A handful of my friends are currently sick with Delta, and many more are stuck in quarantine from an exposure. Omicron is all over the news and it now seems almost certain that this variant is both more contagious and better at evading existing immunity than any strain we’ve seen thus far.

It’s easy to despair, or if you’re prone to anxiety like I am, spin out with worries about the future. For me, focusing on the facts and taking action to the degree that I am able helps calm me down.

I hope this post may make you feel a little saner! Let’s get to it.

What does a “more contagious” variant mean in terms of our day-to-day?

Every time a variant comes along that is “more contagious,” I struggle to understand what that means, and how we should adjust our behavior to reduce our risk of contracting Covid. Do I need to wash my hands even MORE? Can I now get or spread Covid even if I am six feet away from the nearest person?

According to my mother-in-law, Dr. Sixsmith, MD, and my husband (a molecular embryologist who understands immunology), Omicron—and Delta, for that matter—being “more transmissible” doesn’t mean that masks/distancing/hand-washing no longer work as mitigation strategies.

Both doctors said the six feet rule should still hold true—a more contagious virus can’t suddenly float two blocks away and infect someone. I asked my husband about the possibility of Omicron hanging around in the air or on surfaces for longer, and he said: “I wouldn’t anticipate that the point mutations in the spike protein would affect the ability of the virus to survive outside of a host.”

Both Dr. Sixsmith and Dr. James did say it probably takes a smaller viral load to lead to infection, so the old 15-minute rule may not apply with Omicron—you can probably get a disease-causing dose of viral particles in less time than that. Dr. Sixsmith also suggested making sure masks are very well-fitted (or double-masking) since it may take fewer viral particles getting in through the gaps to make you sick.

Hand sanitizers will still kill the newer variants, so there is no need to change anything with this habit.

What about Omicron’s severity?

Perhaps the best news so far about Omicron is that it really seems like it’s less severe than the other versions of Covid we’ve been dealing with for two years. I know we can’t be sure of this yet, but I’m reading everything I can find, and signs are sure pointing that way.

Am I the only one who keeps thinking there could be a huge silver lining to the emergence of this variant? If Omicron proves to be the fittest Covid strain in circulation, it could overtake Delta—and if it also causes milder disease, then even with some immune system evasion, aren’t we all better off? I don’t know who I am and what I did with the normal doom-and-gloom Maia, but I’m feeling weirdly optimistic that this may come to pass. (Knocks wood repeatedly and does the “pu pu pu” spitting thing despite not being Jewish.)

In any case, whether you’re worried about Omicron, Delta, or just getting a cold, here is what I’m doing with the hopes of keeping Covid and other viruses away this winter:

1) We take a few supplements.

I’m not a huge vitamin person, but the winter is a time when I add some to our routine, including elderberry syrup or an elderberry gummy,  vitamin D, and a probiotic. I drizzle Olea True high-phenol olive oil on as many meals as I can. When we do get colds, I focus on the remedies that really work to make us feel better.

2) We are all vaccinated against Covid.

This has been a hugely controversial stance to take, but I believe vaccination is worth it when it comes to Covid-19. You can read more about why here, here, here, here, and here.

3) We wash hands, use sanitizer, and wipe down high-touch surfaces with non-toxic antiseptics.

If you need help finding an effective, toxin-free hand sanitizer, we’ve got a Guide for that. If you’re worried about the toxic antimicrobial products your kids are exposed to due to “enhanced cleaning protocols” in school, you might ask them to consider using this.

4) We (try to) keep stress levels low.

This is easier said than done amidst our second pandemic holiday season. Nevertheless, I try to prioritize sleep, fitness, and self-care to keep my stress levels lower. You might also consider this THC-free gummy.

5) We (try to) keep our diet healthful(ish).

It’s an ongoing battle, and we often slip into a takeout habit, but this time of year I try to balance the inevitable holiday junk with at least one nutrient-rich meal or even snack a day. This can be in the form of kale chips (not always homemade), sauerkraut, or smoothies when I am pressed for time. I’ve also made getting healthful meals into myself easier by relying on Sakara and Provenance, and for family dinners with Sun Basket. Finally, I have cut back on alcohol (I’m averaging about 3 or 4 drinks a week which is easily half of my norm), and basically only drink this.

6) We run our air filter.

We have three Austin air filters in our home. These use true medical grade HEPA that removes 95% of all particles larger than 0.1 microns (the coronavirus that causes Covid is .125 microns). In addition, breathing cleaner air will keep our lungs in better shape when fighting any kind of respiratory infection.

7) We are still distancing (sort of), masking indoors (mostly), and taking Covid tests (often). 

While our daily routine now much more closely resembles our pre-pandemic life (I attend in-person fitness classes, we indoor dine, etc), this is largely due to our like-minded community. Here in New York City, vaccination is required to enter restaurants, gyms, Broadway shows, and more, and I noted today that there wasn’t a single unmasked person in my neighborhood’s crowded Trader Joe’s.

We took rapid Covid tests before Thanksgiving, and will do so again before a Christmas party this weekend. We keep indoor gatherings small, and when my mom is around we still tend to keep most things outdoors (above, a photo she took of me this weekend when we were out to dinner).

My brother lives in Pennsylvania, and when I recently visited him I was aware of how much less comfortable I felt in a place where people are largely unmasked and vaccines mandates are nonexistent.

Despite all of the above strategies, I often feel like catching Covid is inevitable. One by one, it seems to be getting to everyone I know. My hope is that by being vaccinated and otherwise fairly healthy, we will be only mildly ill if/when our turn comes!

I would love to know your thoughts on Omicron and winter wellness in general; please comment below.

Stay sane,

The post Staying Healthy for the Holidays…And Thoughts on Omicron appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Do you use herbal or homeopathic remedies to treat illness in your house? Or maybe you wonder what the difference is between herbal medicines and homeopathic ones.

What follows is my best attempt at an admittedly oversimplified explanation of each–plus which one I believe works.

Does Herbal Medicine Work?

I’ll start with the easy one: Herbal medicine is basically exactly what it sounds like–i.e., using plants to treat illness.

Of course, many drugs are derived from plants: aspirin comes from Willow bark, for instance. Herbs can be powerful in ways both good and bad (hello, poison ivy!), so I very much believe their ability to impact health.

For instance, studies show that elderberry can decrease the duration of the influenza virus by four days and cold viruses by even more.

Does Homeopathy Work?

Homeopathic remedies are derived from herbs as well, but they differ greatly from herbal remedies. A homeopathic remedy is made by taking an herbal ingredient and diluting it hundreds or even thousands of times—to the point that there are literally ZERO remaining molecules of the original ingredient in the final product

Homeopathy’s basic claim is that the more times you dilute a medicinal ingredient, the more powerful it becomes. Although this theory doesn’t seem logical, I would be happy to spend money on homeopathic medicines if I could find studies showing they are safe and effective. After all, it’s basically impossible to overdose–homeopathic remedies are essentially water (or sugar pills) with what homeopathic doctors consider to be the “energy” of the medicinal herb rather than the herb itself.

Unfortunately, my research hasn’t uncovered any studies that suggest true homeopathic remedies work better than placebo. (I say “true homeopathic remedies” because the term “homeopathic” is often used as a marketing term for medicines that aren’t really homeopathic.) Unsurprisingly, it seems that when you dilute an ingredient thousands of times, it no longer is strong enough to have any effect–good or bad.

Does Arnica Work?

Arnica is probably the most widely studied homeopathic remedy out there. There is good evidence that the arnica plant itself has anti-inflammatory properties, but homeopathic arnica preparations have not been shown to be perform better than placebo. After intense facial treatments (you know I love my laser facials!), my facialist applies a homeopathic arnica cream to my skin, and I really feel like it reduces pain and swelling. Perhaps any cool gel would reduce inflammation, or perhaps there is enough arnica herb in the formula my facialist uses to really make a difference! Either way, I request it every time I see her.

My Favorite Herbal Medicines

In addition to arnica cream, there are several other “homeopathic” herbal remedies that I use—like Umcka. The herb used in this case is Pelargonium sidoides, which has been shown to reduce the length of upper respiratory infections if given early in the course of an illness. The “1X” next to the name means it’s been diluted one time—in other words there is 1 part herb to 10 parts water. Paradoxically, this would make this too “weak” to really be homeopathic; it’s simply an herbal remedy. I assume that it says “homeopathic” on the for marketing purposes only.

You can read about other herbal remedies we swear by here.

Bottom Line on Homeopathy and Herbal Remedies

Based on my research, as well as on my own experimentation with various herbal remedies and homeopathy, this is my conclusion: Herbal medicine can be super effective, but truly homeopathic remedies are likely too diluted to offer any benefits.

When I wrote my weekly email to this end, a lot of you replied saying you haven’t ever found homeopathic remedies to be effective. But not everyone agreed, and I got dozens of replies touting the benefits of homeopathy. I think some of your responses are worth sharing,:

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1. Vaccines

You’ve probably heard about the rudimentary way that we figured out how to inoculate people against smallpox–by scraping pus from a milkmaid’s cowpox blisters and then inserting it under the skin of an unaffected individual. (Cowpox was a much milder illness, but still conferred immunity to deadly smallpox). From there, we discovered increasingly sophisticated ways to vaccinate against more than a dozen illnesses. Vaccines are something that I’ve agonized over since I became a parent–there are now so many of them, and some of them are for diseases that are almost never serious in the developed world (like rotavirus or varicella). Felix is turning twelve in a few months, and his school requires a Covid-19 shot. Yes, I will get him vaccinated, and no, I’m not super psyched about doing it! Bottom line: We can’t overstate the number of lives saved worldwide because of the discovery of vaccines, although one could argue that the current vaccination schedule borders on “too much of a good thing.”

2. Pasteurization

Listeria, tuberculosis, diptheria, and typhoid can all pass through raw milk, and this was a common cause of infant death before the widespread pasteurization of milk. (It’s worth noting that none of these microbes are passed through human milk–so this problem could have been largely avoided if more women had exclusively breastfed their infants). I don’t personally buy raw milk because we aren’t big milk drinkers and I don’t have access to a farm that I trust, but I do believe in the nutritional benefits of raw milk. Still, it’s worth remembering that the genesis of “processed” milk wasn’t a money-making ploy from Big Dairy, but rather a legitimately life-saving discovery. Obviously, there are myriad problems with industrial agriculture, from the inhumane treatment of animals to the environmental impacts to the hormone-laden/pesticide-ridden milk that comes out of factory farms. BUT, I am still grateful for Louis Pasteur!

3. Chlorination

Before municipalities started adding chlorine to the water supply (in around 1912), fatal typhoid and cholera spread through contaminated drinking water. I am a firm believer that we should all filter our drinking water (and that we shouldn’t drink any amount of chlorine). But once again, it’s good to be reminded that worrying about chlorine is far better than worrying about cholera!

4. Antibiotics

Penicillin was (accidentally) discovered in 1945, and practically eliminated deaths from bacterial diseases like tuberculosis. We take for granted that you won’t die from a scratch or lose an eye to a “mild” infection, but this used to be a totally common occurrence. Antibiotics also have a HUGE downside, and I believe they are wildly over-prescribed. Like so many other medical interventions, antibiotics are used too often when they are not needed, but thank God they exist when they are needed.

I’m sure there are other reasons that life expectancy has increased so dramatically this century–seat belts, lower smoking rates, pap smears, HIV treatments, skiing helmets! (And probably C-sections, too–this is another example of “often unnecessary and not without a downside, but thank God available when necessary.”)

It’s unearned good fortune that allows me to exert energy making sure my pans are the right kind of non-stick and that my rug gripper is made of real rubber instead of vinyl. Were I alive in a different time, place, or socioeconomic class, I would likely be facing much more immediate risks.

Modern lifestyles are rife with dangerous toxins and subsequent health risks. Nevertheless, I am thrilled that I was born after the invention of antibiotics, vaccines, chlorinated water, pasteurized milk, and many of the other man-made toxins!

I look forward to your comments on this–what other discoveries or medical interventions do you worry about but also feel grateful for?

Stay sane,

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1. Joov / 2. Mito / 3. Rouge / 4. iRestore / 5. Gemba

By John Goss

With research provided by Michael Hopkins, PhD.

The term red light therapy (RLT) has caught our attention several times over the last five years or so. According to those championing this treatment, just a few minutes a day under the cool glow of red or near-infrared light can cure almost every type of ailment, while also reversing the signs of aging. Red light devices are now available over the counter, so you can buy your own machine e for home use, saving thousands on expensive spa treatments. 

Doesn’t this all seems too good to be true? We decided to find out. 

The purpose of this report is to attempt to answer the two big questions we had about red light therapy: 

1. Does red light therapy actually provide a benefit, and if so, what is it? 
2. Is red light therapy truly safe, without possible negative side effects?

As always, our goal is to answer these questions based on the actual scientific evidence available, rather than simply parroting the dozens of other websites who have already published guides and reviews of RLT. 

Graham, my son and Maia’s brother, tries out a red light device from Mito.

Our Initial Discoveries About Red Light Therapy

I was surprised to discover—when I did an initial dig about red light therapy–that the claims nearly every miraculous benefit appear to be backed up with compelling science.

Still, I’m not a scientist, so I called upon someone who is–Dr. Michael Hopkins, PhD. Dr. Hopkins is a natural skeptic and also so thorough in his research that the report he submitted to us about RLT was literally dozens of pages long. 

The bottom line: After scrutinizing hundreds of pages of data, Dr. Hopkins concluded that there are definitely well-researched and scientifically demonstrable benefits to RLT. But as usual, it is important that the type of equipment used is independently tested and certified. 

So, let’s get into the nitty gritty to help you understand what this therapy can (and cannot) do, how to use it safely, and how to choose the right device. 

Dr. Hopkins now uses his own red light therapy device for 10-20 minutes several times a day. He’s seen an improvement in skin tone and wrinkles. The unit he uses is the Mito Original Series Mid sized.

What is Red Light Therapy? 

The essential idea behind RLT is that by exposing our skin to very specific wavelengths and intensities of light, we can stimulate cells into functioning at a superior level. 

Usually called photobiomodulation (PBM), red light therapy was invented in the 1960s, and simply put, refers to the application of light energy to treat a variety of skin and soft tissue conditions. 

Over the decades, PBM suffered from inconsistent terminology, so you may also see it referred to as Low Level Light Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy, or Cool/Cold Laser Therapy. Dr. Hopkins suggested that we only refer to it as PBM in this report, but since most commercial models are called red lights, we are going to stick with red light therapy or RLT from here on out. 

Nerding Out: How Red Light Therapy Works

(Feel free to skip this part if you find your eyes glazing over.)

At the most basic level, RLT acts by inducing a photochemical reaction into molecules in our cells that are called chromophores. When a photon of light is absorbed by a chromophore, an electron in the chromophore can become excited and jump from a low-energy orbit to a higher-energy orbit. The stored energy from the excited electron can then be used by the system to perform various cellular tasks. Dr. Hopkins adds: “This is actually not such a strange concept; think about the rods and cones in our retinas converting light to neural signals—that’s how we see!” 

