If at first you don't succeed.... (Detox part 2)

By my absence you may have realized that I did not make it very far into my detox. One day! That's all !! And then to add insult to injury I receeded even more because I went on a disgustingly indulgent cruise where I ate my weight in delicious food. (More to come later on that) If you are interested in doing the detox anyway, then follow the day one plan and then....

Day 2-3:
10-12 gl water daily with lemon
no milk or dairy
fresh fruit and vegetables
no wheat, alcohol, processed sugars and caffeine

Day 4-6 
Continue with the same plan but add in some brown rice
Also continue with the supplements from Day 1.

I will be trying my hand at this again in the New Year, after the gorging of the holidays are over.

 Love and lightness,
Kerry the Momster

Please note I am not a doctor and do not attain to any safety/claims conveyed here. Please check with a doctor before starting any health regimes.

Little Liver on the Rise

I've been beating my poor little liver up with meds, and antibiotics and lots of fatty foods and partying. Think it needs a little revamp. I'm heading out on a cruise next week though so I need a quick one! So I've been delving into Liver Detox diets and kind of put a few together and made my own. It's not as nuts as Master Cleanse or anything, but I think it'll kickstart some healthy enzymes.

According to the "liver doctor" one should consume mostly raw veggies and fruit, healthy oils (fish, olive, walnut) but no fats and of course nothing processed. Then from other sites there seems to be a debate as to whether one should eat eggs and good dairy, so I have decided I will eat eggs cooked in olive oil, and only plain greek yogurt.


Here's the plan:

Day 1:(which starts tomorrow)
Lots of water with fresh lemon juice squeezed into it (10-12 glasses)
Liver supplements ( Milk thistle and Bupleurum liver cleanse)


And this in the morning:
* 8 oz all natural cranberry juice
* 56 oz pure water
* ½ tsp cinnamon
* ¼ tsp ginger and nutmeg
* ¾ cup fresh orange juice
* ¼ cup fresh lemmon juice
* SteviaPlus natural sweetener
* Ground flax seed (store in freezer)

Bring the mixture of water and cranberry juice to a soft boil. Combine cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into a tea ball and steep it in the mixture for 15 minutes. Let it cool, then add orange and lemon juice to the mix. Add SteviaPlus for taste.

At 2 pm I will start the heavier detox, which is recommended only if you intend to stay home and rest the following day.Go  here (Method Three) for the full "how to".

You will need:

• Epsom Salts: 4 tablespoons
• Olive Oil: 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Note: Light olive oil can be used but, organic Walnut oil works just as good and has a minimal taste.
• Fresh Pink Grapefruit: 1 large or 2 small, enough to make 2/3 to 3/4 cup of juice - buy an extra one just in case.
• 1-2 large plastic straws to drink the combination with.
• A glass jar that can hold at least a pint.
• Ornithine: 4-8, to help you sleep. A liver cleanse will affect your sleep. Many people find that they do not need this.

Remember this is the hardest day and tomorrow we get to eat real food. yaaay!
So I started to ease into it today, by eating only veggies for dinner and drinking "green" juices (Naked makes yummy ones).

 Then sleeeeeep. Nice early bed time!  


Love and liver health,
Kerry the momster


PS. Will try let you know the deets from tomorrow if I'm not too dead.

The Safety (or lack thereof) of the MMR Vaccine

As previously stated, in an earlier post, I am on the quest for the most accurate information on the vaccines administered to our babies and children. I am taking each of them, and breaking them down, gathering information from various sources, to help me decide which (if any) of the vaccines I find truly necessary.

This post I will be examining the MMR or Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

First,what is it?
According to http://www.nlm.nih.gov  it is a vaccine where "one MMR will protect most individuals from contracting measles, mumps, or rubella throughout their lives. The second MMR is recommended to cover those individuals who may not have received adequate protection from the first MMR. " (15% of vaccinated children, do not develop antibodies to the diseases, and this is the reason why ALL children are given a second dose of the vaccine. The British Medical Journal (Jan 13, 2001) showed a survey noting that 80% of UK doctors do not recommend this booster.)

