But what if I need to feed my baby formula? Does that make me a bad mother?

Mothers should never feel like they are substandard if they need to or choose to formula feed, for whatever reason. The old saying, “Never judge someone unless you’ve walked a mile in her shoes,” certainly holds true.

Formulas have come a long way, and more closely mimic breast milk than they ever did in past years. Infant formulas offer complete nutrition for your baby, and if you cuddle your baby during every feeding, it can still provide a wonderful bonding experience for you and your baby.

So if baby formula is adequate, why even consider breastfeeding?

Here is a list of reasons why breastfeeding is still recommended over formula:

1. Breast milk contains live antibodies (immunoglobulins)

* This is the main ingredient missing in infant formulas. When the mother is exposed to germs, her body produces antibodies to fight the potential infection-causing organisms. These antibodies are then passed along to her infant in her breast milk, providing protection against potential illnesses and diseases.

2. Breastfeeding is free while formula is very expensive

* Because formula can be very expensive, some parents have been known to give their infants plain cow’s milk or other milk alternatives at a much earlier age than recommended. Although this is adequate for a calf, it does not contain the necessary vitamins and minerals to encourage healthy development and growth in an infant. In addition, this could cause allergic reactions, and a number of other health problems.

* On the other hand, breast milk is made specifically for human babies, and is always free and on tap.

3. Breast milk is “smart”

* Breast milk changes its composition over the course of your baby’s growth and development.

* Colostrum, for example, is the first milk that is produced by your breasts during pregnancy and then for the first few days after your baby’s birth. It is very high in protein as well as antibodies, which give your baby’s immature immune system a “boost” of protection. It also acts as a natural laxative for your baby’s first bowel movements.

* Colostrum is replaced by transitional breast milk approximately three to four days after you give birth, and lasts for a couple of weeks.

* Mature breast milk comes in last. It is composed of one kind of milk that has two different compositions:

a) Foremilk – The baby drinks this watery, thin milk first during a nursing session. It helps hydrate the baby, and contains more lactose and less fat. The lactose is important for energy production in the infant.

b) Hindmilk – The baby gets this higher-fat content milk as the nursing session continues. This is what is important for the baby’s growth.

In summary, breast milk is still the recommended nutrition for babies. A few reasons why you may want to consider breastfeeding over formula feeding have been provided. Although not discussed above, there are many other reasons why breastfeeding is beneficial including breast milk is more digestible, and breastfeeding also protects you against certain cancers. No matter what decision you make – breastfeeding or formula – know that it has to be right for you and your situation. Only you can make that decision.

by

No matter what kind of animal(s) you have, here are some tips to apply to any animal or pet, especially when you are pregnant:

* Follow good hand hygiene practices to reduce the chances of being infected.

* Do not allow your pet to be in contact with any food surfaces, or where you wash or store your dishes.

* Also, avoid kissing your pets or allowing them to “kiss” you on the face.

* Avoid cleaning pet supplies and cages in your kitchen sink. If you use the tub to clean anything, disinfect afterwards.

In what follows, you will learn about the risks posed by specific animals or pets, and what precautions you should take with each of them.

1. Dogs

* Ensure that your dog’s vaccinations are current.

* Make sure that your dog has been dewormed.

* Ensure that your dog does not jump on your abdomen when you are pregnant.

* Do not touch your dog’s feces.

2. Cats

* Toxoplasmosis is the most common infection that can occur. You get it from coming in contact with a parasite in your cat’s feces.

* Cats can contract it after eating infected rodents, hence a good reason to have only indoor cats. They can also contract it before they are born, if the mother cat is exposed to it.

* You can have your cat tested by your veterinarian to determine if he has been exposed to the bacteria.

* Infection with toxoplasmosis can result in miscarriages, and birth defects such as blindness.

* You do not need to get rid of your cat. You can still pet and enjoy your cat. Just make sure that someone else in your household cleans the cat’s litter box.

* If you do have to clean the litter box, make sure that you wear gloves to avoid contact with the feces. Then wash the gloves (or use disposables) and your hands thoroughly afterwards.

* Toxoplasmosis can also be transmitted through soil, so be sure to wear gloves if you are gardening. Also, be sure to wash your hands well after you are done gardening.

* You may want to cover your other children’s outdoor sandbox to ensure outdoor cats cannot use it as a litter box.

3. Birds

* Birds can transmit infections such as salmonella and other germs.

* Ask someone else to clean your bird’s cage.

4. Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Other Rodents

* These pets can become infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), when they are at breeding facilities or at the pet store. The common house mouse carries this same virus.

* It is a threat to pregnant mothers, as it can result in miscarriages and various birth defects.
In order to reduce the risk, it is best to stay away from rodents of any kind � domestic pets or wild. This is because the virus can be transmitted via the feces, urine, saliva, and nesting materials of these animals.

