Dear Nya...#2 Speak Your Truth

To My Dearest Nya,

I wish I could tell you that everyone you meet will be absolutely wonderful to you at all times.  That they will be respectful of your beliefs, open to your ideas, and tolerant of what you have to say.  That people will always be honest; saying what they mean, and meaning what they say.  Unfortunately, this may not always be the case.

You will be put in situations which make you uncomfortable. You will be surrounded by those that believe the exact opposite of you. Your "friends" may even abandon you because they discover your beliefs are different from theirs.  You might have relationships with people who try to make you feel guilty for saying what you think, and may even ignore what you have to say.

Throughout this life, you will be tested time and again.

But know and remember that life will never present you with an opportunity that you are not able to handle.  Some will be more challenging than others, some will seem like a piece of cake, and others may have you sobbing into your pillow.  It is in these moments that your character will be defined.  How you handle each situation is entirely up to you, and no one can take that away from you.  Some may try, but it's not theirs to own.  They are your feelings, your thoughts, your ideas, your beliefs.  Own them.  Be proud of them.  Be kind with them.  Be respectful with them.  Be tolerant with them.  Be open with them.  Be accepting of them.

When speaking your truth, realize you are doing just that.  Your truth. In speaking your truth, make sure you are coming from a good place. What is your intent? If you come from an honest and open heart, your truth will flow easily, and you will feel a moment of peace.  Say what you need to say, release it, and let it go.  You have no control what happens to your truth once it's out there. 

When speaking your truth, always remember to be kind.  Your intention must be pure. Your truth may be judged.  It may be criticized. It may even cost you relationships. But if it does, then so would have keeping your mouth shut. Let others not like you for you.  Not for who you pretend to be. The true friends in your life will love and accept you for you, regardless of your differences.  How others choose to accept it, reject it, or ignore it is their choice.  And their reaction is a result of their own feelings and truth that they may or may not be able to share. 

Many people may find your truth uncomfortable. Unfortunately, again, this has to do with where they are coming from.  Many have learned to cover up their truth in order to fit in, not offend, and remain voiceless.  Don't allow yourself to give in to the pulls of pressure from society.  The only way to stay true to yourself is by speaking your truth.  For when you don't speak your truth, you begin to lose some of yourself "peace" by "peace".

Having said that, I want you to remember that you need to allow others to speak their truth.  Listen to them.  Hear them.  Accept their truth.  You may not like nor agree with it, but you need to be open to receiving it. 

Being open and honest, holding firm in your convictions, staying true to your beliefs, and speaking your heart is not easy. It takes immense strength. But I promise you, my daughter, you have it in you.

Truth allows you to live with integrity.

Everything you do and say shows the world who you really are.

Let it be the Truth. ~ Oprah Winfrey

 

Some people will not tolerate such emotional honesty in communication.

They would rather defend their dishonesty on the grounds that it might hurt others.

Therefore, having rationalized their phoniness into nobility,

they settle for superficial relationships. ~ unknown author

 

The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world

is to be in reality what we would appear to be. ~  Socrates

 

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life,

please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

 

Letter #1

  

What's In Your Soap?

At the end of a long and chaotic day filled with chasing my toddler this way and that, while attempting to manage the other 101 things around the house, I like to take 20 minutes of "me time" to unwind, clear my head, refocus, and just relax in a nice hot bath. 

Imagine my surprise when a friend of mine enlightened me about my beloved bar soap, Dove.   I was disappointed  to learn it contains animal products.  Upon further investigation, I also discovered most hairsprays, hand soaps, conditioners, and chewing gum also contain material from both farmed and domesticated animals.  Great.

That night my bar soap went out the window (actually, over to my husband to finish off), and no more commercial bar soaps for me.

Let's take a closer look at what exactly is in this bar soap, Dove.  Sounds sweet, innocent, pure?  Not so much...

