Why, Why, Why!? September 30, 2008

So my husband and I are desperately trying to get out of debt.   At one point we had three credit cards with a little over $3,000 on each one, totaling almost $10,000 all together!  How it got up to that much, I have no idea.  Well, actually I do know.  We were living beyond our means, putting more on the cards than we were paying monthly.  We took a Financial Peace University class through our church and learned a lot.  And up to this point, we only owe a little over $3,000.  It’s taken 2 years to get to this point, and a lot of sacrifices.  But it is going to be so worth it when we pay the cards off completely!  At the same time, we’ve been trying to build up our savings account so that we have money in there in case of an emergency.  We’re also trying to establish a retirement account for Jeremy and put in to that monthly as well.  We are really trying to do our best to be wise with our money.  I don’t go shopping and buy new clothes and shoes and household accessories.  We are simple with our groceries.  Jeremy doesn’t go out an buy the latest Playstation II games or go hunting or golfing or fly out to Vegas to go gambling.  We haven’t been on a real vacation since our honeymoon… 4 years ago!!!  We live VERY frugal lives.

Well, 3 months ago, the crap seemed to hit the fan (pardon my language!)  Our Landrover (a car that was graciously given to us) had trouble starting, and when my husband took it in to be looked at… well, let’s just say $350 later, it was all better.  Gas prices were extremely high then ($3.99) and the registration was up on the vehicle, so we just decided to take it off the road, insurance and all.  We saved $25 a month on insurance and hopefully $75 on gas each month by doing that.  Then our Chevy Classic needed new brakes in the back.  $350 later, new brakes and roters.  While in for a break job, they noticed the back right brake light was rusted out on the inside because of a crack in the plastic cover.  $400 later, new brake light and cover.  During all these car issues, our house had electrical and plumbing problems, and $700 later, they were fixed.  But our bank account AND our entire savings accounts were completely wiped out.  I was really frustrated because we had worked so hard to save that money.  It seems like whenever Jeremy does a side videography job (he works for a local lawyer as well as films weddings), the week we get paid is the week something goes wrong and the money just goes right out the door.

And if that isn’t enough, last month, my cell phone bill was $170!  (It’s normally $50.)  My heart sunk to the floor.  Did I REALLY use that many minutes!  I couldn’t believe it.  A few days later, we got our electric bill… $400.  (It’s never been over $225).  I was sick to my stomach.  The previous month’s bill was high enough as it was.

Yesterday, I got our water bill, normally $35… this time it a shocking $106.  I cried.  Seriously… I cried right then and there looking at the bill.  I couldn’t possibly figure out how we had used that much water!  I called the water company to see if they could re-read the meter.

The past two weeks, our garage door has been out of wack… Our toilet has been running constantly, to the point that we have to shut the water valve when we aren’t using it…  We have a leak in a pipe in our entrance hallway that has created a whole in our ceiling.  Our fence was damaged during hurricane Ike and a whole panel is missing.  And several more areas in and around our house need attention desperately.

What I want to know is why, when someone is being soooo extremely disciplined with their money, does God allow all sorts of maintenance issues and enormous bills to come their way, and in such a short period of time, exhausting ALL their resources!?  Don’t get me wrong, at least Jeremy is able to do some side work and earn some extra money, and so far (except for the back fence needing to be replaced) we’ve had the money to fix the major issues.  It’s still frustrating through.  I really think we could have paid off the credit cards by now if it hadn’t been for those unexpected bills.

Sorry.  I guess I just needed to vent today.  I need to think of it this way:  “I wonder how God is going to work through this situation to ultimately bring Him glory!”

The Meaning Behind The Name ‘Benaiah’ September 29, 2008

The meanings behind names are very important to me. For instance, my name (Erin) means ‘Peace’. My middle name (Noel) is special because I was born in December. My husband’s name (Jeremy) means ‘Appointed by God’.  Our first son’s name (Ayden) means ‘little fire’ and since he was born with red hair, it only seemed appropriate! (We even picked out the name before he was born!)  We also want him to be on fire for God.

We named his middle name (James) after my grandfather, James Edward Spear, because he was an amazing man of God, and so is my dad, Peter James. We are going to name our second son (due any day now!) Ethan, which means ‘strong and firm.’ We named him Ethan when I was about 24 weeks along and at 28 weeks, I had some complications that put me on bed rest so he would not be born premature. My prayer every day was that he would stay strong and firm and remain inside my womb, where he could be nurtured and develop the best. 9 weeks later, he is still staying strong!

We struggled with deciding on Ethan’s middle name. Picking out names that will stick with your children for the rest of their lives is not easy! But then, Jeremy read a book that inspired him, called “In a Pit, With a Lion, On a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson. It’s about a Biblical character, named Benaiah. He was King David’s body guard, and was mentioned in 2 Samuel, chapter 23, verses 20 and 21. Benaiah was a valiant warrior who did many heroic deeds… one of them was chasing a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killing it. If you ended up face to face with a lion, what would you do? My first thought would be to RUN AWAY! Normal people don’t chase after lions. The book talks about how the biggest risks are often the greatest opportunities. And since I am trying for a VBAC (a vaginal birth after a c-section), I am taking a pretty big risk. But I know that if the VBAC is successful, it will be the greatest triumph of my life. Right now, having a VBAC is the mental lion I am facing. I am not going to run away from it and do an elective c-section just because I’ve already had a previous c-section. I am trusting in God that He will be with me through the experience and give me the tools I need to succeed. Batterson writes that, “Lion chasers are proactive. They know that playing it safe is risky.” I want to instill that same brave, proactive, trusting, confident spirit in Ethan, as well as the rest of my children. I want them to know that they need to do the best they can with what they have where they are. Success isn’t determined by the outcome, it is determined by whether or not you’ve made the most of every opportunity.

