Real Baby Food
Guest Column by Laura Moll Coble which originally appeared at her family blog: thecoblecolumn.wordpress.com. Reprinted by permission.
The time is rapidly approaching when Job can partake in his first meal of solid foods. So I began looking up information on the subject, knowing from other moms that it can be a somewhat tricky field to navigate. Also, I despise most contemporary nutrition advise as I find it is often filled with errors, so I wanted to research this topic on my own.
I read the book Real Food for Mother and Baby by Nina Planck and I stopped with this book because everything in it-or mostly everything-made so much sense that I did not feel the need to look further. I share this information with you now in hopes that it will be of value and that it will open up a whole new interesting world of when and what to feed baby. Of course, I am not an expert on this subject, I am simply sharing what I have learned. Proceed at your own risk;-)
Job is not yet sitting up on his own, but I figured that he could at least start exploring foods. I peeled and washed a whole carrot and let him taste and gum it. He looks bored in this picture, but he had lots of fun exploring his new chew toy!
This book is filled with inspiring information, and I must resist the urge to simply recite the whole book. I have tried to highlight the things I found most helpful. But I highly recommend checking the book out for yourself. You will find yourself refreshed by Nina’s wholesome and commonsense advice.
Nina Planck begins with the assertion that the best time to start feeding solid foods is when baby is sitting up by himself. This indicates a strong control of the trunk portion of their body, presumably so that the baby will be more prone to swallowing rather than spitting out food. Certainly you can start baby before he is sitting up on his own, but this gives an idea of when to begin. Job is not yet sitting on his own, I think because his head is still about 2/3 of his body!
Nina is an advocate for a food movement called “real foods.” This movement centers around eating the traditional foods of our fore fathers, basic foods like eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats like lard, butter, and olive oil, and meat. FYI, when she refers to eggs, milk, and cheese she is referring to raw milk, free range eggs, and raw cheese, and grass-fed beef and free range chicken. However, if these are not readily available, the products on the shelves at Wal-Mart will mostly do (minus a few exceptions such as fake cheese and yogurts laden with sugar). The foods in their natural state however, like raw milk, is the most beneficial, filled with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and beneficial fat. For more information on this subject refer to Nina’s book, westonaprice.org, or possibly even a future blog posting if I can be so amazingly organized (crossing fingers!).
Gumming a banana! Yum!
So what foods are best to begin with? According to Nina, begin with any and every fruit and vegetable you like. She has found very little evidence to support that you should feed certain foods (like citrus and eggs) at certain ages. Especially if a baby has been breast fed for the first 6 months, their propensity towards allergies is greatly diminished. That aside, armed with real foods and common-motherly-sense, Nina recommends what she deems the “scientific feeding method.”
This method involves: 1) placing baby in highchair, 2) setting out foods in front of baby such as sliced avocado, pieces of banana, cooked sweet potatoes, or cooked egg yolk, 3) allow baby to explore the foods on his own-according to Niles Newton author of The Family Book of Child Care, babies are capable of feeding themselves at 5 months, 4) repeat once or twice daily and gradually baby will learn to place food in mouth, gum it around, and even swallow!
I have yet to decide if I’m brave enough to place in front of my baby chopped, rather than pureed, food, but according to Nina, it works-of course be sure to always supervise baby (hence the motherly commonsense). This saves the time and effort of pureeing and freezing foods, purchasing baby food, as well as trying to force food down a baby only interested in spitting it out. If baby is hungry, he will eat! And of course the greatest hope is that you can enjoy your own hot meal while baby eats along with you. Depending on your diet, you can also share your hot meal with baby being careful to stir clear of anything refined, such as refined flours and sugars.
Oh la la! An apple!
Here is a list of foods that Nina finds perfectly acceptable for a baby of 6 months: ground beef and lamb, chicken (cut into long thin pieces), fish, bone jelly (soup stock made from chicken/beef/lamb/turkey bones), eggs, applesauce, bananas, oranges, pineapple, peaches, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, peas, steamed beets, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado, fresh coconut, coconut milk, and dairy products (however, dairy products should be things like raw milk and raw cheese). Grains, including rice, should still be kept until the baby is about a year old because the gluten in these products can still be difficult for a baby to digest.