* If you have a pet rodent, be sure that you do not change its cage. In addition, keep it in an entirely separate section of your home where you do not spend time.

5. Amphibians and Reptiles

* These include salamanders, frogs, snakes, lizards, turtles, etc. Unfortunately, these are not safe pets to have during pregnancy or the first five years of your child’s life when your child’s immune system is still developing.

* They carry risk of infection from salmonella, which they carry on their skin and can be passed in their feces.

* In the past, pet constrictor snakes have killed unattended babies and young children.

6. Cattle

* If you own cattle, you likely own a ranch or a hobby farm. Cattle can carry the E.coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria, which is passed through their feces.

* Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly after being in contact with cattle. Also, be sure to wash fruits and vegetables well, as they may have been exposed to contaminated soil. During pregnancy, you may want to avoid drinking well water, if there is any risk that runoff from your farm animals has contaminated your well.

In summary, you must use common sense when handling any animals during your pregnancy. Some animals such as amphibians and reptiles pose more risk. By making wise decisions now, you can ensure that you increase the chances of having a healthy baby.

by

Get your two-pack at outstanding savings starting Monday, 5-6-, 7am!
$80.00 JUST $9.99, NO SHIPPING FEE

2-Pack Green Coffee Bean Extract 800mg with GCA and 50% Chlorogenic Acid All-Natural Weight Loss Supplement – 120 Double Strength Capsules – click here! Remember, sale is not active until 7am PST 5/6/13.

by

What can you really expect from this kind of diagnosis?

==> Dietary Changes

One of the first things you’ll probably have to change in your life is your diet.

You’ll want to start lowering the amount of cholesterol you take in, as well as reduce the amount of chemicals you take in which can cause your liver to produce extra cholesterol.

To make a long story short, you’ll have to start eating healthier. You’ll need to cut back on fatty foods, processed foods and preserved foods, and increase your intake of greens, fruits and whole grains.

==> Medication & Treatments

You’ll likely also need to start taking one or more medications regularly.

These medications can range from very mild with no side effects to extreme kinds of medications for drastic changes to your cholesterol.

Taking medications works a lot faster than dietary changes or lifestyle changes. However, it doesn’t actually affect your overall health and other health complications can come up.

==> Regular Check-Ups

Another change in your lifestyle is regular visits to your doctor.

If you’re at a moderate to high risk level, you’ll need to see your doctor regularly for tests, for prescriptions and for check-ups.

You’ll also want to see your doctor regularly just so you can discuss your options and measure your progress.

==> Exercise and Activity Recommended

Your doctor will probably tell you that you should start exercising if you don’t already.

The American Heart Association recommends working out 30 minutes a day, four days a week. Of course, in the beginning, it might make sense to only work out twice a week for a few minutes at a time to get your body used to exercise again.

If you haven’t worked out for a while, starting to work out again can be quite a change in lifestyle. Though it’ll be tough at first, getting exercise is good for your overall health, in addition to your cholesterol.

==> Can High Cholesterol Actually Be a Good Thing?

Having high cholesterol can be treated as a kind of a wake-up call. It’s not as serious as cancer or other kinds of health conditions and is more or less curable.

The main cure is to live a healthier lifestyle, as well as to take the necessary medications.

In other words, though having high cholesterol can be very dangerous for your health, it can also be treated as a wake-up call to get healthier overall.

Lowering your cholesterol helps prevent all kinds of other health diseases. Researchers have estimated that a 1% reduction in cholesterol results in a 2% to 3% reduction in your likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.

Being diagnosed with high cholesterol definitely means some lifestyle changes. It might mean several months or even a couple years of paying a lot of attention to your health. But in time, even this will fade into the background.

by

Energy in various forms fuels our homes, cars and other machinery. Most of the time we don’t even think about how much we are using until disaster strikes like a blackout or brownout. But, conserving energy can mean less dependence on the grid and also more money in your pocket as your family learns what they can do without.

Kids love to help. Many schools have already introduced them to the idea of conservation and also alternative energy sources. Bring that point home by showing them ways they can put into practice at home, the principles that they have learned in school.