Anyway, one such chromophore is called Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO), which is very responsive to specific wavelengths of light in the red and near infrared (NIR) spectrum. When CCO is activated in the mitochondria in our cells, it causes them to produce more energy, allowing them to undergo self-repair and wound healing.

The direct effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels, thereby inducing the activation of numerous intracellular signaling pathways. These signaling pathways lead to activation of a wide range of transcription factors, which are known to improve cell survival, cell proliferation, tissue repair and regeneration.

Is Red Light Therapy Safe? 

The short answer is, yes, RLT is entirely safe. 

To be clear: we are not referring to the use of lasers when discussing the safety of RLT, nor are we including infrared (heat) treatments. We have not done enough research to give any opinion about the use of low level lasers at home, and there are safety concerns with the use of infrared (aka heating) pads, including a significant potential for burns.  

So, to repeat: our comments on safety and efficacy refer only to therapy that’s administered via light emitting diodes, aka LEDs, which emit non-coherent or asynchronous light. 

Dr. Hopkins say this: “I can say without reservation that RLT using red and NIR LED lights from a commercially available, trustworthy manufacturer appears to be completely safe.”

Does Red Light Therapy Work? 

The short answer again is yes, but the question we should actually be asking is: “What does RLT treat, and what kind of results can I expect?”

Depending where you look, you will find claims that RLT is a veritable panacea, with benefits ranging from skin health (wrinkles, elasticity/collagen production, hyper-pigmentation, rosacea/acne, psoriasis) to wound healing, arthritis/joint pain treatment, hair regrowth, eyesight improvement, and even improvements in brain activity and mental health conditions, such as PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury. 

The reality is that there are data to back up virtually all of these claims. After a rigorous review of the literature, we believe that RLT actually may indeed be an effective treatment for most, if not all, of these conditions. 

Still, there are several important questions we considered when coming up with our recommendations for specific red light devices, including:

• What are the parameters necessary to achieve real results in a clinical or laboratory setting, versus what you can achieve with a consumer device in your home?
• How important are individual differences between users themselves (including skin tone)?

When it comes to RLT, the data suggest that the beneficial effects often correspond to the degree to which there is some sort of damage or insult to the tissue in the first place. In other words, you’re more likely to see a dramatic improvement in skin elasticity or wrinkle reduction in skin that is already sagging and has wrinkles, versus young skin with only some minor fine lines. 

As long as we approach RLT with the understanding that results will vary and that you’re more likely to get dramatic results if your goal is to treat damage or injury, Dr. Hopkins enthusiastically recommends that you try RLT. (Since researching this article, he now uses his device from Mito every day.)

Red Light Therapy=Exercise

Dr. Hopkins encouraged us to think about RLT in much the same way that we view moderate cardiovascular exercise: we know that exercise benefits us in countless ways, all of which have been well-documented in controlled scientific studies. We also know that we aren’t damaging ourselves by engaging in moderate cardio. Finally, we’ve accepted that the precise parameters around how much is optimal in order to achieve a specific benefit is largely uncertain and varies a great deal from person to person. 

While this analogy to physical fitness may sound anticlimactic or disappointing, Dr. Hopkins provided three reasons why he feels it’s actually remarkable: 

1. First, RLT is easy–much easier than working out!—as long as you have the financial means to purchase a quality device. 
2. There are tons of studies demonstrating effective RLT treatments in the laboratory. Therefore, you can model your dosage/regimen after a successful research investigation and be reasonably confident that you will get positive results. 
3. Even if you don’t experience specific results to the extent that you were hoping, RLT has the potential to provide many different benefits. You’ll probably notice some other unexpected improvements—just like you will if you start a fitness regimen.  

What Does Red Light Therapy Treat?

So, we’ve established that RLT is safe and that it is beneficial in a range of ways. 

We asked Dr. Hopkins to separate legitimate uses of RLT from the false claims. Fortunately, he found many medical and cosmetic conditions for which there is sufficient scientific evidence to endorse RLT as a treatment. 

In some cases, Dr. Hopkins even found enough information about appropriate dosage and treatment parameters to provide specific instructions for use. More on this below. 

Here is a non-exhaustive list of what RLT can is purported to treat:

• Wrinkles and elasticity/collagen production
• Cellulite
• Hyper-pigmentation
• Rosacea and psoriasis
• Acne
• Wound healing,
• Arthritis
• Muscle strength
• Gum health
• Hair regrowth
• Eyesight
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Anxiety
• Immune system boost
• PTSD
• Depression
• Traumatic brain injury
• Cancer
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Neuropathy 

This list smacks of too-good-to-be-true, but the reality is that at minimum there are some data to back up most of these claims; many of these conditions actually have a wealth of scientific support. 

The big challenge is defining the parameters necessary to achieve these results in a clinical or laboratory setting versus what you can achieve with a consumer device in your home.  

Until we have controlled studies comparing dosages in order to define optimal parameters, there is simply no way to guarantee specific results for most of these conditions. 

This may seem like bad news for those seeking a guarantee of 20 years off their skin with a home RLT device. But Dr. Hopkins says that RLT “can safely be used for many conditions, and users can replicate the dosage from published studies to optimize their own results with an expectation of improvement and no risk of harm.”

Dr. Hopkins’ bottom line is that superficial skin issues such as wrinkles, discoloration, rashes/eczema, bruising, scabs/scars/scrapes, fine lines/wrinkles and elasticity, as well as muscle and joint pain are good candidates for at-home RLT machines. Deeper tissue effects (e.g., anything brain-related such as PTSD, Alzheimers, etc.) would be smaller simply due to the fact that OTC machines are necessarily quite weak compared to the lasers often used in clinical trials.  

At the end of this post you’ll find Dr. Hopkin’s instructions on how to use red light therapy devices for various conditions.  

NEW! Red Light Clothing

Here’s something cool: Lumiton clothing is made of a technology that turns sunlight into red and near-infrared light. Use code GIMME5 for 5% off everything on their site.

How Do I Find a Red Light That Works?

As with many health and wellness trends, the excitement over all the (legitimate) health benefits along with the relative safety has led to an explosion of RLT devices on the market for at-home use. 

There are manufacturers that are doing things correctly and have all of their products tested in reliable independent testing facilities. But there are a lot more companies trying to grab some of the profits in this trendy market by making wild claims that are not (yet) backed by research. Many companies also have no credible test results. 

The essential criteria in order to determine whether a RLT device qualifies as Good Stuff include:

• the specific wavelengths of light that are used
• the illuminance (also known as power density) of the device
• the electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced
• the amount of flicker produced by the device (these last two should be as close to zero as possible). 

Finally, Dr. Hopkins evaluated the credibility of the manufacturer, which will depend on several factors including transparency of specs and communication, FDA approval/clearance, and independent testing/validation by a third-party. 

 What about Blue/Green/Amber Light?

Acne seems to be the one skin condition that specifically responds better to blue light than red. This is thought to be due to the antimicrobial/sterilizing properties of blue light. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) also is likely better helped by blue, green, and yellow light than it is by red light. Unfortunately, blue light is that it can also damage the skin, and may disrupt circadian processes, damage retinal cells, and more. For this reason we don’t recommend using blue light at home.

What Makes a Red Light Good Stuff? 

What follows are what Dr. Hopkins considered when deciding which of the many brands of red lights would qualify as Good Stuff. 

Energy Output: Illuminance & Radiant Exposure

One of the most important factors in deciding on a red light therapy device is the energy output. The first thing to understand here is that the “strength” of your LED device is measured in mW/cm2, which is also called “illuminance” or “power density.”

To calculate the dose, you take the illuminance and multiply it by the number of seconds of exposure to your skin. One watt is the same as one Joule per second, so you might see a light therapy device reporting Joules/cm2 rather than milliwatts (mW)—this refers to the total radiant exposure from that device.

Here’s an example: Suppose you have a red light device with a measured illuminance of 50mW/cm2 at a distance of 6 inches. If hold this device 6 inches from your face for 60 seconds, you receive .05 Watts of energy per square centimeter (50mW/1000 = .05W), times 60 seconds of treatment time (.05 X 60), for a total of 3 Joules per cm2. 

Based on the studies that Dr. Hopkins read, the range of effective treatments is typically reported from around 10mW/cm2 to 200mW/cm2, with each dose ranging from about 1Joule/cm2 to 50joules/cm2.  

So how frequently and for how long you should expect to continue treatment in order to see results? While results will vary depending on the condition being treated, most data suggest that you’ll want to use an at-home device on affected areas several times a week for at least a month.  

The Trouble with Measuring Illuminance

Dr. Hopkins found that the “industry standard” for measuring illuminance is flawed. His explanation about the flaws are a page long, so I won’t post it all here, but the basic problem is that widely-available Solar Power Meters are designed to measure the power density of white light. Because they absorb across a broad range of wavelengths occurring naturally in sunlight, there a large differences in sensitivity for different wavelengths. 

Red light devices sold to consumers will have artificially inflated illuminance data because they are being measured with a Solar Power Meter rather than a Laser Power Meter (the latter being prohibitively expensive). The bottom line here is that you always want to look for brands that report third-party testing from an independent laboratory. Alternatively, if a brand explicitly states that they have corrected this industry-wide issue to report accurate power density levels, we would consider this brand potential Good Stuff. 

The Most Effective Wavelengths

Dr. Hopkins found that the wavelengths known to produce benefits are 630, 650 (visible red light), 830, and 850 (near infrared).

Visible red seems to be effective in activating cellular energy, detoxifying cells, and building new arteries. Generally, red 630 has been tested more for skin-tone (collagen and elastin) while 660 may better influence ATP production.

The optimal therapeutic window for red light therapy is between 600 and 1100nM (Rojas & Lima 2011). This is because light below 600nm wavelength does not generally penetrate living tissue, and light above 1100nm wavelength (infrared) is rapidly absorbed by water. 

It’s also worth nothing that near-infrared light (NIR) penetrates even more deeply into the tissue than does red light, and thus more effective at treating conditions below the skin—such as joint pain in the back, neck, and hip joints (where the synovia are deeper), traumatic brain injury, or any other conditions that go below skin deep. 

Bottom line: When choosing your RLT machine, try to get one that matches the biologically active frequencies listed above within +/-15nm. If the frequencies are not matched, Dr. Hopkins recommend a device with a greater distribution of frequencies, rather than just one for red and one for NIR.   

 Red Light Therapy for Different Skin Tones

The FDA approval for over-the-counter red light therapy devices is limited to people with light skin tones. This means that, in general, the lighter your skin is, the more effective RLT will be for you because the light can penetrate deeper in skin with less melanin. Melanin will absorb a considerable amount of the light before it can reach deeper cells.

How Much is Enough? Determining the Correct Dosage

RLT, like the vast majority of naturally occurring phenomena that exert biological effects, follows a hormetic arc of efficacy. Hormesis refers to dose-response processes in which a low dose can produce the opposite effect of a high dose. In other words, there is a dose range that will produce positive outcomes up to a certain level, at which point increasing the dose further will not continue to be beneficial but rather, will be harmful (examples of this: heat, salt, oxygen, stress, etc.).  

The big trouble with RLT is that the optimal parameters have not been established. That said, there is a very large range of light intensities that have been shown to be effective for a wide variety of conditions. The data all suggest that the threshold for shifting from benefit to harm is higher than any at-home light therapy device will be able to achieve when used as intended. In other words, the more powerful, the better–and you do not have to worry about it being too strong. 

The best RLT devices available for at-home use will achieve an illuminance of at least 50mW/cm2 at an appropriate distance for use– usually at 6 to 12 inches away. If you opt for a flexible, form-fitting sheet like the Celluma Pro or a helmet like the iRestore the illuminance may be lower because the item is coming in contact directly with your skin.  

Effective dosages range anywhere from 1Joule/cm2 up to around 150 Joules/cm2. The majority of studies demonstrating positive effects cluster around 10-100 Joules. One study looking at RLT to improve runners’ performance found that a single treatment of 30 Joules was more effective than either 15 or 60 Joules (Dellagrana et al., 2018). 

FDA 510 Clearance

In order to get FDA approval, a product must provide some kind of health benefit or treat a specific condition, and the benefits of the product must outweigh any risks associated with using it.

This process involves substantial safety and efficacy data by way of peer-reviewed studies and clinical trials; is very time consuming and costs millions of dollars. There is a much faster and cheaper version, though, for low risk medical devices. This is called 510K Clearance, whereby companies must only prove that their device is equivalent in safety and function as a previously approved device with similar characteristics (called a “predicate device”).

This 510k Clearance process is important when it comes to RLT because new devices have to match the specs of approved predicate devices in order to be cleared. There are several different possible wavelengths that might be more or less effective for treating many different conditions, but this system encourages “copy cat” wavelengths and device styles, rather than novel and possibly more effective wavelengths or devices. Still, you of course want to make sure any red light therapy device you purchase has received FDA 510 Clearance.

Pulsed Versus Continuous Wave

You will find that several manufacturers proudly state that their device uses “pulsed” light. This is just marketing, and can be ignored if you’re using an OTC red light device. 

The only reason you’d want to use pulsed rather than continuous light energy is in the case of a laser or other extremely intense light. This is because pulsed light allows you to deliver a more powerful beam without damaging your skin by ensuring that the heat has time to dissipate between pulses. But this simply does not apply to red light therapy devices for home use. 

Can RLT Cure Covid-19?

Dr. Hopkins feels that there is great potential for red light therapy to help treat not only COVID-19 but any number of other potential pathogens. There are already clinical trials underway to explore the efficacy of such treatments . 

Dr. Hopkins concluded that it is “absolutely reasonable to suppose that PBM can and will be an effective adjunct/alternative treatment for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases as more research is conducted. It is not clear where at home LED devices will fall in terms of efficacy but it is safe to assume that the benefit would be greater than zero and certainly not harmful.” 

So let’s cut to the REAL bottom line: Which red light therapy lamps are Good Stuff and which are not? 

The Good Stuff

The Okay Stuff

The Sneaky Stuff

How to Use Your RLT Device

If you’ve purchased a device and want to know specifically how to use it, here are Dr. Hopkins’ recommendations. For all the conditions below, we’ve cited at least one clinical paper with specific data on dosage/treatment parameters, but please note that all of the conditions listed below are supported by multiple published clinical trials.  

Wound Healing

• Use 633nm light at 96J/cm2 dosage immediately after surgery, 48-hours later and 2 times the following week. (Studies shown that mean healing time was 13.5 days versus 26.8 days for untreated patients. Trelles & Allones 2006–taken from Ablon 2018 review.)
• Use 830nm at 55J/cm2 plus 633nm at 98J/cm2 following surgery and repeated at 72 hours and again 3 times more during the following week. (Studies found that exudation, crusting, pain, and edema resolved roughly 50% faster in the treated group. Trelles et al., 2006- taken from Ablon 2018 review. You can also see extensive review of in vitro and animal models by Abreau Chaves et al., 2014.)