Mix into babies food things like olive oil, butter, and coconut oil. These are healthy fats and aid in baby’s (and ours, we should also consume these nutritious foods) digestion, building cell walls, immunity, helping bones create calcium, fight inflammation, and much more. Also, don’t be afraid to season with salt so long as it is unrefined sea salt. This salt is very nutritious for the body, refined, iodized salt, however, is devoid of nutrients and unusable to the body.
So there you have it! This is condensed information on how to feed your baby, but you have all the steps and the highlighted details from my book. But again, I highly recommend this book for more specific information on foods. This book also discusses real foods for fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
I look forward to using the “scientific feeding method” on Job and seeing for myself how well he can learn to feed himself. I also feel much better equipped for growing a healthy baby and hope that you do too.
For the record, Laura has nursed Job 100% since birth and pumped when he was in the NANIC (Neo-natal intensive care). That is a HUGE accomplishment.
Thanks for allowing me to share pictures of my grandson Job, almost six months old. Marilyn Moll, The Urban Homemaker
lunes, 14 de febrero de 2011
domingo, 13 de febrero de 2011
Monday Morning Mix
Happy Valentine's Day to you All. I wanted to remind you that today is the last day of the Wondermill and Wondermill Junior old pricing. I also wanted you to have this fantastic and simple Chocolate Peppermint Custard for your Valentine's and an opportunity to learn something from Penny Pinchin Momma. (details follow)
Last Day for Old WonderMill Prices - $239.95 today, $259.95 tomorrow - February 15, 2011
Last day for Old Wondermill Junior price - $199.95 through February 14, 2011 - $219.95 starting February 15, 2011 -Includes free shipping, new auger, clamp, stainless steel burrs - the complete package!
This recipe is courtesy of Cooking Traditional Foods, the longest running menu mailer based on the work of Weston A Price.
This pudding recipe comes out thick and rich. It's great as a cake filling or in a custard cup. You can change out the extract for different flavors. When my kids want pudding, this is the recipe I use.
4 egg yolks
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
½ cup chocolate chips
1 tsp peppermint extract
In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and chocolate over medium heat until the chocolate is completely dissolved. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and cool briefly.
Whisk ¼ cup of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Whisk in the remaining milk in a slow stream. Return to the saucepan and heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Do not boil.
Remove from the heat and cool, whisking regularly to avoid a skin forming on top and keep the fat incorporated, until only slightly warm. Stir in the peppermint extract. Chill thoroughly in the fridge before serving, or use as a cream filling for cakes, cupcakes or the like.
If your family likes sweeter desserts, you can stir in plain or chocolate flavored stevia with the peppermint extract. Unsweetened chocolate and a little rapadura or your favorite chocolate bar can be substituted for the chocolate chips. Orange, vanilla or another extract that would match chocolate can be used in place of the peppermint.
Kerry Ann Foster is the owner of Cooking Traditional Foods Menu Mailer
Penny Pinchin' Mama e-book, Jill Cooper, who raised two teenagers alone while making only $500 per month, shares practical hints and strategies she used to make the most out of every dollar. The regular price is $12.95 and this week only it is 50% off or $6.48.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
Last Day for Old WonderMill Prices - $239.95 today, $259.95 tomorrow - February 15, 2011
Last day for Old Wondermill Junior price - $199.95 through February 14, 2011 - $219.95 starting February 15, 2011 -Includes free shipping, new auger, clamp, stainless steel burrs - the complete package!
This recipe is courtesy of Cooking Traditional Foods, the longest running menu mailer based on the work of Weston A Price.
This pudding recipe comes out thick and rich. It's great as a cake filling or in a custard cup. You can change out the extract for different flavors. When my kids want pudding, this is the recipe I use.
4 egg yolks
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
½ cup chocolate chips
1 tsp peppermint extract
In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and chocolate over medium heat until the chocolate is completely dissolved. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and cool briefly.
Whisk ¼ cup of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Whisk in the remaining milk in a slow stream. Return to the saucepan and heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Do not boil.
Remove from the heat and cool, whisking regularly to avoid a skin forming on top and keep the fat incorporated, until only slightly warm. Stir in the peppermint extract. Chill thoroughly in the fridge before serving, or use as a cream filling for cakes, cupcakes or the like.
