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Carrie

Xclear Sinus Nasal Spray

Here is the WAY COOL Nasal Spray I've been using ever since my Horrible Sinus Infection... Knock On Wood - I haven't had one since!
 I use it 3 times a day... ahhhhhhhhhhh

I prefer the first one - stronger pump... really makes it all the way to my throat in one pump :)

Watch our for the Artificial Enemy!

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Carrie

Hi there, hello, and how are ya? Before you FREAK, the answer is YES. You are probably eating and feeding your family large amounts of artificial ingredients without even knowing it.

This absolutely amazed me when I first started on this "All Natural" Journey. SO MANY PEOPLE ask me what is wrong with artificial Color and Flavors...
I've decided to define them for you and let you make your own decisions :)

BTW, the following Quotes and definitions are from a book by Elizabeth Strickland, MS, RD, LD.  It's one of the simplest explanations I've found in my research.

 ARTIFICIAL COLORS

The SEVEN artificial colors now permitted in our food (in the USA) are:
Blue #1
Blue #2
Green #3
Red #40
Red #3
Yellow #5
Yellow #6
"There's an additional issue that many parents are not aware of [earlier she linked artificial color to Autism, ADD, and ADHD]. Most Artificial colors are made from a mixture of phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds called Coal Tar."

Here are some definitions from www.thefreedictionary.com

Phenol

1. A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C₆H₅OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Also called carbolic acid.

2. Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Any of a class of carcinogenic organic molecules that consist of three or more benzene rings and are commonly produced by fossil fuel combustion. Also called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon.

heterocyclic compound/Coal Tar

A viscous black liquid containing numerous organic compounds that is obtained by the destructive distillation of coal and used as a roofing, waterproofing, and insulating compound and as a raw material for many dyes, drugs, and paints.

More about Coal Tar:

"According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, any product with a certain percentage of crude coal tar is considered a Group I carcinogen."

ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS

"Artificial Flavors are chemically synthesized compounds added to foods to either imitate or enhance a natural flavor.  There are currently 1,700 artificial flavors approved by the FDA."

MSG is one of the worst (monosodium glutamate). 

"It's used commercially as a flavor enhancer and found in many common food products such as canned soups, beef and chicken stocks, flavored potato chips, snack foods, frozen dinners, instant meals with seasoning mixtures, and foods from fast food restaurants."

Here is the Ringer!

MSG isn't always easy to spot on a food label.

It can be labeled as spices,  natural flavorings, disodium inosinate, or disodium guanylate !!!

"[MSG] is classified  as an exitotoxin, and animal studies indicate that ingesting high levels of it causes brain damage."

Here are a few links about MSG:

Resource for Life

healthy-holistic-living

msgtruth  (Okay, this one seems a bit radical, but it gave me some good ideas about more things to google!! lol. )

ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES

More to Come - I'm Working on it!

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

More to Come -  I'm Working on it!

What/How to pack for a hotel

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Carrie

Prep Time: 

MOM with "pack mule" (a.k.a. husband) + kids that can read - 2 hours

MOM with "pack mule"( a.k.a. husband) - 3 hours 

MOM with kids that can read - 4 hours

MOM alone - 6-8 hours    (This method is highly discouraged - May cause extreme grumpiness)

Anytime we decide to take a little vacation (which involves staying at a hotel) I take a few deep breaths and repeat..
There's no place like home -
            There's no place like home -
                       There's no place like home ...
                                    (BTW.. This doesn't work - even if you click your heels. So GET PREPARED!)

AND THEN... I begin feverishly making a batch of Chocolate Chip oatmeal Cookies and/or Biscotti. While the goods are in the oven I boil a box of pasta and make a VAT of Mae's favorite Sushi Rice :)
I will list things that I DO, BAKE, and PACK below. Feel free to copy and paste into your very own spreadsheet with a "check box" next to it. It's what we do!!!
The following is for a 2-night stay at a hotel with  an outdoor pool. I will add sections for variations (such as an indoor pool, a longer stay, no breakfast bar etc... ) I have many more articles planned: "How to attack Disney" and "How to enjoy Seaworld" in Orlando, Florida as well as "How to Move a family across the country".   