Dove Soap Ingredients:

1. BHT ~ Suspected endocrine disruptor.  Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
2. Fragrance ~ Found even in products marked "unscented", can trigger allergies and asthma.  Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.  Some harmful to fish and other wildlife.
3. Cocamidopropyl Betaine
4. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
5. Stearic Acid
6. Coconut Acid
7. Sodium Tallowate ~ very, very inexpensive, byproduct that is typically cheap fat/bone/hide leftover from the commercial meat industry.
8. Water
9. Sodium Isethionate
10. Sodium Stearate
11. Sodium Cocoate and/or Sodium Palm Kernelate
12. Sodium Chloride
13. Tetrasodium EDTA
14. Trisodium Etidronate
15. Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
16. Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate
17. Tocopheryl Acetate

Bar soaps have fast become another thing that we've changed in our households after learning of all the synthetic chemicals and toxins they are made with (not to mention those leftover animal parts!)

This was one of my many "wake up calls" and lessons learned.  It is important to not only read your food labels, but product labels as well. And research, research. research.

So, what are your options?

1. You can find a company that uses only organic and natural ingredients and that don't contain any parabens, sulfates, dyes, or fragrances.

Make sure to order from a reputable company that uses organic ingredients; the fewer, the better.  Look for saponified oils (lye is used to create a chemical reaction which turns oils into soap - necessary in creating soap - you won't find any soap anywhere that does not go through this process - No lye will remain in your soap once the process is complete), and either rosemary or Vitamin E (these are natural ingredients used as a preservative.).  Some places will offer you leftover soap from their large blocks (the uneven soap pieces) or entire blocks that you can cut yourself; this will usually be cheaper.  Some places will also add essential oils and other natural ingredients to their soaps for scent or healing benefits.  Make sure to do your research first to choose what best suits your family.

2.  Make your own.  

It might seem like a lot to get started, but you can order all of your materials in bulk, and it will save you in the long run.  The only concern with making your own, is factoring in the chemical process of turning your oils into soap with the use of lye.  You need to be extremely careful when handling the lye. Buying soap bases and adding in your own essential oils is not the same thing, and although may be inexpensive, not recommended because of the unnecessary ingredients and preservatives added.  Here is a recipe for a hot processed natural bar soap.  I would highly suggest researching further and talking with others that have made their own before beginning.

3.  Use Castille Liquid Soap instead of bar soap.

I've also started doing this, and was amazed at the rich lather this type of soap provided.  Dr. Bronner's castille soap is very popular, yet I prefer to order from Vermont Soap Factory, simply because their castille soaps don't contain citric acid (a common hidden GMO) or other additives.  The base of castille soap is olive oil, which can be drying for some skin types.

To find out more about Castille Soap, and it's many uses, click here.

As always, this information is not intended to scare you, but simply make you aware.  Aware of what we are purchasing as consumers.  Aware of what we are supporting every time we make purchases. Aware of the connection between inorganic/synthetic chemicals and disease.  In order to create a more natural world that is safe for our children, we need to refocus our support to those companies and products that meet our standards.  When demand decreases, so will supply.  Change starts with one!

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

25 Days of Christmas

I can't believe it's already that time of year again.  And it's so much more exciting now that we have a little one to celebrate with!  

Instead of the traditional advent calendar, I decided to tweak it a bit to create a calendar for doing.  Spending time together, helping others, and creating memories are most important to us.  So for every day, we will open up our calendar and find a family filled activity to do this year.  As the years continue, and life changes,our calendar will probably change slightly.  But we will always keep this family tradition alive, in our brand new way.

Feel free to print out the document below to use, or create your own.  Below this document are links of "how to" for some of the crafts, as well as recipes.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Light Tour 

 

Paper Plate Snowman

 

Christmas Ornaments

 

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

 

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Hot Chocolate Recipe

 

Handprint Wreath

 

Popcorn/Cranberry Garland

 

Paper Chain Link Garland

 

Reindeer Magnets

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes  

 

 To connect with other parents and share the joys and challenges a child brings,

please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.
 

Homemade Lara "Balls"

I needed a change to my current mix of breakfast and snack meals, and finally found some inspirations thanks to April, at Kid Tested Firefighter Approved.  She had a recipe for homemade Lara bars.  I made the pecan pie bars, adapted them slightly, and turned them into miniature bite size balls, perfect for my little one.