If your family likes sweeter desserts, you can stir in plain or chocolate flavored stevia with the peppermint extract. Unsweetened chocolate and a little rapadura or your favorite chocolate bar can be substituted for the chocolate chips. Orange, vanilla or another extract that would match chocolate can be used in place of the peppermint.
Kerry Ann Foster is the owner of Cooking Traditional Foods Menu Mailer
Penny Pinchin' Mama e-book, Jill Cooper, who raised two teenagers alone while making only $500 per month, shares practical hints and strategies she used to make the most out of every dollar. The regular price is $12.95 and this week only it is 50% off or $6.48.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
viernes, 11 de febrero de 2011
Get Cultured - How to Ferment Anything
Get Cultured! How to Ferment Anything
Get Cultured? Mary and I try to eat some cultured veggies, make kefir and drink Kombucha each day and so far this winter-to-date we have not caught any colds or flus.
Maybe it’s just all the pure filtered water we drink each day, or good luck.
But I like to think fermented food and beverages has a lot to do with protecting us from the latest colds and nasty viruses that are going around.
I like the fact that most fermentations are very economical to make plus there are many more health benefits, techniques, recipes, and troubleshooting techniques involved in mastering the art of Fermentation, and I’m not an expert yet, but I keep working at it.
So if you’re serious about not only eating healthy foods, or maximizing the nutrition in every bite you take, this multimedia ecourse series by Jenny should appeal to you.
In this class you’ll learn:
Why fermented foods are critical to your health
How beneficial bacteria can actually work with your DNA to build immunity
How to enhance digestive health through real food
How you can make everyday foods like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise that enhance your family’s health
How to make yogurt and kefir using raw milk, pasteurized milk or even coconut milk
How to make natural, low sugar sodas that are actually good for your kids
How to make bacon and corned beef without added nitrates/nitrites in just a few simple steps
How to preserve foods naturally with the lost art of fermentation
How to troubleshoot when your home-fermented foods go funky
How to ferment foods naturally and safely
You need this class if:
You want to build immunity naturally
You want to optimize gut health and digestion
You want to give up processed commodity foods and start eating real
You value cooking from scratch and mastering the lost arts of traditional foods
You want to restore the proper balance to your gut
You or your family suffers from digestive ills or food intolerances.
You adhere to a real food diet or the dietary guidelines of the Weston A Price Foundation.
You want to SAVE money by making good food at home from scratch
You’re on a restricted diet such as GAPS or SCD which places importance on the value of fermented foods
This comprehensive series includes more than 50 video tutorials and 100 recipes for nourishing fermented foods, plus regular conference calls for participants so you can get your questions answered with premium instructor support. Sounds too good to be true?
Lesson Details are Here.
You can also save $20.00 on Registration:
You can save $20.00 on registration by using the following Coupon code: SOURPICKLES This code is good through February 19, 2011.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
Get Cultured? Mary and I try to eat some cultured veggies, make kefir and drink Kombucha each day and so far this winter-to-date we have not caught any colds or flus.
Maybe it’s just all the pure filtered water we drink each day, or good luck.
But I like to think fermented food and beverages has a lot to do with protecting us from the latest colds and nasty viruses that are going around.
I like the fact that most fermentations are very economical to make plus there are many more health benefits, techniques, recipes, and troubleshooting techniques involved in mastering the art of Fermentation, and I’m not an expert yet, but I keep working at it.
So if you’re serious about not only eating healthy foods, or maximizing the nutrition in every bite you take, this multimedia ecourse series by Jenny should appeal to you.
In this class you’ll learn:
Why fermented foods are critical to your health
How beneficial bacteria can actually work with your DNA to build immunity
How to enhance digestive health through real food
How you can make everyday foods like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise that enhance your family’s health
How to make yogurt and kefir using raw milk, pasteurized milk or even coconut milk
How to make natural, low sugar sodas that are actually good for your kids
How to make bacon and corned beef without added nitrates/nitrites in just a few simple steps
How to preserve foods naturally with the lost art of fermentation
How to troubleshoot when your home-fermented foods go funky
How to ferment foods naturally and safely
You need this class if:
You want to build immunity naturally
You want to optimize gut health and digestion
You want to give up processed commodity foods and start eating real
You value cooking from scratch and mastering the lost arts of traditional foods
You want to restore the proper balance to your gut
You or your family suffers from digestive ills or food intolerances.