Pain

• Use 810nm, 27 J/cm2 (12 sessions, with 20-minute treatments each time). When combined with physical exercise, this improved chronic lower back pain 12 weeks after treatments. (Djavid et al., 2007).    

Superficial Skin Appearance (age spots, wrinkles, smoothness, elasticity, etc.)

• 633nm (96 J/cm2) LED light administered as 20-minute treatments three times weekly for three weeks. In a study, this resulted in reduced wrinkles and fine lines as well as smoother skin as assessed by treatment-blind third party. (Bhat et al., 2005).
• Red light (611-650nM) resulted in significant improvement of skin as measured by complexion, feeling, roughness and collagen density as measured by ultrasound compared to controls. (Wunsch & Matuschka 2014).  

Psoriasis

• 830nm, 60J/cm2 and 633nm,126J/cm2 during two weekly 20-minute sessions for 4 to 5 weeks with two days between sessions. Researchers found 60% to 100% clearance of psoriasis in treated patients. (Ablon, 2010).

Hair (Re-)Growth 

• Double-blind control study (Lanzafame et al., 2013) found a very clear significant effect of red light (655+-20nM) on hair growth in men compared to placebo. 

Muscle Recovery Post Acute Exercise

• Single treatment of 630nm at total energy density of 24Joules/cm2 following arms workout significantly reduced muscle soreness, loss of strength,h and loss of range of motion up to 96 hours after muscle-damage-inducing eccentric work out in 17 healthy male volunteers. (Borges, L.S., Cerqueira, M.S., dos Santos Rocha, J.A. et al.)

Retinal Health (Eyesight)

• Researchers found the 670nm light had no impact in younger individuals, but in those around 40 years and over, significant improvements were obtained in both color contrast sensitivity as well as low light visual acuity.  (Shinhmar et al., 2020).

Stay sane!

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The post Red Light Therapy: Is It Safe and Effective? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

A few years ago, a private client of mine gave me the opportunity to look more closely at the best multivitamins.

She wanted to know if she should be taking a multivitamin, and if she should be giving one to her children. Of course, she also wanted to know which brands make the best multivitamins.

I shared my opinion with the Gimme readership back then, and now am pleased to be able to update you guys. What follows is even more research on multivitamins, plus a few supplements I do recommend, as well as suggestions for the best multivitamins if you decide to take one.

RELATED: Best Prenatal Vitamins

Should You or Your Kids Take a Multivitamin?

The best way to hit all nutritional checkpoints is by eating a diverse range of vibrantly-colored fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. This is hard to accomplish for a picky child, of course. Many nutrients are lost during the processing of the food most Americans eat.

For adults, there is no harm in taking a multivitamin, although it’s unclear if there is a huge benefit, either. In general, I recommend against giving a multivitamin to young children, but I think they cannot hurt for kids about six and older. You’ll read more about this below.

I do recommend that both children and adults take a vitamin D supplement. You should also consider a fish oil supplement or a multi that contains fish oil if you or your children don’t eat fish.

If you eat several servings of fish a week, you probably don’t need a fish oil supplement.

The Case for (and Against) Multivitamins

Science clearly shows that vitamins and minerals are important to overall health. Studies have also shown that the best way to get most nutrients is from our food.

There is some evidence to suggest that the quality of modern soil and agricultural practices are insufficient to produce food as rich in nutrients as the stuff that our ancient ancestors enjoyed. This makes sense.

Still, most researchers argue that isolating vitamins into pill form vastly reduces or even eliminates the benefits.

The theory that multivitamins and supplements can “fill gaps” in our dietary intake of vitamins and minerals also makes sense. And yet most studies have been unable to find any actual health benefits when compared to placebo or non-use.

Despite this lack of clear benefit, many doctors recommend the use of a daily multivitamin, and I don’t think there is much harm in “covering your bases” by taking one.

I haven’t come across strong evidence that taking vitamins has any major downsides for adults, but there are a few worrisome studies I’ve found that don’t apply to most people, but are still worth mentioning:

1. Smokers who take beta carotene have increased risks of lung cancer. 
2. Folic acid may increase prostate cancer risk.
3. Adults who take large doses of B vitamins for many years may have increased incidence of hip fracture.

Overdosing on Vitamins

You can take toxic doses of vitamins—in particular preformed vitamin A, E, and K. Look for supplements with no more than 100% of your daily value for these. 

Excessive doses of vitamin C have also been shown to increase the risk of kidney stones. Most of us get plenty of vitamin C in our diets, so it’s not one that you need much of in a supplement.

What are the Best Multivitamins for Adults?

If you are trying to get nutrients from a pill, it makes sense to get a food-based pill. The less we try to break down vitamins/minerals to the sum of their parts, the more bio-available all the nutrients will be.

There are two brands I like if you choose to take a multivitamin–or if your doctor recommends one.

Ritual Essential for Women

Ritual’s multivitamin contains half of the number of ingredients of most multivitamins, so you’re not getting unnecessary or excessive amounts of nutrients. For instance, this multi doesn’t include calcium, because  most women get plenty from their diets and it can impede the absorption of iron. Ritual’s multi uses folate rather than synthetic folic acid, and it contains omega-3 oil (a vegan form) in the same pill with the other nutrients This brand is one of the most transparent of those we reviewed, and has the best third-party testing. Finally, Ritual’s multivitamin has an enteric coating to improve absorption of nutrients. You can shop Ritual here.

Llama Naturals Multivitamins Gummy Bites

If you, like me, have  a hard time swallowing pills, then these gummies will make taking vitamins something you actually look forward to . Despite not even being convinced that I need a multivitamin at all, I take these every day after lunch when a sugar craving hits (I also take their vitamin D and probiotic). I like this brand because their gummies don’t contain any sugar (they’re sweetened with organic apples and strawberries) are organic, and contain no synthetic vitamins.

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Should Kids Take a Multivitamin?

Considering how many kids take multivitamins, I was surprised to uncover almost no research on the benefits and risks of this daily habit.

Each brand of multivitamins contains a different cocktail of vitamins, and the quantities of each vitamin varies by brand as well. When studies are done on “multivitamins,” they don’t seem to take these differences into consideration. Therefore, we really don’t know which combinations of vitamins and minerals carry which benefits or even which potential risks.

Here are a few red flags I uncovered:

• An association between multivitamins before the age of 6 months and increased risk of asthma among black children.
• The same study showed increased levels of food allergies among formula-fed infants who were given multivitamins before the age of 6 months, and increased levels of food allergies amongst 3-year-olds exposed to multivitamins (whether they had been breast- or formula-fed).
• Another study found that the nutrients most lacking from the diets of children ages 2 to 8–-namely, calcium and vitamin D–-remained lacking despite multivitamin use. Researchers attribute this to the fact that children’s multis are heavy in the “wrong” nutrients–B vitamins and vitamin C, for instance, both of which kids get from food. Moreover, multivitamin use led to excessive levels of certain nutrients, like iron, zinc, and copper in this study. The effects of this are unknown.

What Are the Best Multivitamins for Kids?

Overall, I think the potential for a downside outweighs the potential benefit of multivitamins for kids under about the age of about six. Of course, I defer to your pediatrician–if he or she recommends that your child take a multi, or if your child has a very restricted diet, there are a few brands that qualify as Good Stuff that you can consider.

And for older children, a high-quality multivitamin might be beneficial and probably isn’t harmful. Based on our research, the best multivitamins for kids are the following:

Llama Naturals Kids Multivitamin Gummy Bites

This is a unique gummy brand because it has no added sugar–the vitamins are sweetened with just fruit. It has a good range of naturally-derived vitamins, including 100% the daily requirement of vitamin D.

Ritual Essentials for Kids

Sweetened with monk fruit, Rituals chewable vitamins also contain fiber, a prebiotic, and omega-3 oils. Ritual has separate (non-chewable) formulas for teenage girls and boys, both of which adhere to Ritual’s strict ingredients sourcing policy.

Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin

Hiya is the most eco-friendly brand because they come in a reusable glass bottle and then send you monthly refill packs. The ingredients list is very clean, and Hiya’s chewable vitamins aren’t a gummy at all, so they are a great option for kids who are prone to tooth decay.

Two Pills You & Your Kids Probably Should Be Taking

My research left me somewhat torn about the necessity of multivitamins, but I did come away convinced that we all should be taking a couple of supplements:

1. Vitamin D. Higher levels of vitamin D are protective against a variety of diseases. Vitamin D also enables calcium absorption, making it critical for growing children. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get sufficient vitamin D from diet alone (which is why I recommend time outside without sunscreen). Supplementing 400 IU a day for babies and children and 4,000 for adults makes sense, especially because vitamin D carries a low risk for toxicity. Note that you want to look for D3 if you are a vegan.
   

   I like Carlson as a brand for vitamin D supplements for babies. As for kids (and me!), we take these ones by Rainbow Light or this one by Llama Naturals (which is free of sugar).

   

   Carlson is my favorite brand of vitamin D drops for babies.

2. Omega-3s. These fatty acids are crucial for good brain and heart function, and are found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, breastmilk, and some nuts and seeds. If you and your kids eat fish regularly (even relatively small amounts), you are probably covered. If not, you may want to consider a DHA supplement.

   Nordic Naturals Baby’s DHA is a good one, as are the Nordic Naturals supplements for adults. (Note that the orange-flavored “Fishies” by Nordic Naturals have low levels of omega-3s and are basically candy.) Ritual’s kids multivitamin also contains omega oils and is Good Stuff approved.

Another supplement that you might consider is one with B12 if you are a vegan. This one has 75% of what you need in a day.

Finally, probiotics are good for all of us, and while they are beyond the scope of this post, you can read more about them here.

What supplements and vitamins do you like? Please share in the comments below.

Stay sane,

P.S. If you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, you may want to read our guide to the Best Prenatal Vitamins.

P.P.S. Here’s Llama Naturals lineup of vitamins, including a probiotic we take every day.

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The post What Are the Best Multivitamins? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

UPDATE #2: Here are our thoughts on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

UPDATE #3: No, this is not a sponsored post. (I’ve been asked by more than a few people if big pharma paid me!)

When I asked you guys if you’d like to know my stance on the Covid-19 vaccine, including what my scientist husband thinks, I didn’t predict the massive response. I read all 250+ of your emails, some of which included ten or more questions!

The post COVID-19 Vaccine: Thoughts from a scientist, an MD, two (semi) anti-vaxxers…and me! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

I didn’t think that by September we would still be dealing with Covid-19 and be somewhat quarantined, but here we are. Because of my age (69) and my husband’s age (66), we have been mostly only leaving home to take our daily walks.

There’s so much we can’t control right now, but I have been focusing on keeping my immune system strong. Hopefully, this will decrease my chance of becoming infected with the coronavirus, and if I do get sick, perhaps I’ll recover more quickly.

If you’d like to do the same, and especially if your kids are physically returning to school, the following strategies will help keep immune systems in top shape. (Maia shared seven more tips here for making schools safer.)

#1. Eat All the Greens

You’re probably sick of hearing me talk about green veggies, but hear me out one more time. Greens actually directly influence your immune system.

You may have heard that getting your gut bacteria healthy is one of the most important things we can do for health and immunity. Well, in addition to strengthening the blood and respiratory system, greens also promote healthy intestinal flora.

Smoothies, green juices, salads, sandwiches, and even many snacks are  great ways to add greens into your family’s diet. Some of my grandchildren’s favorites include:

• Romaine lettuce spears drizzled with olive oil (we use Olea True for a double immunity boost), fresh lemon squeeze, and a little sea salt or grated parm.
• Kale chips with a variety of seasoning and spices.
• Green cabbage is great in the form of sauerkraut, which several of my grandchildren love, and which has the added benefit of probiotics.
• Yogurt or keifer fruit smoothies with mild greens (such as romaine and/or spinach).

A Word of Caution on Spinach

Spinach, swiss chard, and beet greens are best eaten in moderation because they contain oxalic acid, which depletes calcium from bones and teeth. The best way to avoid too much of these (probably not a problem for most parents!) is to simply feed your child a variety of greens. If you find your child loves spinach (as one of my grandchildren does), you can cook it with something rich like tofu, seeds, nuts, beans, butter, or oil. This will help balance the effect of the oxalic acid. If you use spinach in a smoothie, try to throw in some nuts or seeds.

One great way to get kids interested in eating greens is to allow them to grow them. If you don’t have a garden, there are many greens you can grow in small planters. Herbs are easy to grow in containers and are full of antioxidants and you can chop them finely and add to children’s food.

I find that if I buy herbs, they often rot in the fridge before I use them. Instead, I have a small kitchen herb garden with parsley, basil, thyme, cilantro, and rosemary and I just clip a few for added greens if I have nothing else in the fridge. Children don’t seem to mind parsley, thyme, or basil if I add only a small amount to their meals.

#2. Add Alkaline-Promoting Foods to Your Diet

Your body needs both acid-forming and alkaline-forming foods to function optimally. It’s overwhelming to try to figure out ratios and which foods are more acid forming and which are alkaline forming, and there are entire books written on this subject!

Unfortunately, you can’t really intuit if a food is acidic or alkaline—it has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food. (Citrus fruits, for instance, are acidic in nature, but citric acid actually has an alkalizing effect to the body.)

Here are a few simple tipes to make your family’s diet more alkaline:

1. Fruits and vegetables are the most alkaline-forming foods. So, if your child is eating acid-forming foods like protein (especially animal protein), starch (especially wheat and other refined grains), or sweets, be sure to include some alkaline foods for balance.
2. Nuts tend to be acidic. Almonds are the one exception, which is why many people consider them to be the healthiest nut.
3. Grains are mostly acidic, with a few exceptions. Buckwheat, quinoa, and millet are alkaline, so you can rotate these into your child’s diet. Need recipe inspiration? My grandkids love these buckwheat pancakes, and my friend Marybeth kindly shared an amazing millet burger recipe here.
4. Sugar of almost all kinds is acidic. Some experts say that raw honey is alkaline forming, so you might explore using this instead of maple syrup.

The real trick here isn’t to worry about serving acidic foods, but rather to balance them with alkaline foods. For example, if you’re serving crackers and cheese for a snack, you might include include sliced cucumber. If breakfast is cereal with milk (note: plant milk is less acidic than animal milk, and raw is less acidic than pasteurized), you can slice a banana or strawberry on top or toss in a handful of raisins. Pasta can we topped with  finely chopped fresh basil or parsley. A grilled cheese with tomatoes is a great combo.

If your kid refuses anything green, just give them some sliced fruit to go with their chicken nuggets! Or, you could try the weird but delicious snack my grandma used to serve: sliced green pepper with peanut butter, chilled in the fridge. You get the idea!