The MMR is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. Generally, proof of MMR vaccination is required for school entry. (Unless you get a waiver, which constitutionally you may)

• The first shot is recommended when the child is 12 to 15 months old. The timing of vaccination is important to make sure the child is properly protected. It must not be given too early.
• A second MMR is recommended before entering school at 4 - 6 years, but may be given at any time thereafter. Some states require a second MMR at kindergarten entry. (Babies are immune up to a year old, due to their mothers immune systems- according to the CDC)

This is the vaccine that has been the most closely linked to autism, even though the Wakefield  study has been proven an inefficient study, it was not the only study or observation citing a correlation between autism and the MMR.

If you look at these diagrams, you can note the accute correlation between when the number of autism cases spiked and the introduction of the compulsory MMR vaccine (1987),

From Vaccines, Autism and Childhood Disorders by Neil Z.Miller

According to nvic.org, the chances of your child catching and having a serious complication from the measles, is much lower than the chances of him/her having an adverse reaction or negative consequence from the MMR vaccine. According, Dr. Robert Mendelsohn ( a renowned pediatrician and vaccine researcher), only about 1/10,0000-1/100,000 depending on their living conditions and vitamin A intake, will contract encephalitis ( a serious complication of the measles) versus 1/3,000 who will have seizures from the vaccine.

Even the Government Site "Medline Plus"posts the following risks of vaccinating your child with the MMR (whether you acknowledge the autism statistics or not):

Potential mild to moderate adverse effects include:

• Fever (1 in 6 children)
• Rash (1 in 20)
• Swollen glands (rare)
• Seizure (1 in 3,000)
• Joint pain/stiffness (1 in 4, usually young women)
• Low platelet count/bleeding (1 in 30,000)

Severe adverse effects may include:

• Allergic reaction (less than 1 per million)
• Long-term seizure, brain damage, or deafness (so rare that the association with the vaccine is questionable

 The chances of a child contracting measles, and having
A great book on the MMR vaccine is Vaccines, Autism and Childhood Disorders, written by Neil Z. Miller (2003). There is documentation of statistics, reports from various doctors that were presented to congress, where even congree members spoke of the autism risks from this vaccine. The author presents various facts, past and present such as facts of the measles disease decreasing even before vaccines were initiated, and other serious complications which are still being researched such us crohns disease links, blood disorders and of course autism.

Even if one vaccinates their children, it does not mean they are in the clear, in 1989 89% of all children who contracted measles in the US were adequately vaccinated, in 1995 56% of them were. So with all these risks involved, and the protection still insufficient my husband and I have decided against this vaccine.

Please don't take anything I say as the end-all, but rather use the links and statistics as a jumping board for your own research. I am not, or ever was, a doctor! Thank you.

More information:

http://www.nvic.org The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC, a grassroots organization founded by parents of vaccine injured
and killed children)
Vaccines, Autism and Childhood Disorders, written by Neil Z. Miller (2003) (A must read!!!!)
http://thinktwice.com/mmr.htm

Love and knowledge,
Kerry, the Momster

Merry Monday: Positivity Challenge Week 5

Positivity Progress thus far:  I have to be honest, it has been VERY difficult to help people whilst on bedrest, but I have tried to do things for my family. I called people, wrote letters, and gave undivided attention to my daughter. I thanked my husband for his help as much as I could and really hope he knows how much I appreciate him. 

This week's Challenge:

Try some journaling in a diary, or journal. But be specific about what's bothering you. Take five minutes just to write out everything that is going on in your head. It doesn't have to sound good, witty, or beautiful. It's just like a brain vomit (charming, right?). But just keep writing until you feel cleansed.