You adhere to a real food diet or the dietary guidelines of the Weston A Price Foundation.
You want to SAVE money by making good food at home from scratch
You’re on a restricted diet such as GAPS or SCD which places importance on the value of fermented foods
This comprehensive series includes more than 50 video tutorials and 100 recipes for nourishing fermented foods, plus regular conference calls for participants so you can get your questions answered with premium instructor support. Sounds too good to be true?
Lesson Details are Here.
You can also save $20.00 on Registration:
You can save $20.00 on registration by using the following Coupon code: SOURPICKLES This code is good through February 19, 2011.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
martes, 8 de febrero de 2011
Introducing The Wondermill Junior Contest
Urban Homemaker's 20th Anniversary celebration-The Wondermill Junior Contest
This contest is now closed.
The winner of the Wondermill Junior Grainmill is contest entry #118, Shawn. Shawn, you need to email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com to claim your prize.
The next contest will be posted at The Urban Homemaker blog by Friday. Be sure to sign up for blog updates by email above left on this page, or "Like" The Urban Homemaker at Facebook.
Here is how to participate in future Urban Homemaker Contests.
There are up to five ways to enter the contest!
You get one contest entry for each of the following steps you take and you post that you did it in the comments section of this blog page below:
1. Post this article to your Facebook page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
2. Post this article to your Twitter page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
3. Sign up for receiving The Urban Homemaker blog posts by email above, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
4. Mention this contest in your blog posting and link back to this page and post your blog link in the comments section below.
5. Sign up to receive The Urban Homemaker Enewsletter, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
In a time of food shortage or emergency, having a non-electric grain mill could be a blessing to your family, your friends and your neighborhood.
The Wonder Junior is the highest quality most versatile hand mill available at an affordable price.
Features Include:
The hopper is large and holds over one quart or 4 cups
Wonder Junior is one-piece construction so the hopper will not come off during use.
Heavy-duty patented double clamp
Attaches to tables or counters up to 2 inches thick
Clamp will never move or loosen up like other hand grain mills on the market t
Uses extra large lifetime lubricated bearings
Heavy duty base can be bolted to any table or counter, if desired.
Stone heads are one-third thicker than other hand grain mills will give a lifetime of use
High-quality stainless steel burr heads are for milling wet or oily grains, seeds, or coffee.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
You can create super fine flour or coarse cracked grains for cereals.
Stainless steel burrs come standard with the Wondermill Junior Deluxe and will easily grind oily seeds, nuts, grains or even coffee without gumming up.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
This contest is now closed.
The winner of the Wondermill Junior Grainmill is contest entry #118, Shawn. Shawn, you need to email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com to claim your prize.
The next contest will be posted at The Urban Homemaker blog by Friday. Be sure to sign up for blog updates by email above left on this page, or "Like" The Urban Homemaker at Facebook.
Here is how to participate in future Urban Homemaker Contests.
There are up to five ways to enter the contest!
You get one contest entry for each of the following steps you take and you post that you did it in the comments section of this blog page below:
1. Post this article to your Facebook page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
2. Post this article to your Twitter page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
3. Sign up for receiving The Urban Homemaker blog posts by email above, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
4. Mention this contest in your blog posting and link back to this page and post your blog link in the comments section below.
5. Sign up to receive The Urban Homemaker Enewsletter, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
In a time of food shortage or emergency, having a non-electric grain mill could be a blessing to your family, your friends and your neighborhood.
The Wonder Junior is the highest quality most versatile hand mill available at an affordable price.
Features Include:
The hopper is large and holds over one quart or 4 cups
Wonder Junior is one-piece construction so the hopper will not come off during use.
Heavy-duty patented double clamp
Attaches to tables or counters up to 2 inches thick
Clamp will never move or loosen up like other hand grain mills on the market t
Uses extra large lifetime lubricated bearings
Heavy duty base can be bolted to any table or counter, if desired.