They are quick and easy to make, and the best part is, they're made from whole foods.  Nya ate 5 balls this morning!

Here's what you need:

1/2 cup pitted whole dates (I like medjool)
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup pecans
1/4 tsp pure vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Here's what you do:

1.  Blend dates in food processor or high speed blender until paste forms.  Remove and set date paste in bowl.

2.  Add pecans and almonds to food processor, and blend until a coarse meal forms.  You want it to be a little chunky with no large pieces. 

3.  Add to bowl with date paste.

4.  Add cinnamon and vanilla.  Stir until everything is well combined.

5.  Roll into bite size balls and refrigerate. (I made 40 balls)

* If you are not comfortable with your baby having anything with this much texture, process all ingredients in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix until completely smooth.  Then go to step 5.

Nutrition Info per Ball:

Calories: 28

Fat: 1.8 g

Saturated Fat: 0.15 g

Protein: 0.5 g

Carbohydrates: 2.7 g

Fiber: 0.6 g

Sugar: 2 g

Sodium: 0 mg

 

Here are additional flavor combinations from Kid Tested Firefighter Approved.  Or get creative and make your own.  This is a fun activity to do with your toddler!

Enjoy!

 

UPDATE: My little one has been chowing down on the Pecan Pie Lara balls, so I wanted to create another flavor combo using Hazelnuts.  I came up with a recipe that I absolutely love, and so does my daughter: Chocolate Hazelnut. 

 

Here's what you need:

 

1/2 cup cashews

1/2 cup hazelnuts

1/4 cup cacao nibs

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup pitted dates

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

 

Here's what you do:

 

1. Blend dates in food processor or high speed blender until paste forms.  Remove and set date paste in bowl.

 

2.  Add cashews and hazelnuts to food processor, and blend until a coarse meal forms.  You want it to be a little chunky with no large pieces.  Then add cacao nibs and process further. (I like these in very tiny pieces because I still haven't adjusted to their bitter flavor.  Making sure they're small enough helps spread the flavor so you don't bite down into a bitter chunk!)

 

3.  Add to bowl with date paste. 

 

4.  Add unsweetened shredded coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla.Stir until everything is well combined and "wet".

 

5.  Roll into ball size and refrigerate.  (I made 80 balls)

 

Nutrition Info per Ball:

Calories: 31

Fat: 2.6 g

Saturated Fat: 1.3 g (due to coconut)

Protein: 0.7 g

Carbohydrates: 2 g

Fiber: 0.9 g

Sugar: 0.8 g

Sodium: 0.6 mg

 



To find more whole food, plant based recipes for your little one and connect with other loving parents, visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

What's the deal with Kale?

Kale has been grown for over 2,000 years, but has only recently made it's way into mainstream society as a super food.  Here are the top ten reasons to add kale to your family's meals:

1. Powerful Antioxidants:  Recent research shows at least 45 different antioxidant flavonoids are provided in measurable amounts of kale.  Without proper antioxidants, the human body experiences a metabolic problem called "oxidative stress" which is a precursor to many health problems, including cancer.  To read more, click here. 

 

2.  High in Calcium:  A recent study compared the absorption of calcium from kale with the absorption from milk, revealing absorption of calcium from kale to be 40.9% compared with 32.1% from milk. (1 Heaney RP, Weaver CM. Calcium absorption from kale. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 51:656-657.)  Calcium is needed along with Vitamin D in order to promote and maintain bone health. 

 

3.  High in Vitamin A:  Contains carotenoids, which plays a role in cell development and aids in immunity.  It is great for vision, skin, and also helps to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.

 

4.  High in Vitamin C:  This vitamin plays a major role in immunization towards sickness and infectious diseases.  Other benefits include protection against cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.

 

5.  High in Vitamin K:   Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers.  It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and the prevention of blood clotting.  Increased levels of Vitamin K can also help people suffering from Alzheimer's, and it improves insulin sensitivity.

 

6.  High in Iron: Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef.  Iron plays a critical role in the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the boys, cell growth, and proper liver function.