#3. Eat With the Seasons

When I was trained in Macrobiotic nutrition, I learned the importance of eating seasonal foods. Doing so supports a healthy immune system in several ways, including the fact that in-season produce packs more nutrition than produce that is left to ripen on a truck.

Perhaps most importantly, the freshest fruits and vegetables taste better, so kids are more likely to eat them. A visit to your local farmer’s market will reveal what’s currently in season in your area, but here are a few quick examples from the Northeast, where I live:

• Asparagus taste the best here in the spring, when it’s in season.
• I only eat fresh strawberries at the end of May when they are growing here in PA. (Note: Frozen berries are a great because they are frozen at the height of ripeness–we eat these all winter!)
• Kale is the best in the fall and winter when it gets cooler.
• Zuchini and summer squash in the summer is a great way to try an alkaline pasta dish. (Of course some kids will protest but there’s also zucchini pancakes and zucchini “crab” cakes.)

#4. Sleep More

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is for our immune system. You also probably know that screens can disrupt sleep. Even watching TV can suppress the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. It is best to avoid screens of all kinds at least 30 minutes before bedtime, but this can be hard for kids who like to read before bed on tablets. The Kindle Oasis is the (expensive!) model with blue-light blocking capabilities.

Another tip for better sleep: Kids should avoid caffeine (even chocolate!) in the afternoon or evening. Maia’s son Wolfie loves kombucha, which is made with black tea, so she avoids letting him drink this before bed.

Finally, even older children benefit from a mellow bedtime routine to help them wind down. And you can still read to your older kids before bed, a habit that I like to think is responsible for both of my grown children loving to read so much.

#5. Peaceful Meals

I think how you eat can be just as important as what you eat. Positive states of mind are alkaline forming, and feeling angry or stressed creates acidity in the body.

Having peaceful family meals right now is certainly a daunting task, but simply avoiding stressful topics during dinner can help.

When I was a child, we started every meal with a prayer. I didn’t keep that practice in my own family, but I now realize that it was a great habit for health!

If you don’t want to lead your family in a formal “grace,” perhaps just create a ritual before family meals that promotes peacefully. How about simply holding hands and expressing gratitude for the food and those who prepared it?

#6. Movement & Sunshine

Children’s bedtimes are so much easier when they get fresh air and exercise during the day. If you don’t believe me, try it. They will fall asleep easier and sleep more soundly, I promise. (Lots of daytime movement will also make kinds hungrier, and a good appetite is crucial for getting children to eat more veggies.)

My years as a Waldorf teacher taught me that kids should get outside every day regardless of the weather. All you need is sunscreen, sun hats, and rain gear, winter hats, a warm coat, and mittens to enjoy whatever the day brings.

I admit that it’s so hot here in Pennsylvania in the summer that it’s hard to get outside daily. My solution is a long walk in the very early morning, or later in the evening.

Another benefit of being outside: vitamin D. Many of us our deficient, and the best way to increase your levels of vitamin D is a few minutes of direct sunlight (when you’re not wearing sunblock!).

Kids really thrive in nature, and sometimes we just need to help them notice it. I love to talk about the seasonal changes of plants with my grandkids, and to observe the weather, look for interesting insects, gather objects from nature and make an indoor nature or seasonal table! My grandkids love this book to get excited about nature.

Please share your own ideas for keeping immunity strong as we head into this challenging fall.

To your health,

Suzanne Weaver-Goss, Certified Holistic Health Coach

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The post 6 Back-to-School Immune Boosters appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

1) Clean the air in the classroom.

I hope your school has a plan for improving air quality—ideally even holding classes outside if space and weather allows.

If they don’t, placing portable air filters in each classroom can clear the air of viruses and bacteria–in addition to removing a wide variety of environmental toxins.

Here is more on which filters kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and this is the filter we are buying for our schools. (We’re also donating filters to underserved schools, so please reach out if you’re a teacher in such a classroom.)

2) Keep your child’s immune system strong.

We aren’t big vitamin proponents in normal life, but select supplements are worth considering this year. You could even add a serving of (yummy tasting!) elderberry syrup to a water bottle so your child boosts her immunity while she sips throughout the day. (Or go the easier route and just give them a gummy.)

Wondering about the science behind elderberry? Studies suggests it “may help to prevent the early stage of coronavirus infections, which includes COVID-19,” according to Dr. Andrew Weill. One caveat from my husband, a molecular embryologist: “It’s possible that if you’re sick with COVID-19, the increased cytokine activity conferred by elderberry could add to fluid volume in the lungs–part of the “cytokine storm” reaction. For this reason, if you become symptomatic or test positive, I’d stop slugging elderberry.”

Another supplement to consider is vitamin D for its general immune-boosting properties.

My mom, a certified holistic health coach, suggests six daily habits that keep kids’ immune systems in top shape:

1. Greens every day.
2. An alkaline diet (cucumbers with their crackers, bananas on their cereal, a little broccoli in their pasta).
3. Eating with the seasons.
4. Getting quality sleep.
5. Creating a peaceful home.
6. Spending time outside every day.

Suzanne wrote a separate post to provide details and tips to incorporate these habits into your daily life come fall!

3) Teach your kid to clean his own hands.

Normally, I fight the urge to turn my kids into germaphobes (which isn’t to say I cannot often be found shouting “don’t touch that subway pole!”). However, right now I am reminding them to use hand sanitizer every 30 minutes or so whenever we are outside of our home and touching things. Consider sending your children to school with easy-to-open sanitizer and encouraging him to apply it often. (This one is easiest for my kids).

4) Put your child in a mask that fits.

I like these soft organic cotton ones that fit well and don’t require lots of fiddling with. And of course, because masks are the new missing sock in our home, I have at least five per kid--especially since I’ll want to wash them daily when they get home from school.

(Primary also makes nice masks that have a removable filter for extra protection.)

5) Enable your kid to keep a distance from her teachers.

For the sake of the teacher as well as your kid, you want her to handle herself without a teacher having to come too close. Depending on the age of your child, this likely means shoes that slip on or have Velcro rather than laces, pull-on pants rather than ones that need buttoning after the bathroom, and so on.

This is a year to definitely make sure ALL of your child’s items are clearly labeled, so that he keeps his own stuff in his own space (I am normally so bad about having our stuff labeled, but I am vowing to do better!).

It’s also a year to make sure her backpack, lunchbox, and jackets and hoodies have functional zippers, and that she’s able to open his water bottle and lunch containers without help. If you have a kid with seasonal allergies, send along tissues.

6) Push for safer cleaning products.

While COVID is the most front-of-mind risk, I’m also worried about the heavy dose of bleach and other cleaning products our kids will be exposed to in the school. If your school is receptive, you might consider lobbying for them to use one of the many non-toxic solutions that will kill the coronavirus. This one is the most earth-friendly, and Force of Nature is offering 40% off all bundles through the end of the year with code GIMMETHEGOODSTUFF.

7) Keep your home germ-free.

This year, we will have designated space outside the door for backpacks, shoes, and outerwear. The kids will come in from school, put their clothes (and masks) straight into a hot washer, and go take their showers immediately. And, I’ll definitely be running an air filter in my home all evening.

What other strategies are you employing to mitigate the inherent risks of sending your kids back to the classroom? I would especially love to hear how parents of middle- and high-school aged kids are tackling this.

P.S. Lots of you have asked what our plans are for school this year, and I am happy to share: 

• Felix is starting at a private middle school, which will be fully open and because it is small is able to abide by social distancing rules with limited class size, spacing between kids, etc.
• Wolfie is going to public school for second grade, and he will be there half-time (with half as many kids) and doing remote learning from home on the other days.

Do I feel one hundred percent comfortable sending them to school? Definitely not. However, I basically trust our governor and our school administration/teachers, and the community at both of the schools, and so I am willing to take this calculated risk for the educational and social-emotional benefit to my kids.

I would almost certainly make a different choice if I lived in a city where my values didn’t align with local elected officials, school leadership/teachers, and the parents whose kids will be in school with mine—or if I lived in an area where there were high levels of COVID currently circulating. If New York City’s numbers begin to creep up, my husband and I will re-evaluate our strategy. We are fortunate that I work from home, and I know many of you are having a much more stressful decision-making process.

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The post 7 Ways You Can Make School Safer from Covid-19 appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Here are 8 things that are helping me stay semi-sane:

1. Home improvement projects. Since we are rarely leaving the apartment these days, I’ve been inspired to improve the inside! I splurged on these organic sheets, have been filling my home with air-purifying plants, and upgraded a few of our rugs to less toxic versions (current fave). I’ve also been doing some organizing and deep cleaning, room by room, and this activity prompted me to publish an All-Purpose Cleaner Guide.
2. Cooking. You probably know by now that I’m not much of a cook. Mostly, I find it pretty tedious, which is probably why I made New York City my home. Sun Basket takes the pressure off a few times a week, and I’ve also gone back to my old favorite cookbook for delicious, easy, vegetarian meals. If you’re cooking more than usual (and I assume you all are!), our Cookware Guide might be of particular interest right now.
   1. Not cooking! Just yesterday, I started Nutrition for Longevity meal delivery and it is so, so delicious! It’s a unique concept of pre-made breakfast and lunch and then ingredients and recipe for a simple dinner. You can use code GIMME20 for $20 off your trial box or $40 off a subscription. So far, I’m into it!For a true detox, you could also try Sakara’s Healthy Body Project , which is a four-week transformative program that includes Sakara meals, at-home fitness classes from The Sculpt Society, health coaching, and $250 in luxe gifts, including a pair of sneakers from APL. You can choose to start May 4, 11, 18, or 25. Code XOMAIA will get you 20% off this or any other Sakara meal program.
3. Squeezing in fitness. The reality is that it is VERY hard for me to muster the discipline to work out for a full hour at home. To compensate, I’m forcing myself do a session every day, but typically it’s just 20 or 30 minutes. I’m working my way through the free trials of all the online programs you guys have recommended. So far, that’s been Tracy Anderson, Melissa Wood Health, and now Yoga Glo. Next, I’ll do The Class, and then I’ll likely stop the trials and sign up for my favorite. Let me know if I’m missing an amazing one! In terms of equipment, I purchased some basic ankle weights on Amazon, and am still using wine bottles for hand weights. I did a little research on yoga mats, and decided on this brand as the best non-toxic one on the market. I love it, and would highly recommend.
   
4. Giving back. A good way to stop feeling sorry for yourself is by an act of generosity. There are so many vulnerable groups right now, and I’ve been particularly worried about the many women I know who are employed as domestic workers and are ineligible for unemployment benefits. I’ve chosen to donate to this incredible organization, and would love to hear from you about how you’re giving back–if you are fortunate enough to be able to do so.
5. Trying to keep us well. I feel more peace of mind when I’m doing basic things to keep us safe. My husband is an essential worker, so we are not entirely quarantined, and doing lots of hand-washing, wearing masks when we go out for groceries, and trying to remember to take our elderberry syrup (it’s back in stock, you guys!). Here’s a list of natural substances that kill coronavirus.
6. Getting outside. I know many of you have nice big yards, but my fellow apartment dwellers must know my pain! Even moments on our roof, watering our little carrot garden, brighten my mood. We drove about an hour outside of the city earlier in this week for a 3-mile hike and I’m determined to make that a weekly activity.
7. Trying new beauty products or treatments. Wellll, the truth is, I’m not exactly making myself more beautiful during this time. You might argue the opposite, in fact. The new habits I’ve taken on during quarantine include not shaving my armpits (something I’ve always wanted to do–it must be the Vermonter in me!) and giving no-poo another shot. Picking at my face and chewing my cuticles have become my number 1 and number 2 hobbies. One thing I have done is add this raved-about product to my simple skincare routine. I’ve also thought about dying my hair, and started looking into safer options for that. My initial research lead me to conclude that Garnier’s Olia line is perhaps the safest, although still far from truly Good Stuff.

Will you reply to this email and let me know how you’re staying sane through this? I don’t always have time to reply, but I do read every single message!

Stay sane,

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The post 8 More Things Keeping Me Sane appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Do I need to remind you that I’m not a doctor or any kind of medical professional? What follows is just my interpretation of what I’ve read about how to kill this terrifying virus. Definitely check with someone with some kind of real qualifications before following any of my tips;).

Please note that this list is for killing the virus on hard surfaces (for my use that means doorknobs, plastic packaging that food comes in, railings in the common areas of our building, etc.).

Also important: all of these take ten minutes on surfaces to work; the exception is ethanol (alcohol), which kills the virus in 5 minutes.

I’ll also label each as Good Stuff or Best Stuff based on potential toxicity of each ingredient.

Ethanol, otherwise known as alcohol, is what’s in Purell (which is Bad Stuff because of other gross ingredients, like fragrance) but these two are Good Stuff: All Good Organic Peppermint Hand Sanitizer Spray and Aura Cacia Natural Hand Sanitizer.

Thymol (thyme oil) is found in Cleanwell and Seventh Generation antibacterial products, both of which seem to be sold out absolutely everywhere.

Hypochlorous acid is the main ingredient in Lumion skincare (which I’m also using to clean my hands). Code GIMMETHEGOODSTUFF will give you 15% off on their site.

Citric acid is found in Comet (Bad Stuff because of other ingredients) and Method Antibacterial Cleaner (not quite Good Stuff, but Okay Stuff).

Sodium chloride is the active ingredient in Force of Nature. Receive $20 off Starter Kits, plus free shipping with code: FALLINLOVE20 or receive 30% off Bundles, plus free shipping with code FALLINLOVE30  

Hydrogen peroxide is also hard to get right now. You want a 3% concentration. (This might be a stretch, but we aren’t sold out of this mouthwash, which contains 1.5% hydrogen peroxide, which is more than these healthcare wipes. So, don’t judge me when you find me wiping down my doorknob with mouthwash.)

Sodium hypochlorite is more commonly known as bleach, and you’ll find it in most (toxic!) Clorox products.

Quaternary ammonium is the active ingredient in Lysol products.

Can Essential Oils Kill Coronavirus?

I can’t find any studies showing that essential oils definitely kill coronaviruses, but this study shows that certain oils are effective in killing H1N1 flu viruses as well as the herpes simplex virus (plus a variety of bacteria and fungi).

The blend tested contained cinnamon, wild carrot, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils (worth noting: this blend also was effective against antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria).

Other studies have confirmed the antibacterial properties of eucalyptus oil as well as of cinnamon oil, and this all-purpose cleaner contains both . This sanitizing spray contains rosemary and eucalyptus.

Stay sane and healthy,

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The post 8 Things That Kill Coronavirus appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

None of us is sick yet, and we’ve settled into a surprisingly pleasant routine here in Brooklyn, which includes daily rooftop meditations, Zoom story-time each night with my parents, and healthy home-cooked, sit-down meals three times a day (as New Yorkers, we are used to restaurant fare for about half of our weekly food intake!). It’s been stressful and challenging, but there are some distinct bright spots.

Below, I’ll share what is keeping me sane(ish) right now, but first I want to give you guys an update from our store.