Here are some other really good quotes I like from this book:

“…lion chasers aren’t afraid of doing something that seems ridiculous to others- because they know anything is possible with God… the One who knows no limits.”

“Impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles.”

“Don’t let mental lions (fears) keep you from experiencing everything God has to offer.”

“The greatest breakthroughs in your life will happen when you push through fear.”

“Your defining moments will often come out of your scariest decisions.”

“Courage is doing what is right regardless of the circumstances or consequences”.

So with all that said, chase your lions…

P.s.  I am in no way trying to make people that have had elective repeat c-sections or will have one in the future feel like they aren’t doing the right thing.  Most Dr.s won’t even perform VBACS… and ultimately it is up to you and your Dr. to determine which is better for you… a VBAC or a repeat c-section as each pregnancy and baby is different.

I Miss The Changing Of Seasons… September 28, 2008

I am REALLY missing experiencing the Fall season right now in Western, NY, where I used to live. The leaves are all changing to beautiful, absolutely BEAUTIFUL shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, amber, gold, auburn, purple, you name it. Words cannot do it’s beauty justice.

A college acquaintance of mine just posted a picture of a green path, lined by tall birch trees on her Facebook page. The trees have amazingly beautiful shades of red leaves on them. I can just imagine the crisp, cool morning air, the smell of wood fireplaces burning in the distance, the sound of birds chirping cheerfully (probably excited about the changing of the seasons too).

My parents live in the country, and in their backyard is a stream and hills upon hills of trees. The leaves turn all different shades in the fall, and to go out on their back deck and see the beautiful scenery, combined with hearing the stream bubbling over the rocks… it’s just breath taking.

Change in seasons is good for the soul, I think.

When the winter hits Western NY, the snow falls, icicles develop, and to find a box of hot chocolate mix in the grocery stores up there is like trying to find bottles of water before a hurricane down here in Southeast, TX! (O.k. that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea.) When the spring hits, the weather warms up ever so gently, flowers start to bloom in all their shades of glory, the skies turn beautiful degrees of blue… you can just sense the excitement in the air. Then summer hits, and you do anything and everything you can think of outdoors because you know the nice weather won’t last long as fall and winter will be on their way in a few short months!

There is not enough change down here in the Houston area, when it comes to seasons. We basically have hurricane season and non-hurricane season. The temperature does go down in the fall/winter (which I have lumped into one season because to me, it’s all the same), but there are no color changes in the leaves (well, they go from green to brown!) It’s kind of depressing considering the where I came from! Southeast, TX does have a lot of things going for it: Ummmm…. you can go the the Houston Zoo, different museums, and we have EVERY single restaurant you can name. Everything you can think of is at the drop of a hat, entertainment wise. But when you think about it, it all costs money! There really isn’t anything you can do down here that costs absolutely nothing, unless you want to go to a public park and get eaten alive by Texas-sized mosquitoes (or ‘quitoes’ as our son calls them) and fire ants on steroids.

I don’t know, I guess I am just being nostalgic and also missing my family. During the summer and fall in Western, NY, one of my favorite things to do is go on a hike (up Peet’s Hill) with my family and my digital camera. Those were good times. And it costs nothing and you get GREAT exercise. You feel refreshed when you are done.

It’s good to feel refreshed. The best form of refreshment down here is a non-fat venti coffee frappachino with whip cream (of course!) from Starbucks. That, and running through the sprinkler on a very hot summer day… of course you’re swatting quitoes and dodging red ant hills the whole time.

As a pregnant woman, I definitely feel the need for refreshment more often and in stronger urges. I wish I had the money for a massage right now. I could definitely go for one of those. That would be very invigorating and refreshing to a tired/achy body. Any way, back to reality… One thing my dad has taught me (verbally and non-verbally through his actions) is that reading Scripture and praying is the best form of refreshment you can get, on any level. I do find that on days that I do devotions and write in my prayer journal, that I “feel” refreshed. At the same time, I need to remember that it’s not about me… it’s all, and I mean ALL, about God. It’s a time for me to grow closer to Him, and learn about Him, and lean on Him. So I encourage you, when you feel bummed out because life is getting you down, the routine of day to day activities and chores is boring you, and you start to crave any form of refreshment you can think of… turn to God first before you turn to that non-fat venti coffee frappachino with whip cream from Starbucks. Spiritual refreshment will last much longer, mean much more… and not add any calories to your diet. )

Baby’s Bedding: Is It Creating Toxic Nerve Gases? September 27, 2008

Research done over the past 13 years in Great Britain and New Zealand indicates that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an environmental poisoning in the crib. In 1988, Barry Richardson, a British chemist specializing in deterioration and preservation of materials, and Peter Mitchell, a marquee specialist, were working on Mitchell’s deteriorating marquee, awnings and party tents. Mitchell’s marquee supplier told him that the chemicals in awnings and tents were the same chemicals that had been approved for use in baby mattresses. Mitchell also learned from Richardson that these same chemicals could be converted into nerve gas. Mitchell and Richardson decided maybe there was a connection here to SIDS. The research by Richardson began immediately.

