Meal Plans For Kids

Being a first time mom, I'm not very creative when it comes to meal time for my family. Growing up, my mom would always try to get me in the kitchen to teach me cooking basics but having no interest has led me to the dilemma I am in today. Now that I have a fiance, son, and another son on the way, it's time to get creative and make some healthy meals that will keep my son interested and my fiance begging for more! I've been doing some research on meal plans since I need a little kick start. I found Meal Planning Mommies a good place to start. Quite a few of their recipes are homemade with healthy ingredients. I'm really excited to start making meal plans every week for my family. If anyone has any other websites that you think are healthy and easy to use please shoot me an email!

Earth's Best Savings!

Print your Earth's Best coupons here! Also visit Earth's Best for a chance to win a $25,000 savings bond! You may also clip 2 coupons from your February 2010 issue of Parent's magazine.

Herbal Birth Control

Herbal birth control is most effective with knowledge of your fertility cycles, selective abstinence, and barriers to sperm. These herbs may not be 100% effective, but may help prevent implantation of a fertilized egg, may cause temporary or permanent sterility, and bring on a late menstrual flow. Some of these herbs have potentially dangerous side effects so please respect their power.

Stoneseed root~Once used by Shoshone women to cause permanent sterility. Steep it for several hours in cold, rather than boiling water, and drink a cup daily.

Jack in the Pulpit Root~This was used by Hopi women and prevented conception for one week. Stir one teaspoon of the dried, powdered root into a half cup of cold water. If sterility was desired, two teaspoonsful were stirred into a cup of hot water.

Thistles~Many types of thistles seem to be useful in inhibiting fertilization. This herb was used by the Quinault Indians to induce temporary sterility by preparing an infusion by boiling the entire plant in water and drinking the strong liquid.

Increasing Your Fertility The Natural And Healthy Way

Did you know that the causes of infertility is either 50% weak sperm, 35% blocked tubes, or 15% unknown? Have you tried using herbs to increase your fertility? Herbs used to encourage a pregnancy are characterized by their ability to nourish and tonify the uterus, nourish the entire body, relax the nervous system, establish and balance normal functioning of the hormonal system, and balance sexual desire. Here are a list of some helpful herbs that may help you!

Red Clover Flowers~This herb has a high vitamin content and is especially useful for the uterus.

Nettle Leaves~This herb is a uterine tonic and generally nourishes with a special ability to strengthen the kidneys and adrenals.

Red Raspberry Leaves~This herb provides leaves which contain an effective uterine tonic and a large amount of calcium. It is most effective when combined with Red Clover.

Don Quai Root~This herb is known for normalizing your menstrual periods which will give you a more accurate time frame of when you are ovulating every month.

False Unicorn Root~This strong and beneficial herb is known for having an influence on the ovaries, kidney's, and bladder. This herb is also a powerful uterine tonic.

Ovulation is controlled by light. Leave a light on in your bedroom for three nights midway through your menstrual cycle, while all other nights leaving the room dark. You will ovulate when the light is on. Have intercourse during the 3 light nights if you want to conceive. This method is called lunaception. Lunaception combines well with herbs which promote fertility.

My personal experience~I've had an irregular menstrual cycle my whole life which created horrible mood swings. I went to my local herb store to see if I could find an herb that would regulate my cycles. I was recommended Femtrol which contains Vitamin C, Dong Quai Root Extract, Hesperidin, Black Cohosh Root Extract, Chaste Tree Berry Extract, False Unicorn Root Extract, Licorice Root, Rhizome Extract, and Fennel Seed Extract. After taking Femtrol, having a regular cycle for 2 months, and feeling better I fell pregnant with my son in 2008! If you have irregular cycles and are having a hard time conceiving, maybe you should give this a try!

If any of these work for you, please email me your story. I would love to hear about it!