The Deal with Our Store During the COVID-19 Outbreak

1. Trump’s announcement about blocking travel from Europe, including a “tremendous amount of trade and cargo” was momentarily alarming since we offer many European products in out store. Fortunately, he later tweeted that the ban would apply to “people not goods,” so as of now there are no products we won’t be able to get. Of particular concern, of course, is parents who rely on us for Loulouka infant formula. We are well stocked for now, and will let you know if anything changes. Hopefully we can continue to get this from Sweden, but it’s probably not a bad idea to stock up if you can afford to.
2. There is no evidence that opening mail presents much of a risk, but I want to offer our customers some additional reassurance. All Gimme orders are shipped from our tiny warehouse in Lancaster, PA. We have one employee, but she is currently working from home. My parents, Suzanne and John, are packing all boxes for shipment, wearing gloves, and wiping incoming orders down before putting them on our shelves. Because John and Suzanne are both over 65, they have been totally isolated for weeks, even getting groceries delivered and not seeing anyone outside of each other. I say this to reassure you that what’s in your package has been touched by a maximum of two fully-isolated individuals!
3. Speaking of our small staff: Because Tracy is no longer in the warehouse, Suzanne and John are working overtime to get your shipments out. We normally ship all orders within 24 hours of receiving them, but we are running a bit slower than that now, so we thank you for your patience. If you’re wondering about the status of an order, please give Suzanne a call at 802-613-3254. Some products may be temporarily out of stock if we are unable to get them from vendors. Please check back often, as we are getting shipments in every day and putting items back in stock! (For those asking, we have a new sanitizer in our store, and it’s not yet sold out!).
4. One thing we ARE backed up on is our pure elderberry syrup –we can only get about 36 new bottles a week from our supplier, so please be aware that if you order this, it may be about a week before we can ship it. The good news is we also have this immune-supporting product that has a heavy dose of elderberry in it.

13 Things Keeping Me Sane

In addition to my favorite ways to boost immunity, there is some other Good Stuff I’m relying on these days for sanity:

1. Wine. Welp, I had planned to do some kind of mini cleanse this month where I didn’t drink any alcohol for a couple of weeks, but that’s not happening. A glass (or two) is such a treat after full days of home-schooling my kids, running my business, and watching the terrifying news. Here’s what I’m drinking and why.
2. Food delivery. Now that we are quarantined rather than just distancing, food delivery services are crucial. I’m doing a combo of groceries dropped by friends, Sakara (code XOMAIA will get you 20% off), Sun Basket, Thrive Market, and Butcher Box. (If you’re stocking up on non-perishables, I love these cereals for a treat, and here is our coffee in toxin-free bags.)
   
3. Produce wash. This is not something I normally use, but I sure am now–if you don’t have your own vinegar solution, I like this one.
4. Good Stuff for my hands. This soap doesn’t dry out my hands with all the washing. I’ve also been applying this liberally throughout the day.
5. Marijuana. Just kidding. But I do like Calm CBD oil.
6. A sane home-schooling plan. A dear friend of mine wrote this plan (PDF), and it’s the best one I’ve found for getting into a routine but still allowing plenty of flexibility.
   
7. Games. In an effort to keep my kids off nonstop screens, we are playing more games as a family. We like Sushi Go and Uno, and this is a really fun game for younger kids, while this one is perfect for kids who can’t handle losing.
8. Crafts. I’m not a crafty person, but I did just start a cross-stitch project (which I got from Purl Soho–a small business I will definitely be supporting online!). My kids are not too old to still enjoy natural modeling dough or simple coloring projects.
9. Vitamin D & Meditation. We are spending very little time outsider on our roof, so I’m worried about the lack of vitamin D. We’ve all been taking these gummies. On sunny days, we do spend time on the roof lying in the sun and meditating to the Insight Timer app; they have some good ones for kids.
10. Getting ready for Easter. We are going to make the best of Easter in an apartment, with decorating and egg-painting and even growing our own grass!  (Also check out our selection of Easter basket fillers.)
11. Cleaning our air. I’ve been running our Austin air filters nonstop. They use true medical grade HEPA that removes 95% of all particles larger than 0.1 microns. Scientists say that the size of the new coronavirus is .125 microns, and is possibly airborne. Most of you probably aren’t worried about contracting coronavirus in your own homes, but as this became a reality for my family, I was happy to have our filters! And since my husband is a healthcare worker, he will soon be back at the hospital, possibly bringing the virus back home with him each night. At the very least, I hope breathing cleaner air will keep our lungs in better shape should we catch any kind of respiratory infection.
    
12. Protecting ourselves from screens. With all this working from home and remote learning for my kids, I’m so grateful for these anti-radiation devices.
13. Deep cleaning. If you’re in the privileged position to normally have a housekeeper or cleaning service in your home, you’re probably not having him or her come right now. I’ve been weirdly enjoying cleaning my own home–and having my kids help much more than they normally do! We are using mostly these products.

Stay sane and healthy,

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The post 13 Ways to Stay Sane During This Pandemic appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

This time of year, I get a lot of questions about humidifiers. As temperatures drop outside, we turn up our thermostats for relief. But that warm air is dry, leaving our skin, hair and mucus membranes parched.

Add in a cold or flu, especially a sick baby, and you’ll be temped to run out and buy the first humidifier you can get your (very dry) hands on—but wait!

The humidifier market is crowded with products–cool-mist and warm-mist humidifiers; big units, small units, and whole-house humidifiers; cute humidifiers for baby; humidifiers with “air washing” and UV features; etc. When I started researching humidifiers and saw all of these options, I understood why so many readers and clients ask me for help choosing one!

You may have also heard about some of the health risks associated with humidifiers. They can over-humidify a space, which may lead to the growth of mold and bacteria in your home. If not cleaned regularly, the humidifier itself can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

And warm-mist humidifiers, also knows as vaporizers, come with a burn risk because they heat water to create steam. Many pediatricians warn against using these units near children.

All that said, a good humidifier could become your best friend this winter. Here are my top tips for humidifiers–what kind to choose, and how to use it to maximize benefits and eliminate drawbacks:

1. Choose an evaporative cool-mist humidifier. According to my research, one of the best cool-mist humidifiers is the Honeywell HCM-350. (Shoppers agree; it’s the best-selling unit on Amazon!) Warm-mist and cool-mist are the two basic types of humidifiers. Aside from the burn risk mentioned above, warm-mist humidifiers are higher maintenance and often more expensive. You should also avoid ultrasonic cool-mist humidifiers, which are more likely to over-humidify your space. 
   
   

   I recommend the Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier.

2. If you’re set on the idea of warm mist, consider Stadler’s HERA Ultrasonic Humidifier, which produces both cool and warm mist.  This is a good humidifier, but because it’s ultrasonic, you run the risk of over-humidifying your space. Get a hygrometer and monitor it to make sure the humidity level in your home stays in the safe range of 30-50%.
3. Avoid humidifiers that require the addition of quaternary ammonium compounds, as they are linked with asthma and respiratory disorders, as well as skin allergies and irritation. For instance, Venta humidifiers require a “water treatment additive,” which contains the aforementioned compounds.
4. Keep your humidifier clean! This might mean cleaning it daily or every few days. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. I recommend using white vinegar to clean them.
5. But don’t worry about features that kill water-borne microbes or purify your air. Some units (including the Honeywell cool mist humidifier I recommend) have UV bulbs that are supposed to kill germs in tap water. Unless you’re living off the grid, your drinking water shouldn’t have these germs. Also, some humidifiers claim to have “air washing” abilities. Studies by Consumer Reports and others conclude that these claims are pretty much bogus. Don’t rely on a humidifier to purify your air. Instead, try a natural charcoal purifier, like a Moso bag.
6. Last but not least, start with good water. One of the most important (and overlooked) considerations when it comes to humidifiers is the water you put into the unit. Unfiltered tap water is full of all kinds of unhealthy stuff. If you use water that contains chlorine, for instance, the humidifier vaporizes chlorine and spreads it through your home.

Stay sane,

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What follows are some tips on staying healthy right now, whether you’re worried about COVID-19 or just run-of-the-mill colds and flu.

1. Bathe your kids as soon as they get home from school.

If we aren’t planning to leave the house in the evening, I’ll pop my kids in the shower and put their clothes in the wash as soon as they get home from school, rather than waiting until after dinner.

We all know that schools are the germiest places ever, so I love to get my kids scrubbed and in clean pajamas as soon as possible once they get out of the cesspool that is the classroom.  This is their favorite bubble bath.

2. Support your immune system with stuff that works.

I’m not a big supplement person, but I do believe a few key immune-boosters are worth taking, especially when we are in the midst of flu season.

Elderberry syrup has been shown to reduce the duration of colds and flus, and may even be protective against complications from Coronaviruses. Note that this study was conducted on cells in a petri dish rather than in an animal, much less a human, and it’s also from a different strain of Coronavirus than the one circulating now. Still, the fact that the Sambuca nigra fruit compound protected these cells against the Coronavirus is promising, in my opinion.

I also give my kids this vitamin D gummy every day for general immune support, especially in the winter. You might also consider a probiotic for yourself or your kids. I also add Olea True high-phenol olive oil to their meals whenever I can sneak it in (salad dressing is the easiest way to get it in them!).

(Related: My thoughts on multivitamins.)

3. Pop a few pills when you feel symptoms.

When you do get sick, consider a few natural remedies that really work to make you feel better, faster.

In addition to Umcka, elderberry, and propolis, zinc is once again in the news for shortening colds.

4. Invest in a good air filter.

The right filter can remove bacteria and viruses from the air. If someone in your family is sick, running the filter might help stop the spread of germs. I have this model in our living area, and this one in the kids’ room.

5. WASH YOUR HANDS, or use natural antibacterial spray and wipes. 

If you can’t get to a place to wash your hands, the next best thing is spraying your hands with sanitizer.

I was totally that mom wiping down tray tables and armrests on our flight last week. Note that the CDC recommends sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and the brands we sell are alcohol free. A toxin-free version WITH alcohol is this one. If you can’t get it on Amazon, check Whole Foods or local health food stores.

Stay sane,

P.S. If you are extremely worried about Coronavirus, keep in mind:

• Kids are not getting super sick with this virus (and none has died), and the same is basically true for healthy adults. The risks are higher for the elderly, especially those with underlying health issues.
• Overall, COVID-19’s fatality rate is low compared to other virus outbreaks in recent years. Ebola kills between 25% and 90% of its victims, and SARS and MERS (both coronaviruses themselves) have fatality rates of 10% and 35%, respectively. Right now, it looks like COVID-19’s death rate is somewhere around 3%.
• For middle-aged adults, this Coronavirus is probably about as dangerous as the flu, and it appears to be much less dangerous than the flu for kids.

Shop This Story

Elderberry Syrup

Sniffle Set

$42.00Buy Now

Umcka Tablets

$17.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Antibacterial Wipes

Herbal Lozenges

Cleanwell Hand Sanitizer

I love CleanWell’s hand sanitizing spray.

Air Purifier

$995.00Buy Now

Immune Zoom

$18.99 – $33.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Vitamin D Gummies

My kids love these vitamin D gummies. Just make sure to brush teeth after eating!

Lavender Bubble Bath

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

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The post Our Thoughts On Coronavirus appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and nothing I’m about to say should be confused as medical advice. I’m simply telling you what finally worked for me a few winters ago, when things were really bad.

The Winter of My Discontent

The winter of 2017 was pretty standard in terms of illnesses for my kids–not the worst they’ve had, but not the best by any stretch.

For me, though, it was brutal beginning around Thanksgiving: lots of colds and even fevers and days where I just wanted to lie in bed all day (which of course isn’t an option as a mom or business owner). My first thought was that I needed to clean up my act and prevent catching every cold my kids got: I vowed to get more sleep, take a daily immune tonic, and drink more green smoothies.

Unfortunately, I’m just not the type to remember to take anything daily, be it a probiotic or a tonic! (Actually, I do remember to take this probiotic daily because it tastes like candy.) I’m more the type to frantically clean up my act once I am in the throes of a miserable flu. And now, I’ve found a way to sort of do that.

Things really turned around for me that winter winter with the discovery of a natural remedy. For my mom, the savior was a different product, but also one that you take once you feel yourself coming down with something, rather than beforehand. The trick with both of these is to take them at the very first sign of a cold.

The Natural Cold Remedies We Love

Option 1: Nature’s Way Umcka Cold & Flu Care

I take Umcka because I prefer a chewable option, which just happens to taste like candy:). I take it at the first sign of a cold, every four or five hours.

You can now get Umcka in our online store!

$17.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Option 2: Urban Moonshine Immune Zoom

My mom (and my brother) swear by Immune Zoom; they like the liquid formula, and my mom knows and trusts the herbalist who makes this stuff. (Btw, my accountant recently bought a bottle of this for his wife, and said she had the exact same experience that my family has–which is the complete cessation of cold symptoms shortly after she started taking it).

$13.00Buy Now

Is Elderberry Syrup Effective?

Last year, a friend asked what I thought of elderberry syrup because she swears it works to prevent colds in her 3-year-old daughter (and unlike some remedies, it actually tastes good!).

As I am wont to do, I went into a research hole. Good news: studies show that elderberry can decrease the duration of the influenza virus by four days and cold viruses by even more.

Since my kids love it so much, I do my best to keep elderberry syrup on hand to take as a daily preventative measure. This is my favorite brand.

2021 Update: If your kids have trouble with the syrup, try these elderberry gummies.

What Happens When You Take These Natural Cold Remedies?

My mom and I are taking two different products, but experiencing the same thing. Let’s say we start to feel a sore throat and nasal congestion coming on. Before we started using these products, within 24 hours we’d have a full-blown cold: the raw throat, the cough, the faucet-nose, and possibly even a fever or aches.

Now, when we take either Umcka or Immune Zoom, our symptoms either stop completely within about a day, or remain for a couple of days at that low-level stage, never turning into anything more.

Just this weekend, I felt the beginnings of what I was CERTAIN was going to be a real doozy of a cold–it was incredibly painful to swallow, and I felt pressure building in my sinuses. I thought it would be too much for Umcka to possibly clear up, but I was wrong. By the next morning after starting Umcka, I had barely a scratch in my throat, and within 24 hours I was back to normal. My mom fought of similar set up symptoms with Immune Zoom earlier this month.

How Do These Natural Cold Remedies Work?

Honestly, I don’t really care, but there are actually good studies showing that Umcka is effective. Immune Zoom contains a combo of known immune boosters such as echinacea, elderberries, honey, ginger, and cayenne.

I also wonder if there is some bio-individuality process going on, because I have friends that swear by zinc to prevent colds, but this has done nothing for me. And studies aren’t consistent about on the benefits of echinacea (though some studies do show it to reduce the duration of a cold), yet there is no question that it’s working for my mom and brother.

For us, the proof is in the pudding–if it works and contains nothing dangerous, then we are hooked!