A 2-night stay at a hotel with a outdoor pool.  If you'd like the excel file e-mail me at MrsMathCanHelp@Gmail.com :)

	THINGS TO DO		COOLER		DRY GOODS		CLOTHES
	BAKE COOKIES		SANDWICHES		PILLOWS		PANTIES
	BOIL PASTA		YOGURT		TERYAKI SAUCE		SOCKS
	MAKE SUSHI RICE		PASTA		PASTA		COLD PJS (flannel)
	BAKE BISCOTTI		RICE		RICE		WARM PJS (cotton)
			APPLE SAUCE		CEREAL		TEVAS
			TORTILLAS		ALMOND MLK		TENNIS SHOES
			NUGGETS		APPLE CIDER		FLIP FLOPS
			ICE PACK		BREAD		STUFFED ANIMALS
			HOT DOG		ALMOND BUTTER		T-SHIRTS
					JELLY		SHORTS
					FRUIT JUICE		JACKETS
					CRACKERS		HANNAS (daydresses)
					RUBBER GLOVES
					LARABARS
	KITCHEN				CHIPS
			BATHROOM		FRUIT
	PLATES
	CUPS		HAIR BRUSH
	SILVERWARE		TOOTH BRUSH				POOL
			TOOTH PASTE		BEACH
			PUMP SOAP				SUNBLOCK
	MEDICINE		BAR SOAP		SUNBLOCK		SWIMSUIT (regular)
			SHAMPOO		SWIMSUIT		COVER UP
	TYLENOL		CONDITIONER		COVER UP		SUN HAT
	ADVIL		BLOW DRYER		SUN HAT		FLIP FLOPS
	BENADRYL				FLIP FLOPS		PADDLE BOARDS
	ALLERGY MED		LOTION		PADDLE BOARDS		FLOATIES
	ITCH CREAM		CLORINE BALL		ARM FLOATIES		WATER PUMP/GUNS
	ANTIBIOTIC CREAM		BUBBLE BATH		SAND TOYS		DIVE RINGS
	BANDAIDS				UMBRELLA		NOODLE
					SUN GRUBBIES		SUN GRUBBIES

 

Chia - The "Happy Pill"

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Carrie

Chia Seeds

It is important here that I mention that although all of the Omega's are important (3, 6, 9) our bodies currently have  WAY TOO MUCH Omega 6 and hardly any Omega 3. According to my research and the links below, the "Ideal" ratio is 1:1. According to Sally Fallon in her book "Nourishing Traditions"
most of us eat a ration of 1:20 !!!!!!!! Which is leading to all sorts of health issues. Heart Disease and inflammation being just a couple.  It is very difficult to find foods that have more Omega 3 than 6. Certain types of fish do, but let's be realistic. It would be easier for me to single handedly build a spaceship than get Mae to eat something she doesn't like on a daily basis!!!  So the source of Omega 3's HAS to be tasteless and inconsequential.

Talk about a  GREAT MOOD BOOSTER!!! Just one hour after eating a Tablespoon of Organic Chia seeds - her mood lifts to the point of giddiness.  After she eats them (You're probably wondering how on earth I get her to eat them... Just be patient - I will tell you soon enough:) she starts running around the house with her sister acting silly and carefree. Now, for those of you new to this whole philosophy and diet, it might not work as quickly. Some say it takes several weeks for the first real "kick" of upbeat mood. But at this point Mae has been, for the most part, 100% free of artificial color, flavor, HFCS, and Casein for over a year and a half. 

So now, for the moment you've all been waiting for....
How I get her and her sister to eat them.
the answer: Fruit Smoothie! (This recipe is for her and her sister to share - I add more if I am having some)
I simply put a few
Frozen or Fresh

Strawberries

Blueberries

Peaches

Banana

2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds

2 Tablespoons of Calcium liquid 

(This is also how I get the Calcium in her!)