Easy Aromatherapy Recipes

Responding to my blog post in October 2009 regarding Natural Remedies for your Little Ones, Kyley at Easy Aromatherapy Recipes recently sent me another helpful aromatherapy recipe to cheer kids up and help relieve chest congestion. Put a few drops of peppermint and lemon essential oil or lavender into the humidifier to help them sleep.
For more good essential oil diffuser recipes for keeping life healthy and happy please visit Kyley's website at Easy Aromatherapy Recipes. Enjoy!

Thanks Kyley!

Natural and Organic for Baby and You!

I recently received an email from owner and mom, Alia Alston who discovered Sweet Olive after her daughter was diagnosed with eczema and other skin issues. After trying products that her Dr. recommended, she decided to do some research of her own seeking a natural alternative. She has created her own natural diaper rash cream, which she calls Biscuit Butter. This cream also is an amazing soothing relief for eczema and other skin ailments. Lucky Ducky are her bath sachets that are amazing soap replacements for children or adults. Alia is in the process of developing an Ow-wee Cream that is packaged in an over sized chap-stick holder. Through research, she has found that children LOVE applying it on themselves. Cheeks, lips, dry spots, eczema spots, scrapes, and anywhere else there is an ow-wee. She personally uses it under her eyes as an eye cream at night. It has rose hip oil in it which works wonders for wrinkles! Plus, not only are her products amazing she is lucky enough to be able to donate a percentage of her profits to under privileged children charities. Remember, all of her products are organic, natural, hand made and 100% biodegradable.

Thank you again for your email Alia! Looking forward to sampling your products!

Baby & Child Model Search

Think your little one has what it takes to be a model? Visit Parenting Magazine for your chance to win modeling representation for your child!

Natural Cures For Morning Sickness

Eat or drink ginger~Raw ginger, ginger tea, ginger ale, or even ginger lozenges will help cure morning sickness.

Keep snacks by your bed~Many times morning sickness is caused by having an empty tummy. As soon as you wake up or before you fall asleep, snack on something to alleviate the nausea.

Eat something salty~Eating something salty before a meal may help settle your tummy and may give you the ability to eat more when you didn't have an appetite to begin with.

Peppermint~Peppermint aromatherapy, peppermint lifesavers, or drinking a cup of peppermint tea can help settle your stomach. One idea is to put a drop or two of peppermint essential oils on a handkerchief and carry it in your purse or pocket. That way, you will have it readily on hand when you start feeling nauseous.

Sea bands~Sea bands are acupressure bands that you wear on your wrists. They put a bit of pressure on the pericardium 6 acupressure point, which according to Chinese medicine will relieve morning sickness and even nausea in general.

Increase your Vitamin B6~There is evidence that taking extra vitamin B6 helps to cure morning sickness. You should check with your doctor though before taking extra B6 along with your prenatal vitamin, because you can have numbness and nerve damage if you take too much and it may not be totally safe for the baby in too large of doses. Your doctor can tell you how much to safely take to help cure your morning sickness.

Eat several small meals throughout the day~Eating many small meals throughout the day will ensure that your stomach does not become empty which leads to morning sickness.

Homemade Diaper Rash Cream

Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil with 1/2 oz. grated beeswax. You can also use shortening or almond oil in place of the olive oil if you choose. Using a double boiler, melt the oil and wax together until it has the consistency of petroleum jelly, stirring frequently. Puncture a vitamin E capsule, and squeeze the contents into the mixture. Transfer the mixture to a small jar, and cool to room temperature. Stir it until it has a creamy consistency.

To apply, spread a generous amount of the cream onto the rash-affected area. Never apply cream to wet or dirty skin, the oils in the cream form a barrier that traps moisture against the skin. Always keep a baby's skin clean, dry and well-moisturized. Store the homemade cream at room temperature.

Quick Snack Fix!

Don't have time for breakfast? Try a breakfast bar, granola bar, or whole wheat peanut butter crackers. The fiber will keep you full until lunch.

Have a sweet tooth? Try trail mix. The high protein nuts and fiber rich fruit will be satisfying and even a brand with chocolate chips is healthier than a candy bar.

Something salty? Whole wheat pretzels or baked gold fish crackers. Both have minimal saturated fat and cholesterol.