Can I Give These Natural Cold Remedies to My Kids (or Take If I’m Pregnant)?

Immune Zoom is definitely safe for kids over the age of 2, but you’ll want to adjust the dose according to their weight. The recommended serving sizes on the bottles are for 150-pound adults, so just divide by your child’s weight to find the correct ratio.

Chewable Umcka can be given to kids over the age of 6 (and because it’s so tasty, you won’t have a problem getting them to eat it!). We also recently added this children’s Umcka to our lineup.

Andi Lynn’s elderberry syrup is safe for kids and grownups, and Llama Naturals makes an elderberry gummy for kids and a different one for adults.

What remedies do you feel like REALLY work to stop a cold or flu in its tracks? Please comment below!

Stay sane and healthy,

P.S. Here are ten other resources for either preventing illness or dealing once it gets you:

1. This soothing spray for kids with raw, painful throats.
2. My thoughts on giving kids fever reducers.
3. A safe chest syrup for those never-ending coughs.
4. This air filter, which removes bacteria and viruses from the air (mine is running 24/7 right now).
5. This incredibly luxurious lavender rub. (Use it instead of Vick’s.)
6. Help choosing the right humidifier. 
7. This goo for healing raw noses in, like, 2 seconds.
8. Natural antibacterial hand soap to stop the spread of germs!
9. Natural lozenges with elderberry.
10. My thoughts on multivitamins, for kids and adults.

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The post Two Ways to Not Catch Your Kid’s Cold: Natural Cold Remedies That Work appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

My mom is the unlucky one of our group who picked it up during our vacation in Vermont last month, which we spent picking ticks off ourselves. (I grew up in Vermont and ticks/Lyme were a non-issue back then, but climate change (among other factors) means we will just be seeing more and more of it, sadly.)

Woodstock, VT, is beautiful, but also infested with ticks!

It was a brutal month between when my mom started having symptoms (which came and went) until she finally was diagnosed and started treatment, and I’m happy to report that she seems to finally be on the mend.

My heart goes out to those of you with truly ill parents–emotionally, it was so hard to see her suffer and worry about what was wrong. Logistically, my work was put on hold because her illness fell during the two-week stretch that my kids were supposed to be staying with her. Meanwhile, her summer was dominated by not feeling well, and now being on treatment for 21 days, during which time she is particularly susceptible to sunburn so kind of has to hide out!

I do feel fortunate that we figured out what was going on with her, and I wanted to share a few things we learned about Lyme disease symptoms through this process:

1) Don’t discount a febrile illness that doesn’t resemble what you read online about Lyme.

My mom spiked a fever and suffered from extreme malaise a few weeks after she found a tick on her back, but she also experienced significant gastrointestinal symptoms when she first got sick (mostly, pronounced nausea). We assumed she had caught my nephew’s stomach bug, especially when her symptoms passed quickly and she felt fine for days afterwards. All the Lyme literature stresses an absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, and most people with Lyme feel bad with fevers and aches for weeks, so her presentation was atypical.

2) Don’t wait for a rash that looks like what you see online, or like what your doctor has seen before.

My mom’s rash was really different from anything that typically appears with Lyme, and it was originally diagnosed as some kind of post-viral reaction or possible allergy because of its appearance. There was no reaction at all near her tick bite, and her rash came and went for two weeks without any bullseye ever appearing. The picture to the right is one I found online that looks similar to what my mom had, but still not exactly the same.

3) Pay attention to pain.

The symptom that finally prompted a Lyme test for my mom was pain in her back radiating to a leg. It seemed like simple sciatica, but chiropractic adjustments and massages brought no relief. That said, she is happy that she received a massage because that therapist identified the rash as similar to what another client with Lyme had experienced. I kept Googling “Lyme back pain” and coming up empty, but my physician mother-in-law found articles in medical literature that suggest various nerve pain can occur in 10%-15% of patients.

I thought I’d share these takeaways in case any of you have a weird case of Lyme like my mom did. Perhaps most cases of Lyme aren’t “textbook,” although the people who get a blazing bullseye rash and fever are the lucky ones who probably are diagnosed and treated quickly.

Please feel free to comment with your own Lyme experiences below.

Stay sane,

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The post Lyme Disease: What I Wish We’d Known appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

The CBD oil industry has exploded over the last year or so, and many people are touting the benefits: better sleep, reduced anxiety, controlled pain, and more.

Some of you have written us asking how to try CBD oil (also known as hemp oil) safely, and you are confused by the multitude of options.

In this booming market, there are too many brands that are producing inexpensive and poor quality oil. Not only is this potentially unsafe, but these brands often produce ineffective results as well. A recent study showed that 70% of CBD oils sold online are mislabeled!

Unlike something like homeopathic tablets or even essential oils, there’s good evidence that CBD oil does something, so we were motivated to look into it further. (This is not meant as a dig on essential oils–I know that many of you love EOs, and we don’t believe they are harmful. We just have not found enough solid science behind their benefits to partner with any EO distributors or to sell EOs in our store.)

This post will help you understand CBD oil–what it is, what it does (and doesn’t do), and most importantly, how to find a safe, effective brand if you’d like to give it a try.

First, let’s cover the basics.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol oil is one of over 60 compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds are referred to as cannabinoids.

Does CBD oil really do anything?

It sure seems like it! The very strongest scientific evidence is for CBD’s effectiveness in treating certain childhood epilepsy syndromes. In numerous studies, CBD has been shown to reduce or even stop seizures.  (The FDA recently approved the first ever cannabis-derived medicine for this use.)

There is also good evidence that CBD can help anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain–although many of these studies still are only in animal models.

Anecdotally, I know people who swear by CBD for everything from acne to menstrual pain.

So the bottom line is, yes, we believe that CBD does something. But it’s critical that manufacturers have a solid understanding of how and why CBD works. Without this knowledge, their formulations may only be a guess rather than based in solid science. This can make all the difference between a very effective formulation and one that will have no effect.

Is CBD oil safe?

While CBD is found in marijuana (it’s one of hundreds of compounds therein), it will not cause you to get high. The WHO says: “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

As of now, the FDA does not regulate the safety or purity of dietary supplements like CBD. So you have to find a manufacturer you trust to feel confident that the product you buy has active ingredients at the dose listed on the label.

When looking for the best CBD brand it is important to ask the following five questions.

1. Where do they source their hemp?

It is important that the hemp comes from a U.S. registered hemp farm. During our search, we were shocked to see e-commerce sites that offered over 184,000 products from China to U.S. hemp distributors–this is scary! We also prefer companies that use organic and sustainable farming practices. If a company is not transparent with their sourcing, then it’s best to steer clear.

2. How do they process their hemp?

There are many ways to extract the CBD from hemp, but they are not all equally safe. Some brands use nasty solvents such as butane and ethanol. These solvents are often left in the final product, which means of course it’s not Good Stuff!

3. Do they 3rd-party lab test their products?

This is a major one. If a company is not willing to openly share their lab results, then we aren’t willing to take the gamble. The testing should be done at an independent and ISO-accredited lab. Make sure the lab’s contact information is included and the date of testing was recent.

4. How much CBD/hemp oil is in each bottle?

This is usually the biggest factor in the pricing of CBD oil. Some brands have more milligrams than others. Having a therapeutic dose is important to get the desired effect. By calculating how many milligrams are in each dose, you’ll be able to calculate how quickly you will go through your bottle and what value you are getting for your buck.

5. What other ingredients are used?

We have seen everything from added sugar, alcohol, preservatives, artificial flavoring, and other unsavory ingredients used in CBD oils. Sometimes ingredients such as other herbs or melatonin are added. It’s important to check the label for unwanted ingredients as well as allergens.

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The Best CBD Oil We’ve Found

Our research led us to a small batch manufacturer based in California called Reed’s Remedies. After many conversations with the founder, we concluded that Reed’s Remedies provides the safest and most effective hemp oil products on the market.

Melissa, the founder of Reed’s Remedies, was searching for safe and effective ways to manage/treat her own health concerns. Unable to find formulations that met all of her criteria, she took her considerable knowledge and created her own products.

Sourcing & Distillation

Reed’s Remedies sources their hemp from a licensed farm in Colorado. The farm uses both sustainable and organic farming practices. They do not use any chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizer. They also do not use any chemical solvents to extract their hemp.

In fact, Reed’s is unlike any CBD company on the market because they use a patented distillation process to collect the CBD (and other desired plant compounds). Distillation creates the purest form of concentrate possible, plus it activates all of the plant molecules, which in turn makes it a fast-acting oil.

Components & Testing

Reed’s Remedies uses an independent and ISO-accredited lab to test all of their products. They test for potency, pesticides, residual solvents, mycotoxins, and heavy metals. We haven’t seen any other company be so transparent with their results, and each finished product contains a sticker which includes a batch number and expiration date. The test results can be found here.

Each bottle of Reed’s Remedies CBD oil contains 500 milligrams of distilled hemp, which is very concentrated compared to other brands we researched. One dose (or spray) contains almost 7 milligrams of distilled hemp. This high concentration means you don’t have to take too much at a time, and the bottle gives you 75 doses (which makes Reed’s a good value).

Reed’s Remedies has formulated each product with specific terpene profiles to target and enhance results towards specific health concerns.

The subject of terpenes is quite complex, but to put it simply they are another molecule found in hemp. Terpenes each have their own therapeutic properties and control the desired outcome of the formula. Reed’s makes each formula in small batches, and they are scientifically formulated to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Aside from distilled hemp and terpenes, the only other ingredient is Reed’s oils is Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT). Here’s why: CBD and terpenes need to be delivered in an oil base that allows for optimal, healthy absorption into our systems. MCT is a saturated fatty acid derived from coconut oil and has numerous health benefits. It is easily absorbed into the body making it the ideal carrier oil for CBD.

All of the compounds in Reed’s Remedies work synergistically to create what scientists call the “entourage effect.” The interactions between the plant’s individual components magnify the therapeutic benefits so that the medicinal impact of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Reed’s Remedies come in five formulas: Sleep, Calm, Relief, Detox, Desire, and Focus. We are thrilled to now offer Reed’s Remedies in our online store.

We also love Reed’s CBD balm for pain.

Other Brands of Safe CBD Oil

Of course, Reed’s isn’t the only brand of safe CBD oil. We’ve found a few other brands that we can call at least Okay Stuff, and will continue to add to this list as we identify the best CBD oil on the market.

1. Charlotte’s Web is one of the most well-known brands, and I know a lot of you are fans. Charlotte’s Web tests their US-grown hemp, and their formulas come in different strengths. Charlotte’s Web also makes a topical CBD as well as one for pets. One of the downsides to Charlotte’s Web is that they do not make specific formulas, and the higher concentration formulas are expensive. As an extract (rather than a distillation), Charlotte’s Web is slower to absorb, and reviews of its effectiveness are mixed. Some people complain of burning in the throat sensation with Charlotte’s CBD.
2. Good Goo makes some great safe topical CBD treatments, including a sleep balm that gets rave reviews from our customers.
3. Bluebird Botanicals is another third-party-tested brand, but it’s made of imported hemp. Like Charlotte’s, it’s an extract, which means it has slower absorption.
4. Plus CBD produces a variety of products, and the main downside is that users say it tastes horrible.
5. Highline Wellness is a popular brand, and we like them! They publish all of their independent testing results, and their gummy formulas are the easiest way we’ve found to take CBD.

CBD Oil Brands to Avoid

Due to a complete lack of regulation, anyone can create a CBD brand right now by buying untested extracts. This makes the list of Sneaky Stuff brands too long to list. A few brands that got into trouble lately (in some cases for spiking their formulas with synthetic cannabinoids) are as follows: Diamond CBD, Ultra CBD, and Lazarus Naturals.

Please respond below with any questions about Reed’s or CBD in general.

Stay sane,

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The post A Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Best CBD Oil appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Before I had children, I thought the whole fuss over kids with allergies and eczema had to be exaggerated.

So perhaps it was my karma, then, to have a child who struggled with skin conditions and sensitivities from day one. A bit of cradle cap turned into food sensitivities that morphed into bad eczema with food and cosmetic allergies. It has absolutely rocked and taken over our world.

I’m an acupuncturist. I come from a family of doctors and nurses. In treating our son’s ailments, we’ve tried both Eastern and Western medicine, but four years in, we’re still very much still on our quest to figure out what works.

The Search for an Eczema Cure

There is no universal magic ointment or balm that heals all. As parents, we have to advocate for our kids and trust our instincts, and this is the number one rule for helping our children with eczema and allergies.

One very helpful dermatologist (we saw about eleven in just three years) made the analogy to a pot of water. He said children with allergies and eczema will always have some water in the pot. The goal should be to not have the water boil over. How can we do this? We have to sleuth out the triggers.

Fortunately, we’ve discovered a bunch of triggers and treatments that HAVE improved my son’s eczema, and I am happy to be able to share them with the Gimme the Good Stuff community.

Eczema Caused by Food Allergies

There are growing studies showing a link between eczema and food allergies. In fact, recent research link a subtype of eczema to food allergy.

Immunologists are beginning to believe that “food allergens may reach immune cells more easily through a dysfunctional skin barrier affected by atopic dermatitis, thereby setting off biological processes that result in food allergies.”

That said, dermatologists may not be quick to recommend a food allergy test. The first thing I always recommend to my friends and clients who have discussed issues with their baby’s skin, is to get a food test!

Upon a recommendation, we were slathering coconut oil on our son’s skin to help with his cradle cap. This seemed to make it worse, and were confused how a beloved and natural oil could cause any harm.

After finally getting a food test, we found he was allergic to all tree nuts. And yes, this includes the almighty coconut! While it might not cure all, omiting sensitive foods can drastically help bring down inflammation and reactions.

Cosmetic Skin Test

Having a cosmetic test is another recommendation I wish I didn’t have to make! It’s tough, as it involves multiple patches on the back, and having to go in repeatedly to the doctor for one week. But only by doing this did we learn that Wyatt had two allergies, to propylene glycol and cocomide DEA. Note from Maia: Nothing we call Good Stuff has these ingredients, ever.

Upon further investigation, we read that these are two very common triggers for kids with eczema. Furthermore, if propylene glycol is used as a flavor or color for food, or carrier or solvent instead of a direct ingredient, it is considered an indirect ingredient and therefore not required to be listed on the nutrition label by the FDA.

Really reading labels and ingredients is a must. It’s daunting, to look at a label and see there are twenty plus ingredients, some of which have scientific names with six or more syllables. But take a pen, make a list, and start getting to know their names. There are repeated offenders which are sadly in many products that are triggers for eczema.

I do wish this could all be shared and discussed openly by dermatologists from the get go. We immediately saw a connection between when our son used these ingredients and having reactions. Systemic, generalized dermatitis has been reported after eating foods with propylene glycol, or from taking medications that contain it.

Best Clothing for Kids with Eczema

Kids with eczema should really try to stick to materials made of 100% cotton. It’s best for the skin.