Ways Kids can Conserve Energy

1. Turn off the lights in empty rooms – There is no reason why your home has to be lit up like the fourth of July every day. When you leave a room, turn the lighting off. This includes turning off fans in the bathroom and over the stove. Most bulbs can get very hot and heat up the entire fixture when left on and can cause burns.
2. Let in more natural light – Instead of turning on a light, open a curtain or a window. Allow the natural sunlight to stream in and warm your home as well as provide light for reading and watching television.
3. Don’t touch that thermostat – It is tempting to turn the thermostat up in winter and down in summer. Even the smallest of shifts can hike up your energy bill. Keep the thermostat set at a median temperature like 74 degrees and leave it there. As your body becomes accustomed to it you will find the temperature tolerable. If it is too hot, turn on the ceiling fan to cool the entire room. If it is too cold, use blankets or wear a sweater to stay comfortable.
4. Use less water – When you take a shower, turn the water off while lathering up. This move alone can save thousands of gallons of water a year. And, in the kitchen, get the kids to load the dishwasher instead of washing them in the sink. You waste less water that way and less energy heating it up.
5. Close the door – When kids run in and out of the house, leaving the door open lets out heat or cool. Teach them to make fewer trips in or out and to always close the door behind them.

Kids can be instrumental in keeping your energy bill down. Teach them young and they will continue to practice these techniques throughout their lifetime.

by

Resistance Band Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide to Stretching, Strengthening and Rehabilitative Techniques

Bands were first used in therapy to introduce low-intensity resistance to rehabilitating patients. Today bands come in all shapes and resistances and can be used by people of all ages and fitness levels. Resistance Band Workbook features almost every conceivable exercise ever done with an exercise band. Whether you’re looking to enhance your physique, elevate your sports performance or simply improve functional fitness, this book will add a new dimension to your workout - regardless of your experience level with resistance training.

Exercises are clearly described and illustrated, step by step and something I was pleasantly surprised to see was an area of the book dedicated to resolving certain issues in the body. Wrist issues, for example – something becoming more common with so much computer and txting use these days (I’ve had my share of wrist issues!) – gives the user specific exercises to do to decrease or relieve the pain. There are specific exercises for diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, shoulder pain and more.

These exercises are very doable too. No  expensive equipment purchases needed. I like that! They work and they work based on the resistance you provide. Regardless of your size, age or beginner status, you will quickly see how these exercises can increase flexibility, build strength, and help you recover from injury.  The author - Karl Knopf – states: “Every exercise that can be done on a piece of exercise equipment or with weights can be done with an exercise band. And a total-body resistance band workout should take less than 15 minutes—we can all make time for that.”

Mew users will begin with Level 1, then gradually move onto level 2, then level 3. From there, there are some more advanced routines the resistance band user can progress to – including “advanced” and “super fit”, but also routines that support specific sports and activities, such as baseball, cycling, golf, tennis, walking/jogging, swimming, skiing and more.

This is a great fitness resource I’m glad I own and can reflect back to for general exercise, increased muscle/tone and even relief to keep trouble areas of the body that arise now and then.

Book info:

• Title: Resistance Band Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide to Stretching, Strengthening and Rehabilitative Techniques
• Author: Karl Knopf
• $14.95, Trade Paper
• March 2013 from Ulysses Press
• ISBN: 978-1-61243-171-0

by

This misalignment occurs naturally since it is the brain choosing one sight of vision over the other and eventually the internal parts that makeup the eye weakens and the brain no longer relies upon it. As a person gets older symptoms may be present however, not noticeable and eventually the symptoms become very obvious as the eyes are no longer aligned or looking in the same direction.

A very important thing to do is take care of the misalignment, to assist the brain treat both eyes as a pair increasing the potential for correcting visual problems. For adult lazy eye surgery is considered one of the top options as the alignment of the eye is corrected, thus removing the lazy eye appearance. This is the first steps of corrective measures even though the cosmetic portion can be corrected making the eyes align straighter in only a couple of hours, the vision just isn’t instantly corrected.

This truly creates an opportunity for corrective efforts to become more effective, by improving the brains use both eyes in unison giving each eye equal importance. Strengthening one eye over the other is the original underlying condition in the brain by placing more focus on one eye.

The surgery will make the eye look more normal and increases the possibility of vision treatment, as the alignment will increase the brains reliance upon the eye making both eyes come together. Then once healing from the surgical treatment is complete, there are practical measures one can take for example an eye patch over the good eye to build up vision in the weaker eye. This can be effective over time as the muscles around the eye are developed and assist in maintaining eye alignment.

Keep in mind please refer to a health care professional for recommendations as conditions are unique to individuals with specified conditions.

by

I saw recently that they added a rewards program on their site. Once you make a free account at Ab’es Market, you can “Share & Earn”.  I’m so there! Share and Earn 5 points for every share on email or Twitter. Earn 2 points for each friend who visits from your Facebook share. If your friends end up making a purchase you get an additional 200 points! These points can be redeemed to earn Gift Certificates. Check out Natural Rewards with Abe’s at http://www.abesmarket.com/natural-rewards.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share with you some of the most favorite products of all at Abe’s Market.

Enjoy!!

