I'm a grandmother!

My precious grandson is finally here. Robert Morris Christmas III (Trey) was born on February 29 at 1:47pm at 7lbs. 13 oz and 20 1/2 inches.

My brave daughter-in-law did a beautiful job!

I'm in Wake Forest, NC for the week helping the new parents. I'll be back to posting soon!

Sugar...the Slow Poison!

Well, Ladies (and Gents!) Here are the cold, hard facts! Our bodies really were not made to handle white, refined sugar! Pre-civilized man did not consume it! Our upper intestines are not able to handle it, where sugars are supposed to be digested, so it gets passed on to the lower intestines, where it really wreaks havoc. No wonder it is being linked to colon cancer. We also know that sugar causes cavities, obesity, acne, diabetes, gall bladder disease, arteriosclerosis, and heart disease! It supresses the immune system- in fact, the amount of sugar in a soda and a candy bar is enough to "knock out" our infection-fighting capabilities for 24 hours. (No wonder our kids used to get sick after I would give in and let them go out trick-or-treating, and they binged on candy for several days.) So, why do we consume it in such great quantities? Because it tastes SSOOO good, and the sugar industry spends a fortune advertising its many products. In the late 1800's, the average American consumed 5 lbs. of sugar a year. Do you want to take a guess at what it is today? It is up to 2-3 lbs a week, which translates into 100-150 lbs a year! Childhood obesity has doubled (from 20% to 40%!) in the last ten years- all of this occurring while we are continually being warned about our diets! Another huge problem is that every event we attend and every holiday has its own unique "sweets," and to deprive ourselves or our children of these delicious treats seems downright cruel! (Ask yourself this question: If someone gave you a vial filled with a white granular substance labeled "Poison" would you eat it? Worse yet- would you feed it to your children?) So, what's a mother to do? Making your own sweets using pure, raw honey or unrefined cane sugar is one solution. At the same time, try switching yourself and your kids over to fruits and vegetables for snacks. I have found that my kids are not generally going to go to the frig, get out an apple or orange and cut it up. But if I cut up apples, oranges, or pineapple and bring it to them in a bowl, they will gladly gobble them up! Bananas, cherries, and strawberries are even easier, as they require no preparation.(except washing the berries) Keeping zip-loc bags with washed and cut celery, carrots, and even broccoli can make it more probable that your kids will choose them. (Of course, ridding your home of "Little Debbie" snack cakes and candy will greatly increase your chances of getting your children- and yourself!- to make healthier choices.) Then, when it comes around to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it won't be such a big deal to splurge and enjoy some homemade cookies and pies!... This is certainly not an exhaustive treatment of a very unpopular subject (ridding your diet of refined sugar!), but I hope it helps!

One FINAL Word (Ay least for now!)

We could talk forever about garlic and its many benefits! As to garlic causing gas- yikes!- I guess that is why I use Kyolic odor-modified garlic capsules! If you are having a problem, you should definitely switch to Kyolic. (And make sure that you always take garlic with food.) Also, I get my garlic, vitamin c, and all other nutritional supplements from Swanson for just about half of what they are in health food stores. Just go to swanson.com to order and you will receive a full catalog with your first order. (I do not use Swanson or any other brand "x" products, but Kyolic, Natrol, Nature's Way, etc are all available from Swanson.)
Donna, the taste of garlic does get into your breast milk, and babies, apparently, love it! As for pumping, I was never very successful at getting a volume of milk when I pumped, but the babies were content after being fed, as you said Roy Austin is. Your milk does not always let down as well for a breast pump as it does for a baby at your breast. I would not worry about whether he is getting enough, but be sure you continue to drink plenty of fluids everyday, especially water. Also, if you ever wonder if your milk supply is waning, let him nurse longer at each breast and make sure you are getting plenty of rest. This will increase your milk supply.
Denise, an antibiotic may work quicker than garlic, but with side effects. Since you are a stay-home mom and don't have to worry about having your children back in daycare the day after running a fever, I would choose the slower, more natural route. Also, every baby is different, but, in general, an 11-month-year-old will nurse 4-5 times a day. Matthew probably was still nursing 5-6 times a day at that point, but he was CRAZY about breastfeeding!
I hope I have answered all your questions- you guys are GREAT!
Next up- Sugar...The slow poison! (Then breastfeeding and immunizations!)