And just like in foods, I’d recommend reading the ingredients of clothes, sheets, towels, and accessories. There are many outfits we thought were just cotton, but have a blend of materials. Even if it’s just 2% polyester, your child’s skin can react strongly.

Wool is especially bad for kids with eczema. And by the way, this means that cosmetic products with lanolin are also bad for kids with eczema!

The Best Creams for Eczema

We were familiar with CeraVe and Vanicream, as every doctor we met with had recommended the two.

We liked the ones without parabens or fragrance (and we learned to read the ingredients lists carefully–as the same company will make ones that have them and don’t, like CeraVe).

But I didn’t read or hear about ceramides until four years into our eczema journey, when a new dermatologist told us to look for creams with ceramides.

Ceramides are fatty lipid molecules that help keep our skin moist and soft. Moist and soft skin should be the goal, especially if your child has eczema or allergies. But children with eczema are often lacking ceramides. Hence the red, dry, itchy, and splotchy trademark of eczema!

Our favorite cream with ceramides is this one (which Maia calls “pretty much Okay Stuff, and worth a try for sure if your kid is suffering!”).

Despite the fact that it doesn’t contain ceramides, this Green Goo also brought Wyatt relief.

Most likely if your child has eczema, he or she has a combination of sensitivities. I know from experience this can at times feel like you’re trying to find a needle in a haystack. Or you feel like you need to just buy your child a bubble suit! But there are steps to take. Begin with testing and reading ingredients. Don’t be afraid to keep the doctor in the room longer with your questions. Because it’s possible to find answers — to keep your child’s pot of water from boiling over.

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My husband, Daylon, is the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology at Weill Cornell Medical College as well as a embryonic stem cell research scientist. My pregnant friends often ask to pick his brain about cord blood banking. 

Daylon recently emailed a friend of ours his opinion on private cord blood banking. I thought I would share that email with my readers, some of whom are probably wondering about cord blood banking themselves. Please feel free to post questions below and I will ask him to respond!

Most new parents have thought about whether or not to pay for private cord blood banking. I have fielded the question a lot over the past decade, and my answer hasn’t really changed: Cord blood banking is probably worth it if you can afford it.

Maia and I put both our kids’ blood in the public registry because it was a significant expense to bank it privately. We reasoned that our boys were a rare enough genetic combo that the blood would sit there in the registry if we needed it (that is probably not actually the case, unfortunately for us).

Ultimately, it comes down to grim mathematics. Cord blood is used to treat hematological malignancy–disease of the blood, mostly cancer, but also beta-thallasemia, sickle cell, auto-immune conditions, and other rare diseases.

If a child comes down with cancer in childhood, their own cord blood is a home run. It’s a perfect genetic match, with no trace of the disease in that pristine population of cells at birth. But this represents a very small sub-population.

Leukemia, a third of all childhood cancer diagnoses, will account for about 5,000 new cases in kids under twenty this year (out of roughly 60 million such young people). Depending on subtypes, survival of childhood cancer is already above 70% with existing therapies.

Autologous cord blood transplant has not been practiced widely because private banking is relatively new and indications are pretty rare. However, it may also be worth considering that there will probably be further applications for autologous cord blood that may be in play for adults once our kids are grown up. But that would mean that you are banking the blood for decades.

The Bottom Line on Cord Blood Banking

If you want to have an extra insurance policy for an unlikely event; and you understand that the extra insurance is not guaranteed but could also be extended to as yet undeveloped but amazing therapies for a broader list of unlikely events; and if you are willing to pay storage fees for what may be decades…then bank the cord blood. If not, don’t feel like you are screwing your kid over. Whatever you choose, this will be the least of your worries and won’t hold a candle to your joy, so don’t agonize over it.

Stay sane,

(but actually Daylon this time)

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Making Your Medicine Cabinet Healthier

Natural Remedies 

1) Vitamins & Supplements

Science clearly shows that vitamins and minerals themselves are important to health, but it has also shown that the best way to get vitamins is from our food. I look for vitamins and supplements that are made from organic sources and food-sourced. Here are three that we like. (And here’s another post on vitamins for kids.) 

2) Natural Remedies for Colds & Flu

Urban Moonshine remedies (there are many of them!) are made from only herbs. My favorite is the elderberry Immune Zoom, which I take at the first sign of a cold. For more specific symptoms related to upper respiratory issues, Urban Moonshine makes a Throat Spray as well as a Clear Chest Syrup. All of these are effective and bring relief when you need to get through an illness. 

Umcka Cold Care is the cold and flu remedy that Maia swears by. She uses Umcka and I use Urban Moonshine Immune Zoom when we get a cold and we both have had success so either one is helpful.

3) For Cuts, Bruises & Boo Boos

4) Strained Muscles

5) Pain Relievers & Fever Reducers

If I have pain from a headache or muscle strain that’s not tolerable, I reach for old-fashioned aspirin, since ibuprofen and acetaminophen seem to come with a greater chance of long-term side effects. Of course, you can’t give a child aspirin, so in general I try to avoid treating fevers at all. (Here is how Maia decides whether or not to treat a fever.) 

A Note on Antibiotics 

Just because I try to avoid antibiotics does not mean I think they are all bad. In fact, I think they are wonderful for bacterial illnesses, and am so grateful that we have them when we actually need them! However, I become concerned when people want to take antibiotics for the common cold virus, flu, or other viruses. I am sure I don’t need to tell you that antibiotics don’t do a thing for viruses, and of course come with side effects.

I look forward to hearing your comments and let’s all look forward to a healthy and happy 2018!

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When my sons are sick, we all suffer–they miss school, I can’t work, and no one sleeps. I’m judicious with the use of fever reducers and painkillers (here’s why), so some level of misery is inevitable. And in New York City, it’s hard to ignore how much exposure the kids have to germy surfaces, especially as babies (when mine can typically be found gumming the nearest subway pole).

With the flu dominating headlines right now, it’s hard not to worry about germs, so while you won’t see me with Purell in the sandbox, I have been known to surreptitiously spritz my kids’ hands with a natural sanitizer before they eat their snacks, hoping no onlookers are judging me.

I love CleanWell’s hand sanitizing spray.

Are antibacterial products toxic?

Most antibacterial products are decidedly toxic. Triclosan is the most popular ingredient in antibacterial hand- and dish-soaps, and lots of research has shown it to be an endocrine disruptor, with some studies suggesting it may also be harmful to the immune system.

Worse, bacteria that’s been exposed to triclosan is likely to become resistant to antibiotics, leading to the emergence of so-called superbugs. And get this: triclosan only works against bacteria—not viruses! And while obviously we want to protect our kids from salmonella, I suspect many of us use sanitizing soaps, wipes, and sprays with the hopes of staving of influenza and other miserable viruses.

CleanWell makes a great antibacterial hand soap that’s free of triclosan.

The good news is that triclosan will not be found in any leave-on sanitizers (like Purell, which uses alcohol to do it’s germ-killing job). The bad news is that products like Purell have other problematic ingredients, like retinyl palmitate, which may create free radicals when exposed to sunlight, and propylene glycol, which is linked to cancer and reproductive damage.

Any scented hand sanitizer likely contains hormone-disrupting phthalates, and while the ethanol (alcohol) isn’t so bad in itself, it enhances the penetration of the other yucky ingredients.

Do hand sanitizers prevent illness?

If you’re thinking that the risks of small amounts of these ingredients is worth the benefits of sparing your family from nasty illnesses, this may change your mind: while alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill flu and other viruses in a lab setting, in actual practice they seem to be pretty ineffective.

Most studies show no reduced risk of infection with the use of hand sanitizers, perhaps because most upper respiratory infections (like the flu) are more likely to be spread via airborne droplets—from sneezing and coughing—than from touching germy surfaces.

The bottom line on hand sanitizers

There is very good reason to wash your hands after using the bathroom (obviously) and before eating. Studies have consistently shown soap and water to be more effective than hand sanitizers at removing germs from hands.

Need another reason? Sudsing up removes a host of environmental toxins—from flame retardants to heavy metals to pesticides—that you and your children have likely touched while going about your day. My kids definitely know to wash their hands whenever they come home after a long day out and about in the city, and before they prepare or eat food.

I continue to carry a natural hand sanitizer in my bag for times when we can’t get to a bar of soap before they eat, but I’ve relaxed enough to let my boys hold onto the subway pole, even if another kid has just sneezed all over it.

Stay sane,

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The post Why Your Hand Sanitizer Doesn’t Stop the Flu (and Might Make You Sick) appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

The season of “school bugs” is upon us. Are you already fed up with runny noses, coughs, and stomach bugs?

In my last post I shared five strategies for staying healthy during the school year and promised that I’d follow up with some specific food tips. When it comes to staying healthy and recovering from illness, you really can’t ignore the importance of diet—for adults and kids alike.

But first I have to confess that I struggle with giving broad nutrition tips because people can be so different. In my decades-long learning about nutrition, I’ve learned over and over again that there is no single diet that’s optimal for everyone. And even if you find a way of eating that works really well for you, it will probably change with the seasons of the year and the seasons of life!

However, there are some basic things that apply to everyone, or at least the vast majority of us. Here are my top four eating tips to avoid cold-weather illnesses:

1. Eat More Warm Foods

Have you noticed that as fall sets in, you’re less excited about raw salads and frozen smoothies? Cooked foods are often easier to digest, especially in the cold months, when our bodies want to slow down. The better you digest your food, the more nutrients you derive from it. You can’t beat a good soup or stew for a satisfying and nutritious meal this time of year.

Tip: Outwit picky eating by packing a lot of veggies into a soup or stew, and pureeing it a little (or a lot!).

2. Eat More Probiotic Foods

Bitters can help ease stress-related digestive troubles.

These days we hear a lot about “gut health.” The more experts learn about the complex landscape of the gut, the more we understand that what goes on “down there” can affect everything from mood to weight to immunity.

You can help your gut keep you healthy by eating a variety of probiotic foods like sauerkraut, yogurt (dairy or vegan), and other fermented foods. For my favorite, super-simple sauerkraut recipe, plus info on probiotic supplements, check out this post.

Tip: Give your digestion an extra boost with Urban Moonshine Digestive Bitters. (Usually I take some before a meal, but if I’ve eaten too much (Thanksgiving!) or dined on something’s just not agreeing with me, I’ll take some after the meal.)

3. Eat Less Problematic Foods

When we eat foods that don’t agree with us—foods to which we have a dietary sensitivity, and/or foods that are just hard for us to digest—we add unnecessary stress to our bodies.

You can reduce the burden on your body and help your immune system be at its best by avoiding problematic foods, whatever they are for you. This can be a really individualized thing. I won’t say that everyone should avoid gluten or dairy, because they’re not problematic for everyone, but if you’re not sure, try going without for a while, and see how you feel.

Tip: Pretty much everyone can benefit from avoiding foods that contain pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and GMOs. Buy organic whenever you can.

4. Eat Less Refined Sugar

Maple sugar is my go-to sweetener, but I still use it sparingly!

Too much sugar can suppress our immune systems and feed unhealthy bacteria in the gut. But if you’re like most of us, cold weather increases your cravings for sweet things. The fact that sweets surround us from Halloween through the December holidays doesn’t help!

Unless you have a specific health problem, you don’t have to give up sweets altogether. I simply recommend that you be mindful of your sugar intake. Whether you’re an adult or a kid, sweets should be a treat, not a dietary staple. For healthier sweets, focus on fruit and natural sweeteners (like maple syrup or honey).

Tip: For healthy dessert recipes and inspiration, check out my posts on gut-friendly desserts, holiday cookies to bake with kids, and shockingly delicious baked apples.

What are your go-to foods for keeping yourself and your family healthy through the cold months of the school year? Please share in the comments below.

Here’s to a healthier fall and winter,

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Every year when school starts, the runny noses and illnesses begin, too. I used to be a classroom teacher, and I saw it every year.

Are you already fed up with the endless runny noses, coughs, and (worst of all) stomah bugs? Do you feel like you’re just bracing yourself for the next illness to strike your family? Do not despair! There are things you can do to help yourself and your family get sick less often and recover faster.

Those of you who know I’m a huge fan of healthy eating won’t be surprised to hear that some of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy relate to what you eat (and don’t eat). I’ll cover that in my next post.

For now, here are five other crucial strategies for staying healthy during the school year:

1. Take Tonics and herbal remedies.

We are always doing our best to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep, but we also rely on herbal tonics and remedies to keep us healthy. Using herbs for health goes with my philosophy of using food as medicine.

Of the many products out there, my favorite are those made by Urban Moonshine, an organic herbal apothecary based in Vermont. Guido Mase, the clinical herbalist at Urban Moonshine, was the herbal practitioner for our family when we lived in Vermont. Urban Moonshine products are safe for children over 2 years old, as long as the dose is sized-down according to their weight.

This time of year, we like:

• Immune Tonic helps keep our immune systems functioning optimally. It is a powerful preventative; the co-founder of Urban Moonshine gives it to her kids before each school day and swears that it keeps them healthy during those long Vermont winters. Immune Tonic contains some of my favorite roots (licorice, ginger, and astragalus) as well as reishi and maitake mushrooms. Note: Immune Tonic is not suitable for pregnant women. 
• Immune Zoom is a powerful, immune-boosting syrup, designed to act fast when there’s an illness lurking. I take it when everyone else around me is sick, or when I feel the first tingle of symptoms. It has echinacea and fresh elderberries with circulatory support from ginger, plus an extra kick from cayenne. Thanks to raw organic honey, it’s also delicious!
• Maia swears by Umcka to stop a cold in its tracks, and you can give this to children ages 6 and older.

2. Stay hydrated.

You’ve heard it a million times: most of your body is made up of water, and it’s essential to your health. Did you know that being well hydrated is also an important part of keeping your immune system functioning optimally?

Here are some tips to keep you and your kids hydrated:

• Keep a cup of water or a water bottle within your kids’ sight and reach so they can drink up when they’re thirsty.
• Drink water first thing in the morning and hydrate throughout the day so you don’t have to drink as much at night (and have to wake up to pee!).
• Water comes from your food, too—eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, steamed fruits and vegetables, smoothies, soups, etc.
• Diuretics like caffeinated drinks don’t necessarily count as a net negative against your water intake, but if you do consume them, make sure you get some extra water.
• If you order alcohol like beer or wine with a meal, get some extra water on the table, too.

Most importantly, make sure you’re getting safe water by filtering your water.

3. Keep hands clean on the go.

We all know that washing hands with soap and water helps us stay healthy and avoid spreading germs when we’re sick. But what about when you don’t have access to a sink? Most popular hand sanitizers are not only ineffective, but also toxic. Fortunately, we’ve found a couple of hand sanitizing products that are safe and effective for keeping hands clean on the go.

