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!

Crayola Creations

You can now upload your digital photos on the Crayola website and print them out for your kids to color! Try it for free anytime, but you need a code which is in specially marked boxes of crayons ($5 for a box of 48) to print your pictures. Psst, all Parents readers, you can print free for 24 hours using the code in your October issue page 27.

Free Pure & Natural Huggies Sample

Receive 3 free samples of Pure & Natural Huggies Diapers. Newborn and Size 1 only. Get your free samples here!

Make Your Own Baby Food!

Here are some delicious baby food recipes that I found to be tasteful and healthy for our little ones. The vegetables end up being a lot cheaper than the pricey pre-made puree's that aren't as fresh.

Apple and Cabbage Baby Food:
1 Golden delicious apple peeled and grated
1 Cup of finely shredded red cabbage
1/4 Cup of water
2 tablespoons of golden raisins

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Puree in food processor or blender until smooth.

Asparagus and Broccoli Baby Food:
1 cup cut asparagus pieces
1 cup small broccoli florets
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil

Cook asparagus and broccoli in boiling water until tender; drain. Place garlic and oil together in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Curry Pea Baby Food:
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas, cooked and drained
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/4 teaspoon curry powder

Puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Beans, Collards, and Rice Baby Food:
1 cup frozen collard greens, cooked
1 cup frozen or fresh green beans, cooked
3/4 cup cooked brown rice
1/4 cup water

Puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Spicy Sweet Potato Baby Food:
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/8 teaspoon cumin

Cook sweet potato in boiling water until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and place in food processor or blender. Microwave butter and spices together for 45 seconds. Add to sweet-potato mixture and puree until smooth.

Green Pea Delight Baby Food:
1 cup frozen peas
3/4 cup water

Combine peas with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, and cook for 6 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then puree until smooth.

Apples and Peaches Baby Food:
1 Golden Delicious apple
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
1 cup frozen peaches (defrosted)
2 teaspoons water

Peel, core, and dice the apple, combine with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan, then bring to a boil over high heat; cook for 5 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then puree mixture until smooth. While apple is cooling, combine peaches and remaining 2 tablespoons water in a blender. Puree until smooth. Stir apples and peaches together and serve.

Sweet Potato Surprise Baby Food:
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 cup water

Combine sweet potato with water in a saucepan, then bring to a boil over high heat; cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender. Let cool for 10 minutes, then puree in a blender until smooth.

Peach and Pear Baby Food:
1 small pear, cored, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup frozen peaches slices defrosted

Place pear and peach slices in a blender, puree together until smooth. Add water, a tablespoon at a time, if necessary.

BabyGanics Mess Maker Contest

Think you have the messiest little one out there? Go to BabyGanics to upload your picture to prove it! If you're chosen, you could win a BabyGanics Essentials Kit.

Plus, if you received October's issue of Parenting, the early years then you will get a coupon for $1 off any BabyGanics product of $4.99 or more from Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us.

Mom's Deserve Pampering too!

Has the weather left your face dry and looking dull? Try this home made recipe that you can whip up straight from your cupboards!

Exfoliating Mask~
Make a paste of two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of olive oil, and two teaspoons of matcha (powdered green tea, which you can find in your local grocery store's exotic foods aisle). Gently rub the paste all over your face for 30 seconds before rinsing. The matcha and olive oil soothe the skin, while the brown sugar buffs away the flakes.

Don't put this off because you have this and that to do. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Relax, live simply, and relieve that stress!

Useful Tips for Peaceful Nights

There are 2 ways to get your baby sleeping thru the night. 1. The Cry-to-sleep solution or 2. The No-cry-to-sleep solution. My son was waking up frequently thru the night so I found 2 different books that I recommend everyone to read. "On Becoming Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo and Roberty Bucknam is a book that I think would work well if your willing to let your child cry himself to sleep. The book I followed is called "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley which is where you soothe your baby to sleep. Both books provide a great source of information. Here are helpful hints to help your baby sleep peacefully thru the night:

~Establish a firm night routine that happens at the same time every night (Typically an hour before your child goes to sleep). This will involve dinner, a bath (you don't have to use soap every night, as it could dry out your baby's skin), a massage with organic lotion, putting on comfy pajamas, a bedtime story, a prayer, lights out, rocking, nursing, soothing, sleep. This will help provide security and send a message to your child's brain that bedtime is approaching.

~Avoid stimulating activies before bed such as watching TV, playing with toys, or rough housing.

~Avoid stimulants such as caffiene, sugar, soda, candy, desserts, etc.

~Use a dim lamp or a night light for your child's room if they are afraid of the dark.

~Make use of gentle natural remedies to promote healthy sleep habits and night time harmony for your child.

Got Rash?

Diaper rash that is....
Change your baby frequently but they still develop that painful looking diaper rash? Rashes are caused by diapers that fit too snug, irritation from diarrhea, or chemicals that are added to certain diapers and wipes. Luckily it's fall, rashes are minimal when the weather is cooler and more frequent when it's warmer out. Petroleum jelly or zinc oxide provide a layer of protection that helps clear the area because it shields your baby's skin from moisture. Be sure to dab it on the affected area rather than rub it in. Let your baby's bottom air dry after each changing, use a wet washcloth for those sensitive little bottoms rather than wipes, or try natural or cloth diapers.

Juice Tip!

If your child doesn't finish their juice before it expires, pour the leftovers in an ice-cube tray. After frozen, pop them out and put them in a freezer bag to store. When your ready to serve, put one into a cup of water, serve as juice OR just give to your child as a healthy popsicle snack.

Screen Smart

I have been curious to know if my 7 month old knew what we watch on the television whether it had bad language or adult content. Do I take him out of the room? Do I only watch adult programming when he's napping? So I did some research and came across an interesting article about children watching TV at such a young age. From the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, the more kids that are exposed to programs intended for adults, the more likely they are to become sexually active at an earlier age. For every hour of adult content that children between the ages 6 and 8 watched over a 2 day period, their chances of having sex at a young age increased by 33 percent. Be careful with what you expose them to, they are smarter than we think!

Interesting facts I thought I would pass along!