One More Word About Garlic!

Dolly had a great question, and I want to repeat part of my answer to her. Garlic is completely safe to take with any other vitamin or mineral, and has the most medicinal activity of any substance known to man! It is antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal! This is why it is so ridiculous for pediatricians to automatically put a child on an antibiotic because he has a fever. Without blood work, there is no way to know whether he is fighting a viral or bacterial infection. Chances are it is viral, and in the end all you have accomplished is compromising his immune system, and leaving him wide open to the next "bug" that comes around. I should add here, this is exactly where acidophilus is a lifesaver! If your child has had even one antibiotic this year, you really ought to get him on a good dose of acidophilus- 2 capsules before bedtime on an empty stomach is ideal- then you can cut back to one to keep his immune system strong. (Oh! By the way, all of this applies to adults, too!)
On a personal note, we had an interesting experience last week. I was in and out of Dogwood Forest (the assisted living facility where my mother-in-law lives) everyday last week while a horrible stomach virus was going through the place. Bob's mother's health started deteriorating and I was meeting with hospice and a sitter to set up a higher level of care- which is why I wasn't able to get back to you guys! I made especially sure to be vigilant in taking garlic and vitamin C all week, and I never caught it. On the other hand, Bob went in ONCE that week, and by 10:00 o'clock the next night was moaning in bed, and had a terrible bout of intestinal flu. I have been taking hefty doses of garlic and vitamin C all winter and, though he means to, Bob can't seem to remember on a consistent basis. Could that be the difference? Hmmm...
There was also a question about warts. Teecy won't mind me telling you that she had an outbreak on her hands in high school. Her dad insisted that we take her to the doctor and have them burnt off, so I complied, thinking the whole time- "I know a better way!" Sure enough they were gone when she finished that nasty procedure, but were back about 2 weeks later! This time we went the natural route. Every night I simply cut several garlic cloves in half, placed the cut edge right on the wart, and held it in place with a band-aid. There must have been 5 or 6 of them. If memory serves me right, it took about a week for them to disappear, and they NEVER came back!!
As to the brand of garlic to use, Kyolic is considered the premier product, but Nature's Way is a potent product, and I have used Garlique. Just be sure you get a name brand.
There is still more we could say about this wonderful substance, but we must move on! Next on the agenda? The dangers of refined sugar and immunizations, and the blessings of breastfeeding- for starters!

The Healing Power of Garlic

With ear and respiratory infections abounding during the winter months, let's look at some ways to deal with them naturally. My first line of defense is always garlic- in its many forms! For adults, Kyolic (odor modified) Garlic capsules are ideal, and can be taken to treat or prevent infections. You should take two capsules with each meal for as long as you have symptoms, then you can cut back to one per meal. ALWAYS take garlic capsules with food- otherwise you will burp, have an upset stomach, and be socially unacceptable! Add to that Natrol Ester-C, and you have an unbeatable combination. (Also take 2 per meal with the garlic.) I personally take this all winter to keep my immune system strong. For children, there is Michael's garlic oil. This is a lifesaver as it gives you a simple way to give them an effective dose. At the first sign of a cold or flu, put 4-5 drops in one ear, massage next to their face to get the garlic down into the ear canal, then put in a small piece of cotton ball. If they are coughing or wheezing, you can also rub several drops of the oil onto their chest or back. If you miss the early warning signs and end up with a full-blown ear infection, you can still use this same method, just be diligent to use it twice a day, alternating ears. Add to this Hyland's Vitamin C pellets(for lack of a better word!), which can be purchased at your local health food store. They come in small doses, and simply melt in your child's mouth. I have used this with infants, and it is perfectly safe. If you or your child has already had an antibiotic this winter, you should get a potent form of acidophilus to replenish the good bacteria that was killed along with the bad by the medicine. Two capsules in the morning and two capsules at night on an empty stomach should have you straightened out in a week or two. Then continue with 2 at bedtime for the rest of the winter. The beauty of taking acidophilus(or probiotics) is that in the capsule it is simply beneficial bacteria, but once in your intestines, it forms a natural antibiotic! I would not be without it in my home . A good potent brand will always be found in the refrigerator at the store, and should be kept refrigerated.
Well, ladies, that is enough for now! Please comment or ask questions. I look forward to hearing from you!