 

7.  Anti-Inflammatory:  Inflammation is the number one cause of arthritis, heart disease, autoimmune disease, and is triggered by animal products.  Kale can prevent and even reverse these illnesses.

 

8.  Omega Fatty Acids: One serving of kale contains 121 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids and 92.4 mg of Omega-6 fatty acids, which are used in the formation of cell walls and assist in improving circulation and oxygen uptake.

 

9.  High in Fiber.  Fiber is important in aiding digestions and elimination.

 

10.  Nutrient Dense per Calorie.  One cup of kale contains 33 calories, zero fat, and 2 grams of protein. 

 

If you are not a huge fan of raw kale, add it to just about any recipe.  Also, by using only the leaves, you loose much of its bitter flavor, yet none of the benefits.  Below are some of my favorite ways to use kale for my whole family.

 

Smoothie: Add 60% kale to 40% fruit, and use coconut water if more liquid is necessary. 

I like to use frozen fruit (and sometimes I will freeze fresh kale if I can't use

it fast enough - it freezes perfectly) to create a cold, thick smoothie.

 

 

 Twiced Baked or Mashed Potatoes: Blend a few cups (depending on serving size)

with garlic, and plant milk, then add to potatoes. 

A great and fun treat for Christmas and Saint Patrick's Day green meals!

 

 

 

 Pesto: Use kale instead, or in combination with spinach.

 

 

 

 

Taco "Meat": Add chopped kale to any taco "meat". 
Here is one of my favorites from Fat Free Vegan, Quinoa and Kale taco filling

 

 

 

Pancakes or Waffles: Mix pureed kale with any pancake or waffle batter. My recipe, Loving Green Pancakes, is perfect for babies and toddlers, and kale can be used instead of spinach.

 

 

  

Oven Roasted Veggies: Add chopped kale to whatever veggies you have

and throw in the oven with garlic and spices.

 

 

 

 Connect with us on Facebook at Loving Green FB to join in the conversation

of feeding your little ones healthy, whole foods!

 

 

 

 



 



What's in your yogurt?

I'm going to keep this short and sweet.  Well, you may not think it's sweet once you get through reading, but I promise that's my intent!

It's so important to read your food labels, and if there is something you don't understand or is disguised as "natural", be weary and investigate further. 

Before I cut out all animal product and processed foods from my diet, I used to add Greek yogurt to my smoothie every morning. I was an ingredient reader then, but I assumed (I know, I know) that "natural flavors", were safe.   

Wrong.  In my blog about My Vegan Journey I talk about why I switched to a whole foods, plant based diet.  But there were still some things I was completely unaware of, and haven't fully researched until now.  And I'm still learning!

Yogurt is considered in our society to be an optimal snack for children and adults. But what is really lurking in your yogurt? 

I'm going to review one of the most common yogurt brands, Dannon, and one of their popular "Light & Fit" Non Fat Blueberry Greek Yogurt: 


Fructose: A cheap synthetically made sugar that doesn't react properly in the brain to signal a "full feeling."  Instead, you crave and eat more.

Natural Flavor: MSG, as well as a lengthy list of disgusting ingredients.  Castoreum is a popular ingredient that companies may simply list as "Natural Flavoring".  It is used in most vanilla and raspberry flavored processed foods, and is beaver anal gland juice.  To read more about Castoreum, click here.

Carmine:  Insects.  Yes, you read correctly!  It's a "natural" food coloring created by boiling the cochineal bug, which is a beetle.  Many companies will instead list this as "Natural Colorings", and is perfectly legal according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace K): A potassium salt containing methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.  Reported side effects of "sweet devil" Ace-K include, "Long term exposure to methylene chloride can cause nausea, headaches, mood problems, impairment of the liver and kidneys, problems with eyesight and possibly cancer. It may also contribute to hypoglycemia." (Natural News)

Our food has drastically changed over the last 40 years; no longer whole, and real as it once was.  We've become a society that is all about quick, cheap, and easy, and because of this, many hidden toxins are added to our food system.  We have been targeted and brainwashed as consumers to buy and eat certain products by marketing companies, which all leads back to the bottom line: money. 