The three chemicals of concern are phosphorus used in the baby mattress cover, and arsenic and antimony added as preservatives and fire retardants. Richardson has determined that a common household fungus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, gets established in the mattress from the baby’s sweating, spitting up and so on. Once established, the fungus begins to consume these three chemicals in the mattress. This results in the production of three nerve gasses: phosphine, arsine and stibine, all of which can be very deadly, especially to infants.

In late 1988 Richardson asked local coroners to cooperate by releasing mattresses on which SIDS babies had died. He received 200 mattresses of all varieties: foam, plastic, fabric and netted. By June 1989 all mattresses had been tested with the following results:

• Every mattress was infected with the S. Brevicaulis fungus as an organism and spores.
• All mattresses had one or more of the chemicals phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.
• Each mattress generated one or more of the nerve gasses (phosphine, arsine or stibine) when brought to blood/body temperature.

At this time, Richardson analyzed six blood samples of the SIDS babies who died on mattresses with antimony and found high levels of antimony in each sample. In addition, Richardson learned that 95 percent of mattresses tested had been used by a previous baby.

Meanwhile, a New Zealand chemist, T.J. Sprott, was questioning the role of chemicals in the baby’s environment. He learned of Richardson’s research and concurred that nerve gas could also be poisoning babies in New Zealand. He established the guidelines for wrapping mattresses, known as the Cotlife 2000 Specifications. (For additional information, log on to www.cotlife2000.com.) These specifications involved wrapping the baby’s mattress with a gas impermeable plastic to keep the gasses from contaminating the sleeping area and, in addition, using cotton bedding. Since 1996, New Zealand has wrapped 100,000 baby mattresses to these specifications. There have been no reported deaths to date on these wrapped mattresses.

SIDS is called the “mystery disease.” Understanding the gas theory explains away the mystery by answering all of the following perplexing questions:

Q: Why do SIDS babies show no symptoms?
A: The lethal dose of nerve gas doesn’t make them “ill.” It acts by shutting down the nervous system, stopping heart function and breathing. Research has shown neurochemical deficits in SIDS babies that are consistent with poisoning by nerve gas.

Q: Why are babies at higher risk after illness or vaccination?
A: The fever that results increases the temperature in the crib environment. This stimulates fungus activity and nerve gas production tenfold or more.

Q: Why does the rate of crib death rise from one sibling to the next?
A: In a reused mattress, fungus established in prior use cause toxic gas generation to commence sooner and in greater volume.

Q: Why are babies at higher risk in families where births are close together?
A: Once again, the fungus in the mattress from the previous use will be quickly activated, producing gas sooner.

Q: Why are SIDS rates higher in the winter?
A: Windows are kept shut, creating poor ventilation around the crib. Gasses are less likely to dissipate. Babies are often bundled in blankets during the winter, trapping gasses close to their bodies.

Q: Why are babies sleeping face down at higher risk?
A: Stibine gas is formed from the interaction of the S. Brevicaulis fungus and the antimony in the mattress. This gas is very heavy and hangs right on the surface of the mattress. A baby sleeping face down will breathe this gas directly and is more likely to inhale a lethal dose.

Q: Why are boy babies at higher risk for SIDS?
A: Most boys have a higher metabolic rate than girls, thus their body temperature can be somewhat higher than girls. The rate of gas generation increases rapidly with increasing temperature.

Q: Why does SIDS sometimes occur during bed-sharing on an adult mattress?
A: Phosphorus, arsenic or antimony can be found in most mattresses, allowing the generation of the nerve gasses. Adults are not as susceptible to gas poisoning as infants.

Q: Why was SIDS rare before 1950?
A: Prior to 1950, harmful chemicals were not added to mattresses. It was postwar technology that prompted the common use of phosphorus as a plasticizer, arsenic as a preservative and antimony as a fire retardant. In England and Wales the SIDS statistics from 1953 onward increased in parallel with the increasing concentration of antimony in mattress covers. In addition, prior to 1950 people commonly used soap for baby laundry, whereas now detergent and fabric softeners are commonplace. Detergent contains nitrogen and phosphorus compounds on which the fungus feeds.

Q: Why does SIDS generally occur between the ages of 2 months and 1 year?
A: It takes time for the fungus in the mattress to flourish and start generating gas. However, younger babies can die if they are sleeping on a mattress that has recently been used by an older sibling and has established, flourishing fungus. As babies get older, the gas exposure gives them a headache causing them to move around, wake their parents and stand up in their crib.

Q: Why is SIDS non-existent in some other countries?
A: There used to be virtually no crib deaths in Japan. Japanese traditionally used untreated cotton futons for babies. Recently, Japan has started to adopt Western baby care practices, mattresses, etc., and the crib death rate has begun to rise. SIDS is practically non-existent in Russia, as well. There, it is common place to cover the mattress with rubber sheeting. This rubber is gas impermeable, inhibits fungal growth and is free of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony.

