Tis the Season

It has been about a month since we last went to Story Time at our local library. The last visit landed us in the ER discovering that Owen has an ear infection and tonsilitis. His fever came on about 1/2 hour after leaving the library. So from a mama's point of view, it seemed likely that the infected germs came from the library. Do they really disinfect all those kids books, and puzzles, and toys? I sound like a germ freak, but when you really think about it, I know our kids have not necessarily kept each book clean that we have brought home. None of us have gotten the Seasonal flu or Swine Flu vaccines, an since Tis the Season for those paticular illnesses, I have tried to be careful without going overboard on baby wipes, and hand disenfectant, and hand washing. Yesterday we decided to attempt story time again. We weren't there too long, just long enought to sit in on story time and check out TEN books because when my kids ask for books I can't say NO. I could spen more money on books than toys for them this Christmas. About 1/2 hour after we left the library I developed a sore throat, left ear ache, and slight headache. Am I a hypochondriac, is it a coincidence, or does the local library really have more germs than a herd of Mexican Swine? My symptoms kept getting worse, so by 4:30 I drove over to the Urgent Care. Usually I wait it out a few days, but I knew I had to work the next day and all I could think was I would end up with Owens earlier diagnosis. SO 3 HOURS later I finally left. I saw the rad tech for 5 minutes who only asked questions while he typed info on the computer, then put my finger in the little pulse oximeter to check my oxygen saturation,( weird)! When the P.A. came in for 3 minutes, the first thing she said was, "seems like i saw you walk in about 3 hours ago", DUH, and trying to make a joke about it wasn't helping. She was in the room with me just long enough to make me think she didn't believe me, told me she is "not worried about the flu, it is pretty much over" (although they were still giving out vaccines last week around here) asked if I were pregnant, (I am not), never took my temperature, looked in my ear and throat and said I could have some amoxycillin if I wanted. Supposedly Publix grocery store gives out free oral antibiotics, but of course I got there 3 minutes after the Pharmacy closed so I have to pay $13.49 at Walgreens. I am feeling better this morning, still have a bad headache and sore throat and eyes are the color of tomatoes no matter how many drops I put in them. Did I go to the doctor too soon? Do I really need the antibiotics? Would I have taken anyone else in my family to the doctor so quickly? I am still going to work today, mainly because I need the money to pay for the 3 hour wait at the Urgent Care.

Sorry if this post seems so negative, gotta go read in the WORD for a little while :)

Life and Health

This is what I have been learning lately

Through much prayer and heart searching, we have decided to try for another child.  Deep down I want it to be a girl, but I know that I shouldn't think that way besides, I will not let myself be disappointed if we have 3 boys.  My first two boys are fantastic children full of life, love, and smiles.  I go to bed every night thankful of all the memories I hold in my heart because of my two little boys.  Now, having said that, in preparation for our next little bundle, if God so wills, I have an agenda. 

1.  Start taking prenatals again: check, except, one month down and I am tired of feeling nauseated every morning.  This was my first time taking prescription pre-natals.  My OB wants me to get     1 mg folic acid/day.  I tried, but they just would not sit right in my stomach.  So I went to the local health food store and bought myself..............a food based all natural prenatal vitamin.  It only has 800 mcg/folic acid, which is the highest amount that can be put into an over the counter brand. From what I have read, the RDA for the average adult female is 400mcg/folic acid and 600mcg for pregnant females.  I did call the doctor this morning to ask if this was ok to switch, but the nurse was out, so i made my own decision.

2.  Omega-3 fish oil supplements.  This is what is says on the back of the bottle.

Barlean's Organic Oil, High Potency Oil with EPA is for those who aspire to nutritionally support the optimal structure and function of:

• Brain Health and Cognitive Function
• Central Nervous System Development
• Fetal and Infant Retinal Tissue
• Attention Span & Intelligence
• Immune Function
• Postpartum Health and Wellbeing

 Uh, who could say no to that.  I didn't go to the store intending on buying this product, but somehow I walked out convinced that I needed it.

This came off the American Heart Assoc. website regarding normal adults and the reason to include Omega-3's in one's diet: 

 "The link between omega-3 fatty acids and CVD risk reduction are still being studied, but research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids"

• decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
• decrease triglyceride levels
• decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
• lower blood pressure (slightly)

3.  Spirulina

Spirulina is a blue green alga, that contains 10 vitamins, 8 minerals, and 18 amino acids. . It has been found help reduce weight, and help with many allergies, visual problems, carbohydrate disorders, anemia and many other disease conditions. It also has many beneficial enzymes.  I have read that it can cleanse the body, boots the immune system, stimulate metaboilsm,  and compensate for deficiencies in the diet.  Which after all this supplement taking, I shouldn't have any more dietary deficiencies.

I was first interested in spirulina after doing some research on the blood type diet. and finding this site www.runtheplanet.   find it very intriguing and would like to read the book Eat Right for your Blood

Type.    I am A+ and therefore am supposed to have a fragile digestive system and can't digest meat very well.  It is recommended that A+ blood types are vegetarians

The website suggests,

 "Tofu and Hawaiian Spirulina should become the Blood Type A person's best friends, as these foods contains high-quality vegetable protein!  Persons with Blood Type A do not produce enough hydrochloric acid in their stomachs, and that is why they have a difficult time digesting animal protein well." This also gives them a predisposition toward getting stomach cancer, and should never eat smoked or cured meats due to the sodium nitrites in them.  The inability to absorb Vitamin B12 sufficiently from food tends to make the person with Blood Type A prone to pernicious anemia. Therefore, supplementing the diet with Vitamin B12 is critical. 

Foods that encourage weight loss - Vegetables oils, such as olive and flaxseed; soy foods; spirulina; vegetables; pineapple."

Now embarks my new journey, to healthy eating, and important nutrition.  We shall see, if I any there are any notable changes in overall health, body, and mind.  As well, C and O will now be taking a food based, all natural childrens multi-vitamin.  They have been taking generic store bought brands in the past, but since I am now super vitamin mommy, they must follow in my footsteps.  I apologize for the strange font and line spacing, It won't correct.