Water

Blend and VWALAA!
The only way I can think of to explain the taste and texture of the Chia seeds is to liken them to the little black seeds on the outside of a strawberry.  Once Mae heard this she swallowed them right down without a word.

NOTE 1:

I highly recommend giving the smoothie at least 4 hours before bedtime :)
All of the fiber seems to run through them right around the 4 hour mark.
Can anyone say "Potty Time!"

 NOTE 2:

Beware of the farts! They will create a lovely musical sound around the house - lol
which is highly beneficial for the entertainment of the young ones you are trying to cheer up! Just go with the flow....

There is an incredible amount of research detailing the effects of Omega 3's on Mood. Here are a few I ran across today:

ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2006)
ACT - Changing Tomorrow (December 11, 2007)
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Treatment in Autism (February 14, 2010)


If you are wondering which seeds I buy here is the link:
Navitas Organic Raw Chia Seeds

Casein Free Blueberry Muffins

Yummy!  I thought I'd better get this up since it's now Blueberry picking season in our area! I know in Maine it won't be for another month or so - but here in the Northwest we are already sneaking into the fields early  - and I am NOT naming names -


Casein Free Blueberry Muffins

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees

WASH 

1-2 Cups of Fresh Blueberries (If frozen, rinse off ice and set aside)

(I have 2 little girls that always seem to make my Blueberry stash disappear while it's waiting for me in the measuring cup - which I why I always start with 2 Cups. If you, however, have no secret snackers in your home then you can start with 1 Cup!)

Blend

1/2 - 1 Cup Sugar  (if you have company over that's used to "sweet" stuff use 1 Cup. My girls don't eat much sugar so 1/2 Cup is plenty)
 1/2 Cup Earth Balance (or coconut oil)

1 Egg

1 Cup Fiber (I used 1/2 Cup Dried Coconut Flakes and 1/2 Cup Almond Meal - See End for Pics where I use 1 Cup Oatmeal)

Add all of the following at the SAME TIME before mixing on slow speed

1 Cup Flour

1 Tbs Baking Powder

1 Cup Almond Milk

1/2 tsp Salt

 Use Spatula to scrape the sides and stir by hand for a few strokes

 Gently stir in 

1-2 Cups Blueberries

 Spoon into muffin pan

 BAKE for 30 Minutes (at 375 Degrees)

If you choose to use Oatmeal for your 1 Cup of Fiber - this is what it will look like:

Casein Free Chocolate Biscotti (with or without Chips)

Carrie's Casein Free Chocolate Biscotti (with or without Chocolate Chips)

Note that this recipe is SIMILAR to my regular Biscotti but NOT THE SAME!!!
So please read thru ingredients... certain items are increased or taken out completely...

Mae and Rose love to eat them for breakfast soaked in Almond Milk. Or as a crunchy snack while outside playing (not recommended in the car - too crummy!).

Preheat Oven to 350 and set out two sheets of baking parchment paper

First you blend

1 1/2 Cup Soft Earth balance Butter

2 Cups Sugar
When blended, Add in

6 eggs

Then blend in

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Salt

2 Cups "Fiber" ( This picture is of dried coconut flakes and Oatmeal -but I used ground Oatmeal flour and Almond meal in this particular batch - you'll notice the white flecks of almonds in the final picture)

Blend in

2 Tablespoon Baking powder

3 Cups flour

2 Cups Cocoa Powder

1 Cup Chocolate Chips - Optional (I didn't use them in this particular batch)

Make 2 piles of dough on the parchment paper

Bake one at a time for 30 minutes. Then take out and carefully cut into slices and roll onto side (without breaking in half!)

(for pics of the cutting method - see my other Biscotti Recipe)

When done cutting place back into oven for 20 minutes.

Then VWALAA!! Here is the end result! Wait until they are cooled and hardened... usually overnight.
The more "stale" the better!