Q: Why have SIDS rates fallen over the past five years, but are now leveling out?
A: Five years ago the Back to Sleep campaign was introduced encouraging parents to position their babies on their backs. This has likely saved many babies from stibine (the gas from antimony) poisoning. As was said earlier, this gas is heavy and hangs right on the surface of the mattress where face-down babies breathe it directly. However, babies sleeping on their backs are still exposed to the lighter nerve gasses: arsine and phosphine. In a warm environment phosphine can be similar to the density of air, and easily inhaled by a baby sleeping on its back. In addition, face-up sleeping is not as effective in a cot or bassinet with enclosed sides, because the gasses cannot flow away.

To prevent these nerve gasses from reaching the baby, New Zealand CotLife2000 Specifications recommend doing all of the following:

• Cover the top, all sides and most of the underside of the mattress with a polyethylene sheeting that is at least 5 mil thick and free of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony. Leave several venting holes on the underside of the mattress cover so that the gas can escape.
• Use fleecy pure cotton mattress cover over the polyethylene sheeting and tuck it in securely.
• Make the bed using pure cotton sheets and blankets.
• Do not use any of the following as baby bedding: sheepskin, moisture-resistant mattress protector, acrylic under blanket, sleeping bag or duvet.
• Clean mattress covers by wiping with pure soap and water. Do not use chemical bleaches or sterilizers.

© 2002 Midwifery Today, Inc.

[This article first appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 61, Spring 2002.]

Joanne Quinn is a registered medical assistant with a PhD in holistic nutrition. She is the Executive Director of the Educational Learning Strategies Foundation and field advisor for the National Foundation for Alternative Medicine.

What to Buy Organic September 27, 2008

This information is from “American Baby” September 2008 issue, pages 53 and 54.

“(Talking about pesticices:) To lower your chemical load (when it comes to your diet), you don’t need to take an all or nothing approach. Start with a change or two based on what your family regularly eats. These seven staples are a good beginning.”

1. MILK: If you want to make just one change, this is it. Conventional milk contains antibiotics, artificial hormones, and pesticides. Experts worry that all the hormones could kick-start early puberty, considering how much milk kids drink on a daily basis. Organic milk has also been shown to contain significantly higher levels of heart-healthy fatty acids and antioxidants.

2. POTATOES: They are one of the 12 most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables. 8 out of 10 potatoes, after being washed and peeled, still contain pesticides.

3. PEANUT BUTTER: If you or your kiddos eat a lot of peanut butter, it might be time to switch to an organic brand. The pesticides used on peanuts are found to be especially toxic.

4. BABY FOOD: Our body and brain grow faster from birth to age 3 than at any other time. If you are going to pick any time to go organic, from conception to age 3 is the best time. Once kids hit 3, avoiding the “Dirty Dozen” (listed below) is the next best thing if you can’t go all organic.

5. TOMATOES/KETCHUP: If your kids eat a lot of tomatoe products, it’s best to go organic here too. Plus, research has found that organic tomatoe products are 57 percent higher in lycopene (which lowers the risk of cancer and heart disease) than their conventional counterparts and dish up double the antioxidants.

6. APPLES: If you or your children eat a lot of apple products (apples, apple sauce, apple juice), go organic. Apples are on the Dirty Dozen list, plus the organic ones contain higher levels of disease fighting polyphenols and other phytonutrients.

7. BEEF: Organic, grass-fed beef tends to be leaner and have 5 times the omega-3 fats, which are good for the heart.

THE DIRTY DOZEN: These earn the distinction as the most contaminated by pesticides… buy these organic when possible, especially if you eat a lot of a certain item…

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Lettuce
9. Grapes
10. Pears
11. Spinach
12. Potatoes

American Baby’s Source: Environmental Working Group

Defeating Dust Mites September 27, 2008

So, I’ve self-diagnosed my son with a severe dust mite allergy. It’s the only thing that could possibly be in our home that is causing him to wake up every morning sneezing and wheezing. So I searched for natural dust mite relief and here is what I came up with! (Everyone should do these things, whether or not you or your children suffer from allergies. Dust mites repopulate at amazing speeds and numbers, so it could become an issue in your home one day!) “Dust mite feces and their remains are one of the leading causes of allergies in the home. You can’t completely get rid of all the dust mites but you can significantly reduce the number of mites thus reducing the allergic effects. Dust mites feed off of your dead skin cells and carcasses of fleas, silverfish and other household insects. Eliminate the ‘food source’ and you can help reduce the number of mites.” -eHow.com Try these steps:

1. Wash all your bed sheets, linens, and curtains in hot water that is above 130 degrees… anything less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit will not kill the mites (one website said above 73 degrees… Basically just get it the hottest you can). Wash bed sheets weekly, if not twice a week… and wash pillow cases even more frequently that that. Wash curtains and bed-spreads/comforters at least once a month.