Love and positivity,
Kerry, the Momster

Simple, but so smart

From this blog I read called Zen habits, this is a culmination list of all the important lessons the author has learned. By subtraction of nonsense in our lives, we of course end up with more time for the "real", nurturing stuff that really fulfills. Here is his guide:

the brief guide

less TV, more reading
less shopping, more outdoors
less clutter, more space
less rush, more slowness
less consuming, more creating
less junk, more real food
less busywork, more impact
less driving, more walking
less noise, more solitude
less focus on the future, more on the present
less work, more play
less worry, more smiles
breathe


And Some fantastic books to read to children about the art of Zen, by one of my favorite children's authors Jon J. Muth:
 Zen Shorts

and Zen Ties

Love and zen,
Kerry , the Momster
 

Probiotics for Babies

I have seen at least three articles this week about probiotic drops for babies, or everything from acid reflux to colic or diarrhea. Here is some info on the matter from Pollywog. They also have a link to buy a product but these drops are available in Whole Foods too. I will be using this instead of gas drops with Baba Dos!

Another great brand of probitics, Flora( and a little cheaper).  Available on Amazon $19.95

Love and happy babies,
Kerry, the Momster

Is it really Special K?

There is such a barrage of tests and vaccines and "preventative" measures for our infants that new parents can be overwhelmed. I know I am! With all the standard procedures, it feels as though we have no choices, but we do!! The first thing to do is stay informed. Over the next few weeks I will present my findings on infant vaccines and other unnecessary "norms" in the medical profession. Read it, research it for your self and draw your own conclusions.

First is the aspect of the vitamin K injection given at birth. While in some circumstances it is completely needed, in most healthy births it is not. It also increases the chance of getting childhood leukemia by 80%. Breastfed babies increase levels of Vitamin K slower than those that are formula fed, but the same levels can be achieved through oral supplements for both baby and mom, which are safer and less traumatizing. I am opting for the oral supplement if I can get my child's pediatrician and the hospital on board. One less needle to stick into my fresh new baby!

Here is some links to get you started on the road to discovery and make informed, thoughtful decisions. Don't just go with the flow.

Dr. Benkin

Supporting Oral Supplements

Love and knowledge,
Kerry the Momster

End it the easy way.

Pregnancy that is...
I just went back to the new school year, and being on my feet, setting up my classroom, in a school that has an optionally working air-conditioning in this 92+ degree weather, left me dreading the weeks to come. So I am investing in some items to help ease my pained little body's woes in this, the last trimester.

My biggest complaints have been back pain (which now includes sciatic nerve pain added to my bulging spine discs. Yeeuck! ), sore feet which start swelling about half way through my day, and stress (I tend to harbor stress terribly, which results in lots of braxton hicks).

$1.99 for 8 at Walgreens.

Earth Therapeutics Sleep Mask, $8 at Sears.

Homedics Lumbar support $14.99 at Amazon

1. I first decided that stress is the most detrimental, and can be combatted by resting more, getting more sleep and exercising. Thus I have covered my bed in pillows of all shapes and sizes to make my night times more comfortable, and also invested in a night shade mask and ear plugs to dull out the sounds of my upstairs neighbor on her treadmill at 7am on weekends, and her dog barking throughout the night.
2. Back pain issues need more support while sitting. So I purchased lumbar support cushions for my chair at work and also my car. I also took two cushions to work to sit on and added a box under my desk to raise my feet a little bit.
3. Then I got some shoe inserts to help ease both back pain and foot pain whilst on my feet all day. As I CANNOT and will NEVER wear orthopedic shoes, I just got some inserts for arch and back support to wear in my regular flats. According to mommyfeet.com, these are great ones. They also have a little list of foot exercises which I will add to my yoga workout.
4. Finally- I am using an item I purchased for pilates- the big ball. It is FABulous to sit on whilst teaching and eases all kids of back pain. I also do some stretches over the back of it during my break time. But I do miss it at home and as it is too cumbersome to lug back and forth I may have to invest in  another one, or just bring it back home.

I am also trying to maintain eating healthy, drinking loads of water at work, and taking "real" breaks- not working breaks as I usually do. If you have any of your own working preggo tips, please do share.

Love and lightness,
Kerry, the Momster