Stone heads are one-third thicker than other hand grain mills will give a lifetime of use
High-quality stainless steel burr heads are for milling wet or oily grains, seeds, or coffee.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
You can create super fine flour or coarse cracked grains for cereals.
Stainless steel burrs come standard with the Wondermill Junior Deluxe and will easily grind oily seeds, nuts, grains or even coffee without gumming up.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
viernes, 4 de febrero de 2011
Friday Freebies and Last Day to Save on Mills and Mixers
Read the Class Details and Save $20 with Coupon Code Below
Celebrating 20 Years in Business:
With a Friday Freebie, last Day to Save on Real Food & Nutrition Class, and Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill:
Sheri Graham, has offered to share her ebook Bountiful Breakfasts with us for this week only. It has great recipes for muffins, breakfast breads, waffles, and more. Many recipes are scaled to larger families or for stocking the freezer. There are some very nice pictures to get you inspired. Check it out while it is free.
Sheri is a homeschool mom of five and has many practical, and wonderful resources to share at her website Graham Family Ministries. Check it out.
FYI: Sheri Graham and I co-authored the ebook entitled: 12 Week Holiday Holiday Planner for Christian Families.
Real Food and Nutrition ecourse Registration Ends Today
Learn about Real Food and what the FDA and the Food Pyramid don't tell you!
Save $20.00 on class registration by using coupon code UH20OFF.
Kristen Michaelis’ class Real Food and Nutrition is designed for those aged 12 and up who desire to understand what the Real Food and Sustainable Living movement is all about. In the 10 week ecourse you will:
Read first-hand accounts from inside the Real Food Revolution,
Watch video footage of the leading thinkers behind the sustainable food movement,
Engage the course materials in a critical, thoughtful way
Participate in an online community learning experience.
Do experiments at the grocery store, in your kitchen, and (if possible) local farms.
Watch informative yet entertaining videos
Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill prices go up on Monday February 7, 2011. Invest Now and SAVE!
Bosch Universal Plus - Now $359.99 through February 6, 2011. After Sunday it goes to $429.99!
Nutrimill - Now $239.99 through February 6, 2011. After Sunday it goes up to $259.99
Related Help:
Steps to the Best Bread by Marilyn Moll
Baking Bread Step by Step Demonstration
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
Celebrating 20 Years in Business:
With a Friday Freebie, last Day to Save on Real Food & Nutrition Class, and Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill:
Sheri Graham, has offered to share her ebook Bountiful Breakfasts with us for this week only. It has great recipes for muffins, breakfast breads, waffles, and more. Many recipes are scaled to larger families or for stocking the freezer. There are some very nice pictures to get you inspired. Check it out while it is free.
Sheri is a homeschool mom of five and has many practical, and wonderful resources to share at her website Graham Family Ministries. Check it out.
FYI: Sheri Graham and I co-authored the ebook entitled: 12 Week Holiday Holiday Planner for Christian Families.
Real Food and Nutrition ecourse Registration Ends Today
Learn about Real Food and what the FDA and the Food Pyramid don't tell you!
Save $20.00 on class registration by using coupon code UH20OFF.
Kristen Michaelis’ class Real Food and Nutrition is designed for those aged 12 and up who desire to understand what the Real Food and Sustainable Living movement is all about. In the 10 week ecourse you will:
Read first-hand accounts from inside the Real Food Revolution,
Watch video footage of the leading thinkers behind the sustainable food movement,
Engage the course materials in a critical, thoughtful way
Participate in an online community learning experience.
Do experiments at the grocery store, in your kitchen, and (if possible) local farms.
Watch informative yet entertaining videos
Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill prices go up on Monday February 7, 2011. Invest Now and SAVE!
Bosch Universal Plus - Now $359.99 through February 6, 2011. After Sunday it goes to $429.99!
Nutrimill - Now $239.99 through February 6, 2011. After Sunday it goes up to $259.99
Related Help:
Steps to the Best Bread by Marilyn Moll
Baking Bread Step by Step Demonstration
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
martes, 1 de febrero de 2011
Enter the Contest to Win a Sprouter and Sprouting Seeds
Celebrating 20 Years of Business by Entering the Contest:
This contest is closed. Rachel Manchester, entry #226 was the winner.