1a. As much as I hate chemicals in the home, it might be good to put a tiny bit of bleach in with your whites once and a while. One of the websites I looked at mentioned that bleach helps to kill dust mites. But stay away from frequent use of bleach. If you are pregnant or nursing, never breathe in bleach fumes or get it on your skin. Have your husband add it to the whites, if you trust him! 1b. A few of the websites I looked at said to put pure eucalyptus essential oil in with your wash (along with your laundry detergent). A couple of teaspoons should do the trick. I would use the eucalyptus oil before resorting to bleach!

2. Dry your linens and curtains in the dryer at its hottest setting. (I know these washing and drying methods are by no means ‘energy efficient’, so maybe do the hot water/hot dryer settings only once or twice a month. Some is better than none!)

3. While you are washing and drying your linens and curtains, hang your pillows outside in the sun. Hit them a few times to release dead skin cells we leave behind, dust mite eggs, and dust mite feces (yuck!!!!!!!). It’s best to let the pillows air out for 3 hours or longer in direct sun. Dust mites hate the sun. But try to pick a day that isn’t very humid as dust mites love humidity.

4. After your pillows have hung out for a minimum of 3 hours, bring them in and immediately put clean anti-allergen pillow cases on them and freshly washed pillow covers that were washed in hot water and dried in the dryer. We currently only have three protective pillow covers in our house (and I think only one of them is an actual allergy-reducing cover), so I am going to go to Wal-Mart some time soon and invest in a bunch of anti-mircobial/anti-allergen protective pillow cases. I’d rather stop our son from sneezing and wheezing in the first place, than treat his allergic reactions with medications! It’s all about prevention!!!

5. Don’t allow your children to play with their pillows on the floor of your home, especially carpeted areas. That is the best way to pick up new dust mites and get the pillows dirty.

6. If you have carpet in your house, vacuum your house often, especially areas where you spend the most time. This won’t kill the dust mites living in your carpet (as soon as they get scared, they grab on to the fibers of the fabric they are hanging out on), but it will vacuum up most of the eggs and feces the dust mites leave behind, as well as get rid of dead human skin cells that the mites eat up (so gross!).

7. If you have tile and wood floors, but have area rugs around the house, vacuum them several times a week. At least once a week, vacuum your rugs and then hang them out in the full sun for a few hours. Remember, dust mites don’t like the sun! If they are smaller, machine-washable rugs, wash them at least once a month in very hot water and dry them in the sun.

8. While I LOVE finding great bargains at resale shops (Katy Christian Ministries, Good Will, Saturday’s Child, etc.), I’ve noticed that I’ve bought a lot of decorative pillows and curtains from those places! You don’t know what kind of homes they were in before and if they have dust mites living in/on them. So, I would recommend… if you find a bargain you can’t resist… CLEAN IT THOROUGHLY when you get home using steps one and two above.

9. Use a high powered vapor steam cleaner on all surfaces. Obviously, this is the best option… but not affordable for everyone! That includes me!

10. If you are redoing your floors in your home, opt for tile or wood floors. Dust mites don’t live on hard surfaces (well, unless there is tons of dust there!)… they live in bedding, stuffed animals, carpet, and anything else soft/plush/etc.

11. Invest in a good dehumidifier. Dust mites thrive in humid areas. Our son’s bedroom is inbetween the bathroom where we all take hot showers and the outdoor air conditioning unit (which is right outside his bedroom window), so maybe there is a lot of humidity in his room? I am going to get one and see how much water it pulls out of the air.

12. Use a wash cloth, or better yet, a loofa or rough bath mittens to exfoliate in the shower. Using just a bar of soap in the shower doesn’t really help slough off dead skin cells. The more dead skin cells you can get rid of in the shower, the less you get rid of in your sheets at night? So then the dust mites have less “food” to eat! Oh, and take your showers (and have your children take their baths) at night so you are clean, sleeping in clean sheets.

13. Limit the number of stuffed animals your children play with. Throw out the ones that have no sentimental value. The ones that your child(ren) can’t live without, (if they are stuffed with cotton) wash in hot water and dry in the dryer at least once a month. The ones that have beans/beads in, you have to surface wash and put out in the sun for a couple of hours. Their tags have care instructions on them. One website on dust mites said to first put stuffed animals in the freezer overnight to kill off the dust mites (put each stuffed animal in a ziplock bag first). Then, wash the stuffed animals and dry them thoroughly. And, of course, make sure your child keeps their stuffed animals off the floor.

14. When you dust your home, don’t dust with a duster! Dusters alone just stir up the dust and make it airborne. Spray dusty surfaces with an all-surface natural cleaner and then wipe with a damp rag or paper towel. Then, on delicate surfaces, wipe dry with a dry lint-free towel. That will prevent the dust from getting in the air. It’s also best to dust first and then vacuum the floors. Vacuuming after you dust picks up any dust that may have fallen on the floor while dusting. Also, thoroughly wash all dust rags after each use.

15. Use a floor vacuum with an excellent filtration system, like HEPA. We have a cheap bagless vacuum that has several washable filters that the dust gets trapped in. I just make sure to clean all the filters often.

16. Make sure to clean under yours and your child’s bed and other bedroom furniture often. Dust LOVES to accumulate there!!!

17. Replace your air conditioning/heating vent filter frequently and use the filter that filters the most allergens. (The thicker it is, the more dust it traps. And usually the more it costs, the more it filters. But the heavier duty filters don’t cost that much more than the cheap ones.) Just make sure you read the label… that will tell you its quality and filtering capability.