Need something to hold you over until dinner? Peanuts. The protein will give you lasting energy and they provide monounsaturated fats, which are good for your heart!

Homemade Baby Wipes

Baby Wipes Recipe #1:
•2 TBSP Baby Wash (choose a natural wash!)
•2 TBSP Olive Oil
•2 Cups water
Mix well in a spray bottle or your wipes box. Spritz on wipe before using if in spray bottle. Swish solution around over wipes if using a wipes box.

Baby Wipes Recipe #2:
•2 TBSP Baby Wash
•2 TBSP Olive Oil or 1 TBSP Calendula Oil
•2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
•2 Cups Water
Mix well in a spray bottle or your wipes box. Spritz on wipe before using if in spray bottle. Swish solution around over wipes if using a wipes box. Tea Tree Oil has lovely disinfectant properties along with its wonderful, clean smell.

Aloe Vera Recipe:
•1/4 Cup Aloe Vera Gel
•2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
•2 Cups Hot Water
Stir or shake until this recipe is well mixed. Don't use until the mixture cools. Spritz on wipe before using if in spray bottle. Swish solution around over wipes if using a wipes box.

Vitamin E and Essential Oils Recipe:
•2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
•2 Drops Lavender Oil (Please be sure to use only pure essential oils - don't use synthetic oils.)
•2 Drops Chamomile Oil
•2 Cups Water
•1 Vitamin E Cap
Cut open vitamin E caplet and squeeze into the water, and add essential oil drops. Mix well in a spray bottle or your wipes box. Spritz on wipe before using if in spray bottle. Swish solution around over wipes if using a wipes box.

Calling all Blogger Moms!

Looking for ALL blogger moms to send me your blog so I can list you in my blog directory! Mom's supporting mom's in our blogger world by sharing tips, ideas, advice, and friendships. So email me at pinkandblueavenue@gmail.com to be listed. Looking forward to seeing your blogs!

Send A Smile

Before the busy holiday season begins, take time to think about those that are less fortunate. Operation Christmas Child delivers shoe boxes packed with small toys to hundreds of thousands of children suffering from natural disasters, war, diseases, or poverty around the world. Wrap a shoe box (lid separately), fill it with gifts, include a $7 donation for shipping, and drop it off at a center near you. Collection week is November 16Th-23rd. For more information visit Samaritan's Purse.

More Natural Remedies for Your Little Ones...

The AAP says that kids under age 6 shouldn't be given cold medications, so try these natural remedies to help your child feel better:

Bath or Shower~ The steam from the bath or shower will help loosen a stuffy nose. Use caution while taking a shower with your child.

Humidifiers~ Not only does the humidifier ease cold symptoms, they will also help keep your child healthy! Research has found that flu viruses survive best when the air is low in humidity.

Honey~ A study at Penn State College found that honey is more effective than cough medicine for treating kids with a cough. Never give honey to babies under age 1.

Saline~ Nasal sprays or drops made from a salt-water solution help thin mucus so it drains. Doctors advise nasal washing with a special squirt bottle.

Tender Tissues~ Stock up on tissues that are infused with lotion. They will help minimize the sore skin that comes with frequent blowing.

Try to stay healthy this season! Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize!

The Power of a Banana

Never underestimate the power of a banana! Here are a list of banana facts that may surprise you!

Bananas contain 3 different sugars~ sucrose, glucose, and fructose combined with fiber. Research has proven that only 2 bananas can give you a substantial amount of energy to give you a 90 minute work out. That's not all! Bananas help with the following:

Depression~ After a survey taken by MIND, many felt better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS~ Forget those over the counter pills, bananas contain enough B6 to regulate the blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood!

Anemia~ Bananas are high in iron and can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood which helps in some cases with Anemia.

Blood Pressure~The banana is high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. The US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power~Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation~High in fiber, including bananas in your diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers~One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn~Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning sickness~Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites~Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves~Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Ulcers~The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Warts~Kill off a wart by taking a piece of banana skin and placing it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape.

Strokes~According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Stress~Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

One last thing, never put bananas in the refrigerator!