• South Of The Border Tortilla Soup – Best sellers
• Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie
• Balmers Monkey Balm – Best sellers
• Colorado Campfire Chicken Stew – Best sellers
• Miracle Noodle: Spinach Angel Hair Shirataki Pasta – Best sellers
• Health Warrior Premium Black Chia Seeds – Best sellers

by

There are various ways to clean your skin from the outside and internally. You could use lotions, moisturizers, toners, juices and even just drinking water. HollyBeth Anderson, the founder of USDA-certified luxe skin care brand HollyBeth Organics, knows a thing or two about healthy skin, and offers up five easy ways — and the reasons behind them — to clean your skin for spring … and the rest of the year.

Eat Well
The old adage “you are what you eat” applies not only to our body, but also to our skin. What is lovely about spring and summer is that nature’s skin detoxifiers abound in red and blue, in the form of berries. Try eating what is in local, in season and fresh. Not only will you feel better but you will look better.

Exfoliate
Get rid of winter skin with a gentle exfoliator and stay away from harsh scrubs and chemicals that can damage your skin. Remember your skin sheds cells every minute, think of it as spring cleaning, sweeping away winter. When I was a child my mother would exfoliate with cornmeal which is the reason I created our award winning grits & honey scrub. What customers love about it is that it is not only an exfoliator but a moisturizer as the honey leaves your skin soft and supple. To this day her skin glows and I know it is from her routine of exfoliating and moisturizing.

Cleanse
This is so important. When I lived throughout Europe and Latin America doing international business development, people would always tell me to never use soap to cleanse my face, but to use cold cream or lotions instead. I eventually created, and now swear by, our gentle foaming cleansers that are castile (a.k.a. olive oil) based infused with essential oils. Every country where I have lived, people swear by rinsing with cold water. Notice the people’s skin who you admire, apart from genetics I wonder if you will be amazed at how many use cool/cold water instead of hot water and how that affects their skin’s condition.

Hydrate
When the temperature heats up and perspiration abounds doesn’t mean your skin is getting oily, quite the contrary; it can become dryer and your skin can start to look dull once the sweat evaporates. You always want to drink plenty of water. Also, I mist throughout the day with a non-alcohol based mister/toner.

While we are on the subject of hydration I want to dispel a persistent myth that oils are bad for oily skin. Not true! Case in point: dry oils: Other countries know the secret of dry oils. While living in France, I learned that dry oils are the best moisturizer for both dry and oily skin. In Spain it is the coveted olive oil used on hair and the body. Why? A dry oil is non-comedogenic (read: non-pore clogging). One of my favorites that you will find it almost all of our products is camellia oil – it sinks right into the skin and has been treasured by Japanese geisha for years. Camellia oil also has uv protection properties

Moisturize
The area around our eyes starts showing ages first because the skin there is thinner. And squinting in the sun doesn’t help. It’s best to always use a moisturizing eye cream and apply it with your ring finger from the outside in. Beyond that, summer can cause our skin to become dry. Even if you have oily skin, you still need to replenish the moisture; misters or dry oils work well. Another moisturizing trick is to let your skin breathe by going without make up, just use your moisturizer, sunscreen and don’t forget your hat and sunglasses.

by

What Is BMI?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, which is a number that you calculate from your height and weight. This number takes into consideration the ratio of your weight to your height, to roughly calculate the percentage of body fat that you have. A high BMI suggests that you have a higher percentage of fat in your body. Experts have come up with a method of calculating one’s BMI together with a BMI chart that represents one’s body fat content. However, it’s far easier to use an online calculator such as this one: http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Men and women generally carry different amounts of body fat and therefore cannot refer to the same chart when calculating their BMI. Women naturally tend to have more subcutaneous fat than men do, so they may have a higher BMI than men. To obtain the best results when calculating your BMI, you should refer to a chart designed for your gender.

Calculating Your BMI

Calculating your BMI is quite a simple process. To calculate it by yourself, you first need to measure your height and weight (both in inches and pounds). You then calculate the square of your height (multiply your height with itself). Now divide your weight by your this number, and multiply that value by 703. The number you have now is your BMI. Alternatively, you can also use meters and kilograms to calculate your BMI. The method is exactly the same but you do not need to multiply the number by 703 in the end.

A BMI of below 18.5 suggests that you are underweight; whereas a value of 25 and above suggests that you are overweight. You should try to adjust your weight so your BMI is always within the normal range which is 18.5 to 24.9. If your BMI is above 30, you are then considered obese. If this is the case, then you may need to work at losing weight.

Remember, however, that the BMI measure is just a starting point. If you’re muscly, you may have a higher than average BMI but actually still be healthy. And, those with a good BMI are not always healthy. To get a better measure of body fat, you can use tools such as calipers. However, as an easy to calculate starting point, your BMI is a good place to begin.

by