18. One person on the web said to put four or five dryer sheets between the mattress and the box spring and that is supposed to ‘get rid of dust mites’. I am not sure how accurate that is, but it’s worth a try!

19. If you have the money, install a TRANE CleanEffects electronic filtering system. Supposedly it’s 99.8% effective in removing airborne allergens in your home.

Well, those are the main things I found on the web that you can do to reduce dust and dust mites in your home. If you know of any other ways to get rid of them (with out the use of harsh chemicals!), let me know! -Erin

The Low-Down On Plastic Baby Bottles September 27, 2008

I got this info from American Baby Magazine- August 2008 issue…

“When it comes to baby bottles, you should take some precautions. A certain type of plastic contains BPA, a synthetic estrogen that can seep into liquids and food. About 95% of plastic baby bottles are made of this type of plastic, and animal studies show that it alters brain development and raises the risk of certain cancers and also early puberty in females! Legislation to ban or limit BPA is pending on federal and state levels, and many big stores are phasing out bottles containing it. But not everyone is alarmed- the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association says these bottles aren’t harmful when used as intended.” (Of course they’ll say that! They don’t want to lose money!) The JPMA claims that as long as you don’t microwave liquids and food in plastic, or use the heated dry cycle in the dishwasher when washing plastics, you’ll most likely be safe.

Erin’s Advice:

-Buy glass bottles! Then, you can heat liquids in them! When Ayden was a baby and I had to give him pumped breast milk, I would heat the milk in a glass container and then pour it into his plastic bottles. Now that I am pregnant with baby #2, I’ve purchased glass bottles to forgo that extra step and extra dirty dish!
-When storing food in plastic containers in the fridge, don’t microwave in them to reheat the food. Take the food out of the plastic storage container and heat the food up on a glass plate or dish.
-Also, don’t microwave in Styrofoam take-out containers, plates, cups, or bowls. Chemicals in the styrofoam leak into the food you are re-heating.

Depressing Images of Delivery September 27, 2008

So I had to have an emergency c-section after 34 hours of induced labor at 34 weeks gestation without my husband present, all of this happening 2 hours away from home in a busy city hospital. Not the best scenario for a first time mom, or any mom for that matter. Especially considering I wanted to deliver full-term, naturally, with my husband as my labor coach, and at the hospital across the street from our apartment.

Here’s the deal: I took a “Bradley Method” natural childbirth class with Jeremy and one of the classes assignments was to create a “Birth Plan.” I used all my educational training I got from taking the course, plus did extra research on my own, and came up with a killer birth plan. It outlined EVERY detail. I listed EVERY wish and desire (i.e. I do not want to be induced, I do not want an epidural, I want to labor and deliver in the same room to avoid disruption, I want Jeremy to cut the cord, I want to breastfeed the baby ASAP and keep him warm with skin to skin contact, etc.) I desperately wanted my labor, delivery, and postpartum care to be as natural and pure as possible. What I got was EXACTLY the opposite. Ayden tried to come early, and after 3 weeks of HOSPITALIZED bed rest, I was induced at 34 weeks gestation. I was given cervadil and put on the PIT (pitocin) to force my body into labor… Not what I wanted. I was put in a “labor room” temporarily because all of the delivery rooms were full (it was a busy night). They told me as soon as a delivery room opened up, I was to be moved there… Not what I wanted (I had wanted to labor and deliver in the same room because that supposively promotes a faster and more efficient labor/delivery). I was not allowed to eat… Also not what I wanted. (In my birth plan, I commented on how I had wanted to bring my own healthy and light snacks to keep me nourished.) I had an IV inserted… Not what I wanted. (I had wanted to drink my own liquids and labor and delivery freely, being able to move around the room). At 34 hours, I developed a fever, and the continuous electronic fetal monitoring I was hooked up to (ALSO not what I wanted) couldn’t find Ayden’s heartbeat. So, they wisked me away to the OR, quickly put me under (not good for the baby because it also gasses the baby and makes them less responsive at birth), told Jeremy he couldn’t be in the OR and to wait in the waiting room, and did the c-section. Ayden was pulled out of my stomach at 6:30 am with no one there (but the Dr.’s and nurses) to celebrate his arrival (I was uncontious, under the gas, and Jeremy was in the waiting room). Ayden’s cord was cut by a Dr. and given his first bath by the nurses (both things we wanted to do) and I didn’t see him until 6-7 hours later. I woke up in a recovery “room” which was actually a curtained-off area (right next to dozens of other patients recovering from different surgeries and illnesses) with the worse sore throat in my world (I guess they had to put a tube down my throat just in case I aspirated during the major abdominal surgery while on my back, strapped to a table.) Jeremy was able to see Ayden shortly after the little guy was checked out by the Dr.’s and nurses, and he took some digital pictures of him. When Jeremy came to visit me in the recovery “tent”, he showed me what my son looked like through the camera’s little view-finder.