I'm not a nutritionist nor M.D., just a concerned citizen and parent who wants my child to grow up eating real food.  I'm not promoting any one way to eat.  Like I always say, everyone needs to find their own balance and what works for their family. I only encourage you to be aware, read your labels, research, and make changes that work for you.

To discuss more about whole foods, as well as the many challenges of parenting,

visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB

The Wonderful World of Teething

Nya didn't get her first tooth until a week  before she turned one.  She began the teething process around three months, and I was sure she would be getting her first around the time she was five or six months.  But that didn't happen.  The incessant drooling and need for objects in her mouth lasted for a solid 5 months, and slowly tapered away, without a tooth in sight.

Every now and then the teething symptoms would appear heightened and I would think, "She has got to be getting a tooth this time."  But it was always to no avail.  

When she was just over eleven months, while bathing her one night, I saw six pops of white teeth just waiting to break through.  6!  Yet the next day they were all gone, and just the teething symptoms remained.  You've got to be kidding me?  I thought this was torture for my poor baby (and myself!) and just wanted those suckers to poke through already.  Finally, just before her first birthday, her very first tooth popped through.  And it was a top one.  Go figure.

Her behavior was noticeably different, understandably so, yet wasn't exactly what I was preparing myself for.  While I did think it could be her teeth getting ready to pop, I had been wrong before.  Within a week of getting her first tooth, 3 more broke through, and then two more after that. 

The first one was the hardest.  I don't know if it actually was tougher for Nya, or if it just seemed that way because I wasn't ready for it like I was the others.  After the first tooth, I was able to recognize the change in her behavior due to teething, and I allowed certain things that I wouldn't otherwise.

About three days before her first tooth actually popped through, she was sleeping an extra 1 - 2 hours at night (averaging 13 - 14 hours), and became very clingy to me during the day. I had to be around her most of the day, and she would fuss if I wasn't.  The afternoons were the hardest.  I think she must have been tired from battling the discomfort all day and she flat out cried if I wasn't holding her. Falling asleep was also a little more challenging and it took her about fifteen minutes to finally get there.  And her usually hearty appetite had drastically declined; instead she wanted milk or just to nurse.

In our family we always seek out natural remedies for healing.  Pain and discomfort are your body's way of letting you know something within is out of balance.  Medication, even if over the counter, just masks the symptoms, and does not actually solve the problem.  But can instead create additional ones.  Now I understand teething is a little different, and no one wants to see their baby in pain.  We have Hyland's teething tablets (a natural homeopathic) on hand for dire situations.  But for the most part, Nya toughs it out.  Here are some things that help her get through the discomfort associated with teething:

Raw cold carrot (the largest I can find, washed and peeled)
Raw cold sweet potato wedge (washed, thick, peeled)
Popsicles (Made from berries, kale, spinach, flax, chia, and coconut water) - She loves these!
Yonanas Ice Cream
Wet washcloth
Bottle Nipple
Nursing
Extra holding and comfort
Distraction - playing and showing her new things during the day to keep her mind off teething pain
Pure Lavender and Chamomile Essential Oils - I will put a couple drops of these in her crib for the nights that are more difficult



Enjoying her popsicle

Since teething only lasts a couple days for Nya, I give in to these methods first, and will gladly give her a bottle of milk (I know most people will say she should been weaned from a bottle by 12 months...She only gets them during this time because I would rather her have a bottle than medication).  And I absolutely hold her in the afternoons, which may be difficult for working parents who don't have the option. 

Here are additional links to natural remedies for teething pain:

http://www.naturalnews.com/030829_teething_natural_remedies.html

 

http://www.teethingtots.com/ 

Teething is a very uncomfortable time for baby, and can be particularly stressful for the caregiver as well.  Paying close attention to changes in your baby's behavior can help make teething time a little more manageable.  Please note, I am not a doctor nor expert in this matter.  I'm simply sharing  Nya's journey with you and what has helped her through.  Every baby is different, so find what works for yours!  And please feel free to share any natural remedies you've discovered that have helped!

To connect with others and share in all the joys, struggles, and adventures of parenting, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.