This contest winner got a Double Sproutmaster and a 3.5 Pound Container of a Pro-Vita Sprouting Seed Mix. This is a $53.99 value. There are up to five ways to enter the contest!
You get one contest entry for each of the following steps you take and you post that you did it in the comments section of this blog page below:
1. Post this article to your Facebook page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
2. Post this article to your Twitter page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
3. Sign up for receiving The Urban Homemaker blog posts by email above, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
4. Mention this contest in your blog posting and link back to this page and post your blog link in the comments section below.
5. Sign up to receive The Urban Homemaker Enewsletter, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
In a time of food shortage or emergency, knowing how to sprout seeds is one of the most important skills you can have and it is very easy.
Related Articles:
Read 10 Reasons on Why you Should Sprout.
On Monday, February 7, I will take the total number of comments and enter the number into random.org and announce the winner in my enewsletter that will be published next week.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
This contest is closed. Rachel Manchester, entry #226 was the winner.
This contest winner got a Double Sproutmaster and a 3.5 Pound Container of a Pro-Vita Sprouting Seed Mix. This is a $53.99 value. There are up to five ways to enter the contest!
You get one contest entry for each of the following steps you take and you post that you did it in the comments section of this blog page below:
1. Post this article to your Facebook page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
2. Post this article to your Twitter page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.
3. Sign up for receiving The Urban Homemaker blog posts by email above, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
4. Mention this contest in your blog posting and link back to this page and post your blog link in the comments section below.
5. Sign up to receive The Urban Homemaker Enewsletter, and tell me you did so below in the comments.
In a time of food shortage or emergency, knowing how to sprout seeds is one of the most important skills you can have and it is very easy.
Related Articles:
Read 10 Reasons on Why you Should Sprout.
On Monday, February 7, I will take the total number of comments and enter the number into random.org and announce the winner in my enewsletter that will be published next week.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
Landmark Study - Toxins found in Pregnant Woman
Landmark study finds 43 chemicals -- some banned -- in pregnant women
According to a story recently published By Michael Winter, in USA TODAY
More than 40 chemicals, including some banned for three decades, were detected in nearly all 268 pregnant women in a landmark study by the University of California-San Francisco. Most of the substances are found in household products.
The authors say it's the first time researchers have tallied the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Of the 163 chemicals studied, 43 were detected in the blood and urine of almost every participant in the 2003-2004 study. Their ages ranged from 15 to 44.
Among the chemicals detected in 99% to 100% of the subjects were such banned substances as cancer-causing PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and flame retardants containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers, along with organochlorine pesticides, perchlorate and phthalates, compounds found in cosmetics, detergents, vinyl floors, toys, plastic bottles and hundreds of other products.
Levels were similar to or lower than those found in women who aren't pregnant but that they were higher in pregnant women when variables were controlled.
How to Reduce your Exposure especially for children
Eating: Eating a well-balanced diet of real foods prepared from basic ingredients at home, wash hands often.
Microwaving: Avoid microwaving food in plastic. Use ceramic or glass instead.
Cleaning: Keep a clean home using microfiber and water or enzyme based products. Toxic chemicals are present in household cleaning products, dust and dirt.
Shopping: Choose products wisely - everything from paints, cleaning supplies to cookware and beauty products. Select safer, nontoxic products.
The research is published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
According to a story recently published By Michael Winter, in USA TODAY
More than 40 chemicals, including some banned for three decades, were detected in nearly all 268 pregnant women in a landmark study by the University of California-San Francisco. Most of the substances are found in household products.
The authors say it's the first time researchers have tallied the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Of the 163 chemicals studied, 43 were detected in the blood and urine of almost every participant in the 2003-2004 study. Their ages ranged from 15 to 44.
Among the chemicals detected in 99% to 100% of the subjects were such banned substances as cancer-causing PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and flame retardants containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers, along with organochlorine pesticides, perchlorate and phthalates, compounds found in cosmetics, detergents, vinyl floors, toys, plastic bottles and hundreds of other products.
Levels were similar to or lower than those found in women who aren't pregnant but that they were higher in pregnant women when variables were controlled.
How to Reduce your Exposure especially for children
Eating: Eating a well-balanced diet of real foods prepared from basic ingredients at home, wash hands often.