5 hours later, I was wheeled upstairs to a official recovery/postpartum room of my own. And an hour or two later, Ayden was finally brought to meet his mother. Literally every single family member (including extended family members!) on my dad’s side and both sets of Jeremy’s parents were at the hospital by then and all wanted to see the new family, especially Ayden. Not only did I have to deal with the pressure of being a new mom under rough circumstances, but I also had to make sure that every visitor got a glimps of the little bundle of joy, if not hold him. I was overjoyed about the birth of my first child, don’t get me wrong! But I was also very exhausted, confused, depressed, frustrated, overwhealmed, sore, hormonal, and bummed that nothing went to plan. I just had to keep telling myself, “At least Ayden is healthy and had no complications. At least Ayden is healthy and had no complications.” Over and over and over. It has taken me well over 3 years to come to terms with the experience. I still don’t know why God allowed me to go through that. But I have to trust it was for a reason, or at least He will use it in the future for His greater good, to bring Him glory!

So now, as I am pregnant with baby boy #2 (27 weeks today!), I am overjoyed, but at the same time, I get flash backs of my first birthing experience. Especially when I watch TV shows like TLC’s “A Baby Story” and see countless women get whisked off to the OR for c-sections because of ‘failure to pregress’ or because ‘the baby is just too big and you are too small!’ and other silly reasons. A friend of mine just had a baby by c-section after a long labor. I just got done surfing Facebook and came across a college acquaintance that just had a baby. One picture she had on her page was in an OR with her husband (who was in a blue surgery gown, with a blue hair net, and a white face mask) holding their newborn daughter, and her in the background strapped to the c-section table. There are tubes and wires and monitors everywhere and you can barely see her head at the end of the table because the blue curtain (meant to keep her from seeing the baby pulled out) covers her from the neck down. She looks frazzled and exhausted. The baby looks confused and startled by the bright lights in the room. That to me is my destiny if I have to have another c-section. Labor and delivery shouldn’t be like that though. It should be painful and hard (thanks to our good friend Eve!), but it should also be natural, pure, and exhilarating in the end! It shouldn’t be medical, especially surgical, and completely monitored in each and every way. It should be the greatest experience of a woman’s life… guiding a new life into the world.

So, I am currently trying for a VBAC (a vaginal birth after c-section) and have found a supportive Dr. that will grant me a “trial of labor”. I desperately want to labor and deliver the way God intended women to give birth. I am soo incredibly thankful that I found this Dr. and that the hospital still allows VBACs. I found a doula-in-training that will be a birth assistant. I’ve also re-read all my favorite pregnancy books along with a new one, “The Complete Organic Pregnancy”. I am fully informed and ready for anything. I have the mind-set that whatever happens, happens… and God is in charge. God is in charge.

It’s funny, because at my last Dr.’s appointment, I told Dr. Ed that I had written out a birth plan for Ethan (our unborn son). He chuckled and said “You know what they say about women who write and give out their birth plans???” I said no. He then told me that almost always, it means they should get out their knives and get the OR room ready for a c-section. I asked him what he meant. “Things always go the opposite of what you plan”, he replied. I then decided to just give my full birth and postpartum plan God (It’s all in your hands, Lord!) and to my doula, so she could vocally be my advocate (in a polite way of course). I won’t even bother to give an actual copy to my Dr. or the nurses. In a way, I feel like its a curse! It obviously didn’t help me with my first birthing experience! It seems to have been a complete waste of time.

In closing, another picture on this new mom’s Facebook page, was one of her holding hew newborn daughter on her chest, tucked under her hospital robe. She is gently looking down at her daughter, who is sleeping skin-to-skin. It is such a great picture of motherly love, tenderness, and bonding. I can’t wait to hold my unborn son skin-to-skin under my robe and look on him as he sleeps. THAT is what it is all about.

P.s. Ethan, even though I can’t wait to see you and hold you, you still have at least 10 weeks left in my belly. Stay put and grow, grow, grow.

Talc Shouldn’t Touch You September 27, 2008

Q. What is talc?

A. Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos.

Q. What kinds of consumer products contain talc?

A. Talc is found in a wide variety of consumer products ranging from home and garden pesticides to antacids. However, the products most widely used and that pose the most serious health risks are body powders Talc is the main ingredient in baby powder, medicated powders, perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Because talc is resistant to moisture, it is also used by the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medications and is a listed ingredient of some antacids. Talc is the principal ingredient home and garden pesticides and flea and tick powders. Talc is used in smaller quantities in deodorants, chalk, crayons, textiles, soap, insulating materials, paints, asphalt filler, paper, and in food processing.

Q. Why is talc harmful?

A. Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos. Responding to this evidence in 1973, the FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibers in cosmetic grade talc. However, no ruling has ever been made and today, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. This inaction ignores a 1993 National Toxicology Program report which found that cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects.1 Clearly with or without asbestos-like fibers, cosmetic grade talcum powder is a carcinogen.

