and just as we fall in love with something, it is replaced with another interesting option.

I have basically converted the whole family to a mostly gluten-free diet. It saves my sanity and doesn't make little PJ suffer from food envy. We are all better off and we have adjusted easily without missing much.

In one of my recent trips I discovered Mary's Gone Crackers. After devouring our 'trial' box I realized these were a big hit for everyone. These wonderful little pieces of goodness are made with organic brown rice, organic quinoa, organic flax seeds and organic sesame seeds. They have a good crunch and are hearty for dipping or even stacking. They are flavorful but not overpowering. They can be served with a sweet dipper or a more savory number. And they have some substance to them so you don't feel like you just ate a bunch of puffed air.

The are our new universal crackers. No more water crackers here.

Living Without

I have just learned of this great resource--Living Without magazine. I am so excited! (Thanks Paula!) I've mentioned some of our dietary challenges--some mandated for specific reasons and some electively because we want to live healthy lives with vitality. I am excited to learn about options and have resources. Deprivation is not for me. I am subscribing today.

Calcium

We are pretty much a dairy-free house with an occasional indulgence in cheese. We have switched from traditional cow's milk at every meal with cheese sticks and yogurt as snacks to realizing that we don't really need dairy. We physically do much better without it. Our three kids have each had trouble with dairy manifesting different ways. We didn't finger organic, hormone free dairy as the culprit at first but after taking it out of our diets, Anna's asthma is pretty much gone, Christopher's hearing is back and Parker and my stomach distress has lightened (that's a different story!).

What we can't go without though is the calcium. I am not a doctor or nutritionist, just a mom who is trying to keep my kids as healthy as possible and free from as many chemicals as I can manage. There is a great deal of literature and debate over dairy versus soy and just plain dairy-free (which is what we strive for--with two boys and a husband, the hormone-rich soy is not an alternative we entertain).


Some informative reads are....
Not Milk
Cow’s Milk – Does It Really Do A Body Good?
Skinny Bitch
Dr Oz


Since we realistically only eat about 250 milligrams of calcium daily with fortified foods and the recommended daily dose is 1,200 milligrams of calcium and somewhere between 600 and 800 milligrams of magnesium we have turned to supplements. For calcium magnesium, I recommend Lifetyme or BlueBonnet's Calcium Magnesium Citrate Flavor Liquid. While Christopher can take a regular calcium/magnesium supplement(you need to take the combination so the calcium alone doesn't block your system and allows for maximum absorption), Anna and Parker still prefer the liquid form. Their favorite is the blueberry flavor and it goes down like a treat right before bed (nighttime is the best time to dispense since it coats, soothes and relaxes the muscles).

In addition to just giving your family the proper dosage of calcium to build strong bones, it calms nerves, improves sleep, regulates your heartbeat and is a natural pain killer. So whether you drink goat's milk, cow's milk, soy milk, rice milk or almond milk or....you may consider offering some extra calcium tonight.


If you live in South Orange County, we get ours at Farm to Market (32382 Del Obispo St San Juan Capistrano).

You can also get it online at places like:
House of Nutrition
iHerb
or my favorite...Amazon