Microwaving: Avoid microwaving food in plastic. Use ceramic or glass instead.
Cleaning: Keep a clean home using microfiber and water or enzyme based products. Toxic chemicals are present in household cleaning products, dust and dirt.
Shopping: Choose products wisely - everything from paints, cleaning supplies to cookware and beauty products. Select safer, nontoxic products.
The research is published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
Cultivate Self-Sufficiency Skills
Homemakers Cultivating Self-Sufficiency Skills for Today
When we started The Urban Homemaker business, twenty years ago, the main skills I had were baking whole grain bread, canning applesauce, basic sewing skills, and the ability to cook. Thanks to the gentle prodding of customers and readers I have mastered many more skills from the list below.
But there is so much more to learn for the benefits of our family, our community, and our world. I believe there is a growing underground movement of people led of the spirit to master such lost arts as:
Growing your own fruits and vegetables
Canning, drying, lacto-fermenting or freezing their produce
Learning to store your own root crops
Making your own lacto-fermented beverages and creating herbal teas
Pressing cider and juices
Making jams and jellies
Raising livestock and poultry
Smoking meats
Making cheese, yogurt, butter, and kefir
Making soap and non-toxic home cleaning products
Keeping honey
Keeping dairy cows or goats for the family's own use
Keeping chickens for meat or eggs or both
Cutting their own firewood
Making toys
Creating their own entertainment rather that dependence on commercial alternatives
Learning and applying principles of herbal medicine
Sewing and mending clothes for family and others
Knitting for family or for profit
Repurposing used clothing
Building your own house, barn, shed, or out buildings
Composting
Quilting and crafting
Baking for your family
Cooking for your family
Many other skills too numerous to list or even know about yet.
Lost Arts for the 21st Century – A key to navigating an uncertain future
If you and your family have been led to master some of these lost arts for the benefit or your family or for profit, I would love to have you email me a short testimonial that could be used to encourage others.
Or perhaps, The Urban Homemaker has played a part in your journey over the years. Can you share a short note with others to celebrate our 20th Anniversary?
Encourage Others by Sharing your thoughts
Wherever you are in this life's journey, just starting to consider this idea of self-sufficiency skills or having mastered most of the above list, I would love for you to write to me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com so that I can share your thoughts to encourage others.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
When we started The Urban Homemaker business, twenty years ago, the main skills I had were baking whole grain bread, canning applesauce, basic sewing skills, and the ability to cook. Thanks to the gentle prodding of customers and readers I have mastered many more skills from the list below.
But there is so much more to learn for the benefits of our family, our community, and our world. I believe there is a growing underground movement of people led of the spirit to master such lost arts as:
Growing your own fruits and vegetables
Canning, drying, lacto-fermenting or freezing their produce
Learning to store your own root crops
Making your own lacto-fermented beverages and creating herbal teas
Pressing cider and juices
Making jams and jellies
Raising livestock and poultry
Smoking meats
Making cheese, yogurt, butter, and kefir
Making soap and non-toxic home cleaning products
Keeping honey
Keeping dairy cows or goats for the family's own use
Keeping chickens for meat or eggs or both
Cutting their own firewood
Making toys
Creating their own entertainment rather that dependence on commercial alternatives
Learning and applying principles of herbal medicine
Sewing and mending clothes for family and others
Knitting for family or for profit
Repurposing used clothing
Building your own house, barn, shed, or out buildings
Composting
Quilting and crafting
Baking for your family
Cooking for your family
Many other skills too numerous to list or even know about yet.
Lost Arts for the 21st Century – A key to navigating an uncertain future
If you and your family have been led to master some of these lost arts for the benefit or your family or for profit, I would love to have you email me a short testimonial that could be used to encourage others.
Or perhaps, The Urban Homemaker has played a part in your journey over the years. Can you share a short note with others to celebrate our 20th Anniversary?
Encourage Others by Sharing your thoughts
Wherever you are in this life's journey, just starting to consider this idea of self-sufficiency skills or having mastered most of the above list, I would love for you to write to me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com so that I can share your thoughts to encourage others.
Follow me at Facebook: facebook.com/urbanhomemaker
Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/TheUrbanHome
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