Q. What kind of exposure is dangerous?

A. Talc is toxic. Talc particles cause tumors in human ovaries and lungs. Numerous studies have shown a strong link between frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer. Talc particles are able to move through the reproductive system and become imbedded in the lining of the ovary. Researchers have found talc particles in ovarian tumors and have found that women with ovarian cancer have used talcum powder in their genital area more frequently than healthy women.2

Talc poses a health risk when exposed to the lungs. Talc miners have shown higher rates of lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses from exposure to industrial grade talc, which contains dangerous silica and asbestos. The common household hazard posed by talc is inhalation of baby powder by infants. Since the early 1980s, records show that several thousand infants each year have died or become seriously ill following accidental inhalation of baby powder.3

Q. What about infants?

A. Talc is used on babies because it absorbs unpleasant moisture. Clearly, dusting with talcum powder endangers an infant’s lungs at the prospect of inhalation. Exposing children to this carcinogen is unnecessary and dangerous.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

1. Do not buy or use products containing talc. It is especially important that women not apply talc to underwear or sanitary pads.

2. Contact your pediatrician and/or local hospital and find out if they have a policy regarding talc use and infants.

3. Write to the FDA and express your concern that a proven carcinogen has remained unregulated while millions of people are unknowingly exposed.

References:

1.National Toxicology Program. “Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of talc (GAS No 14807-96-6) in F344/N rats and B6C3F, mice (Inhalation studies).” Technical Report Series No. 421. September 1993.

2. Harlow BL, Cramer DW, Bell DA, Welch WR. “Perineal exposure to talc and ovarian cancer risk.” Obstetrics & Gynecology, 80: 19-26, 1992.

3. Hollinger MA. “Pulmonary toxicity of inhaled and intravenous talc.” Toxicology Letters, 52:121-127, 1990.

I also got this information from the Cancer Prevention Coalition Website… http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm

-erin

No More Hot Dogs for Us! September 27, 2008

There is accumulating scientific information on the excess risks of childhood brain tumors and leukemia from the consumption of hot dogs and other meats containing nitrite preservatives (a.k.a. sodium nitrite/sodium nitrate).

It would be great if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeled hot dogs and other meats that contain nitrites with a cancer risk warning after reading this!!!   Reading this will be WELL worth the time.  It has definately changed my view that “It’s o.k. to eat an occasional hot dog.”  I will not touch another one from now on!!!

The following is a petition I found on the internet requesting that FDA take the following action:

“Immediately require nitrite-containing hot dogs to be labeled with warnings such as hot dogs containing nitrites have been shown to pose risks of childhood cancer. Pursuant to 21 CFR 10.30 (h) (2), a hearing at which time we can present our scientific evidence.

B. STATEMENT OF GROUNDS

Nitrites are widely used as preservatives in hot dogs, besides other meat products. Nitrites combine with amines naturally present in meat to form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. 1,2,3,4 N-nitrosodimethylamine has been identified in nitrite-preserved meat products. (5,6) There is overwhelming evidence on the carcinogenicity of N-nitrosodimmethylamine in animal experiments.(7) Furthermore, epidemiologic evidence has associated N-nitroso carcinogens with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach and brain. (8,9,10)

There is substantial evidence on the risks of childhood cancer from the consumption of meats containing nitrites. (11,12,13) In 1982, Preston-Martin, et al. found that consumption during pregnancy of meats cured with sodium nitrite has been associated with development of brain tumors in the offspring. (14)

Recent case-control studies have confirmed the risks of cancer from consumption of hot dogs. Eating many hot dogs by children, as well maternal hot dog consumption during pregnancy, has been shown to be associated with brain cancer and leukemia in children. (15,16,17)

Bunin, et al. studied children who were diagnosed with brain cancer before age six, between 1986 and 1989. Of 53 foods and beverages and three alcoholic beverages consumed by mothers during pregnancy, only hot dogs were associated with an excess risk of childhood brain tumor. (18)

Sarusua and Savitz studied 234 childhood cancer cases in Denver and found a strong association between the consumption of hot dogs and brain cancer. Children born to mothers who consumed hot dogs one or more times per week during pregnancy had approximately double the risk of developing brain tumors. Children who ate hot dogs one or more times per week were also at higher risk of brain cancer. In addition, children who ate hot dogs and took no vitamins, which retard the formation of N-nitroso carcinogens, were more strongly associated with both acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and brain cancer. (19) Sarusua and Savitz concluded:

“The results linking hot dogs and brain tumors (replicating an earlier study) and the apparent synergism between no vitamins and meat consumption suggest a possible adverse effect of dietary nitrites and nitrosamines.(20)

Peters, et al. studied the relationship between the intake of certain foods and the risk of leukemia in children from birth to age 10 in Los Angeles County between 1980 and 1987. The researchers found that children who ate 12 or more hot dogs per month had approximately nine times the normal risk for developing childhood leukemia. A strong risk for childhood leukemia also existed for those children whose fathers’ intake of hot dogs was 12 or more per month. (21) Peters, et al. concluded:

“Our results provide evidence for an association between consumption of hot dogs and risk of childhood leukemia. Adjustments for all factors thought to be potential confounders did not affect these associations. Independent risks were associated with both children’s and fathers’ consumption…The findings, if correct, suggest that reduced consumption of hot dogs could reduce leukemia risks, especially in those consuming the most. (22)

These findings are of particular significance considering a 38 percent increase in the incidence of brain and nervous system cancers in children from 1973-1991. (23) Brain tumors account for about one in five childhood cancers. (24)”

I got this information from the Cancer Prevention Coalition website, http://www.preventcancer.com/press/petitions/april25_95.htm.

-erin