We like:

• Jackson Reece Mucky Mitts Hand Sanitizer and CleanWell Hand Sanitizing Spray are easy to stash in your bag and your kids’ backpacks.
• You can tackle grimy surfaces as well as hands with these little packs of CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes

4. Filter your air.

Indoor air is usually more polluted than outdoor air. Indoor air contaminants include floating particulates like pet dander and chemical vapors that off-gas from the materials our homes are built f

rom and the products we bring into them (like furnishings). When we’re sick, pathogens (germs) are added to the mix. Poor indoor air quality matters even more during the cold months when we spend more time inside and open our windows less often.

Because of this, we really like air filters. Good air filters can dramatically improve indoor air quality, and they kill viruses as well as bacteria. For more information, check out our guide to air filters.

As soon as someone in Maia’s home is sick, she cranks up her Austin Air Bedroom machine to high to kill circulating viruses.

5. Move your body (ideally outside).

Movement keeps our bodies healthy, and being active outside has the added benefit of fresh air. As a mom and grandmother, I’ve noticed that kids stay healthier and sleep better when they’ve had a chance to play outside. The same goes for adults, so I encourage you to take your own workouts outside whenever possible.

When Maia and Graham were little, I made sure to get them outside every day—even when it was really cold, and even though I’m not a cold-weather person. Nowadays, this is even more important because many kids don’t get outside much (or at all) during the school day!

If your child is in day care or school, advocate for time outside every day, and send them with the right clothing and gear. Teachers and caregivers often say that they can’t take kids outside because parents don’t dress them appropriately. You’ll want to make sure your children have adequate clothing, right down to their mittens and socks! (These “smart wool” socks are my favorite.)

What are your go-to strategies for staying healthy during the school year? Please share in the comments below.

Here’s to a healthier fall and winter,

P.S. Here are some other resources for either preventing or treating common illnesses:

1) This soothing spray for painful throats.
2) Maia’s thoughts on giving kids fever reducers.
3) A safe chest syrup for those never-ending coughs.
4) Help choosing the right humidifier. 
5) This goo for healing raw noses.
6) How to actually ENJOY an illness (don’t roll your eyes!).

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The post 5 Strategies for Staying Healthy During the School Year appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

By John, Certified Holistic Health Coach

If you know us by now, you know that we are always trying to find products and solutions that keep toxins away from our homes and families.

Sometime there are problems difficult enough to make us pay even closer attention. A good example of this is the problems with ticks and the diseases they spread.

Ticks & Pets

We walk our new puppy, Koa, twice a day. There is a great park nearby with a perfect place to take long walks by the river. Koa can be off-leash and we have a great time exploring nature. But nature isn’t always nice.

As Koa explores he runs through tall grass and brush, and ticks are a natural result. We are in the mid-Atlantic and Lyme disease is common.

Because we’d rather deal with these sorts of things in non-toxic ways, we thought that we would use herbal means to discourage ticks. And for simple mosquitos–especially if you’re not in a Zika-prone area, we like Green Goo’s Buge Be Gone product. (My wife, Suzanne, actually only uses this repellent and has not yet gotten any ticks!). But does non-toxic bug spray for ticks really work?

Non-Toxic Bug Spray for Ticks  Didn’t Work for (Some of) Us

Unfortunately, the herbal repellents we’ve tried have not been effective enough. Ticks continued to show up on the dog and on me!

The threat of Lyme and other very serious diseases has caused us to reconsider our approach. We take Koa to a holistic veterinarian. She told us that despite all her efforts to avoid typical tick repellents, she has finally decided to use Frontline (which contains the chemical fipronil) on her pets.

If any of you have seen the results of Lyme disease you’ll know that it is not pretty. We know folks who were not diagnosed early enough and they live with very serious disabilities. Lyme is also devastating to dogs–especially labs.

The breeder who sold us Koa is into all organic raw food and holistic care. They even sell an herbal insect repellent. But a few weeks ago they lost one of their dogs to Lyme (liver failure). They sent out an email informing their community that the time had come for them to recommend using standard repellents like Frontline.

We had simultaneously reached the same conclusion.

Why We Use Frontline

I have read on many websites that fipronil will potentially cause a wide range of maladies, and there is no doubt that it is worth being concerned about. The problem is that there are simply no good scientific studies showing an “all natural” solution.

Yes, there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence to warrant concern. There is, however considerable evidence that fipronil works and does not present an imminent threat to a healthy dog. Many folks in the holistic world disagree.

It is a difficult choice, but having spent decades in the northeast, we have seen Lyme disease up close and for us the stakes are simply too high. The choice is between something of concern and something far worse.

Koa is 4 months old. We expect to walk him out in nature for the next 15 years. Statistically, there is zero chance that he will not, at some point, come home with a tick that carries the spirochetes that produce Lyme disease. In fact, it is far more likely that he has already had at least one such tick on him. With 5 grandchildren who play with Koa, it is important that they too are protected. And speaking of people….

Ticks & Humans

Not only have we gone to the dark side and started using Frontline for Koa, but I’ve also started using Off! to protect myself. Yes, DEET is the Bad Stuff. But Lyme is worse and I’m just not convinced that herbal repellents are effective. Maia is also using Off! on her kids when they are in tick-heavy areas.

Here’s how we try to make my use of Off! a little less toxic:

• We don’t use the aerosol spray, but instead the spritz bottle.
• We try to mostly spray on clothing to avoid putting the stuff directly on our skin.
• We only apply it in well-ventilated areas (outside) and do our best not to breathe it in.
• We get the formula that isn’t loaded with a bunch of other toxins (synthetic fragrances, etc.).

Tips for Preventing Lyme Disease

You probably already know that you should check yourself and your children meticulously after being out in tick-heavy areas (having blond kids makes this easier!). Ticks don’t like cold water, so jumping in a pool after a hike through the woods is a good idea, as is taking a cold shower. You should launder any clothing that you’ve worn outside (or at least run through the hot dryer).

Here’s what else we’ve purchased to prevent getting bitten by ticks:

• A lint roller to run over your body when you come inside (this can grab ticks that haven’t yet dug in). 
• A natural loofah to use in the shower after coming indoors (this can scrape off ticks you haven’t seen).
• Tall white socks to tuck pants into when walking outside (this makes it easy to spot ticks you might pick up).
• Permethrin to use on your clothing, which will last through up to six washes (and yes, this is also a chemical!).
• Tick-repellent clothing, which is good for up to 70 washes.

We’d love to hear your solutions to this difficult problem. For now we are living with the lesser of two evils.

Stay sane,

P.S. There is one less toxic bug spray on the market that looks promising, but about which I haven’t learned enough to make an official recommendation. BioUD’s Insect Repellent is derived from a tomato plant and appears to be extremely effective at repelling ticks as well as mosquitos. Users do complain of the smell, but I just bought a bottle and am going to give it a try. Maybe this is the non-toxic bug spray for ticks that we’ve all been waiting for!

P.P.S. If you are only worried about mosquitos and not ticks, Maia wrote about Zika protection here.

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Written by Suzanne, Chief Health Officer and Resident Grandmother

After Maia posted about multivitamins last summer, we were flooded with questions about probiotics.

• Should you be giving your babies and kids probiotic supplements?
• And if so, which brands are the Good Stuff?

Probiotics are a complex and fascinating topic. I’m a Certified Holistic Health Coach, but not a physician, so I’m not here to dispense medical advice. I do have some information and tasty tidbits to share, including a two-ingredient recipe for my favorite probiotic food. I’ll also share the results of the kitchen-counter experiment we conducted to see if popular probiotic supplements do in fact contain live cultures.

What Are Probiotics?

People throw around the term “probiotics” a lot. What are they talking about? Basically, probiotics are beneficial little organisms, including some types of bacteria and yeasts.

Our bodies are full of such organisms, many of which have co-evolved with our species. Each of us has our own ecosystem of microorganisms—some of them beneficial, and some of them potentially harmful.

I think of this ecosystem as a diverse garden that’s unique to every individual. For optimum health, your garden should contain a wide variety of organisms, and there should be enough good ones to keep the bad ones in check.

Even the youngest babies have beneficial organisms in and on their bodies. These “good bugs” help us in a number of ways, including enhancing our digestion, our immune function, and even our mood. The types of bacteria we have in our guts may even affect our weight.

Before refrigeration was available, people fermented foods to preserve them. Traditional foods such as sauerkraut, yogurt, tempeh, and kimchi are natural sources of probiotics.

My ancestors survived the long and gruesome trip from Europe in part because they ate a lot of sauerkraut, which contributed to a healthy gut and robust immune system. These days, we can also get concentrated doses of specific strains of organisms by taking probiotic supplements. More on that in a minute.

What Are Prebiotics?

You may have also heard the term “prebiotics.” Prebiotics serve as the food for probiotic organisms. (Problematic organisms can also feed off prebiotics, but that’s a topic for another post!) These plant fibers are found in foods such as bananas, asparagus, beans and legumes, and garlic. Prebiotics are also often added to probiotic supplements.

Why Do Probiotics Matter for Babies?

Babies have immature immune systems. Although this may sound scary, and sometimes is, it’s mostly positive. It allows them to build their little ecosystems by acquiring healthy organisms in-utero, during birth, and after birth.

Exposing babies early to good organisms helps them get a healthy start. Healthy microbes enable good digestion and an immune system that fights off infections and resists the development of allergies.

Recent research illuminates how babies acquire microbes in utero (both placentas and amniotic fluid can harbor microbes), during vaginal birth, and through breast milk. If your baby has missed out on any early opportunities for natural microbe transfer, or you’re dealing with colic or other digestive issues, you might consider a probiotic supplement.

To Supplement or Not to Supplement?

If you’ve read any of my nutrition posts before, you know I’m a fan of whole-food nutrition. Real food—not tons of supplements—is the foundation of a healthy diet. Therefore, I suggest including naturally probiotic-rich foods in your daily diet.

I’ve been eating probiotic foods for decades, and my German ancestors ate them for generations before me. It helps that many of these foods are delicious! However, I know that not everyone is as excited as I am about fermented foods. It can be particularly tricky to get infants and toddlers to eat them.

Also, some situations call for a bigger dose of probiotics. Pediatricians commonly recommend probiotics for kids who have had a gastrointestinal illness and/or been on a course of antibiotics.

If you have questions or concerns about probiotics, you should take them up with your doctor or pediatrician, especially if there is a serious illness in question.

Cultivate a Healthy Gut

Regardless of where you’re getting probiotics from—food or supplements or both—there are a couple of smart things to do to help your gut (or your child’s gut!) be a place where good organisms thrive

1. Cut back on foods that are hard on your digestion and tend to feed unhelpful organisms. Such foods include processed grains, refined sugars, fried foods, and any specific foods that don’t sit right with you or your child (cow dairy, soy, and gluten are common triggers).
2. Increase the intake of whole foods, especially those plant-based foods that are rich in the prebiotic fiber that probiotics love.
3. Avoid taking/giving antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, and avoid antibacterial products that contain triclosan (Maia wrote about this scary chemical here.

Our Experiment: Are Probiotic Supplements Legit?

One of the reasons that I like food over supplements is that the supplement industry has a spotty reputation. It largely unregulated and this leads to products that may not be pure or effective. Many supplements don’t actually contain what the label says they do, and some are tainted with contaminants. Before you choose a specific supplement product, always do your homework before deciding on the brand.

When it comes to probiotic supplements, you want a product that contains live cultures. We came up with a simple experiment to determine if five popular probiotic supplements do in fact contain live cultures. We chose four child/infant formulas and an adult one based on which had the cleanest ingredients list, as well as recommendations made by our friend Dr. Alan Green:

• Udo’s Choice Children’s Probiotic
• Udo’s Choice Infant’s Probiotic
• Garden of Life RAW Probiotics Kids
• Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Organic Kids
• Nutrition Now PB8 Probiotic (for adults)

2021 UPDATE: If you’re looking for a clean brand for a GUMMY probiotic (much easier to get kids to take!), here is one we are taking and a version for kids.

We poured an equal amount of milk into five glasses and let the milk come to room temperature. We then sprinkled one “dose” of probiotic into each glass and waited 24 hours.

If live organisms are present, the probiotics should start interacting with the milk, turning it into something resembling yogurt. If this does not happen, it may be that the probiotics are not viable (alive). We are happy to report that all five probiotic formulas did indeed cause the milk to transform. Check out the photo! That is far beyond just separated milk–it’s alive!

Note: While all of these supplements appear to contain living organisms, our simple kitchen-counter experiment cannot vouch for the quantity of live organisms or what species are present.

DIY Sauerkraut (Just 2 Ingredients!)

Did you know that you can make your own probiotic foods with just a few simple ingredients? This recipe for sauerkraut calls for just two things—cabbage and salt. I sometimes make sauerkraut in a fermentation crock, but really all you need is a clean jar.

Sauerkraut is not just for adults. One of my grandsons loves it—maybe your kids will like it, too. In order to get the benefit of the probiotics, do not cook the sauerkraut before you eat it.

Sauerkraut

Adapted from Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon

Makes 1 quart

Ingredients:

• 1 medium cabbage, cored and shredded
• 2 tablespoons of sea salt

Instructions:
Mix shredded cabbage and salt in a bowl. Pound the mixture with a wooden pounder or a meat hammer for 10 minutes to release juices. Place in a quart-sized, wide-mouth jar and press down firmly with a pounder or meat hammer until juices come to the top of the cabbage. The top of the cabbage should be at least one inch below the top of the jar. Cover the jar tightly and keep it at room temperature for about three days before transferring to cold storage. The sauerkraut may be eaten immediately, but it improves with age.

If you want to experiment with making more fermented foods, these are my two favorite books about cooking and eating traditional foods:

• Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon
• The Nourished Kitchen: Farm-To-Table recipes for the Traditional Foods Lifestyle, by Jennifer McGruther

To your health,

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The post Baby-Biotics: What are the Best Probiotic Supplements for Babies & Kids? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Written by Maia, President

I hear from a lot of desperate parents whose babies and kids suffer from eczema. An estimated 10-20% of infants and kids have eczema nowadays. Maybe there is more awareness about it now (when I was a kid, we probably often passed it off as a bad case of “dry skin”), or maybe it is occurring more frequently in the population. Regardless, eczema is driving many of you crazy, and the eczema experience often becomes a physical and emotional ordeal for the whole family.

Parents I hear from are usually worried about two things—first, what’s causing the eczema, and second, what are the most effective natural eczema treatments for babies and kids? I can’t relate personally because my sons haven’t had eczema (although my oldest is allergic to peanuts, and allergies and eczema often go hand-in-hand), but I’ve listened to a lot of people on the front lines and done research.

In this post, I share what I hope are helpful perspectives and strategies, including a method developed by engineers with a suffering baby, pro tips from the genius herbalist at Green Goo (formerly Sierra Sage), and natural eczema treatments that we crowd-sourced from you, our community of readers.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of conditions involving irritated, inflamed skin. Itchiness is common, and babies with eczema often have crusty, oozy patches. Eczema often shows up in the first six months of life.

There are several different types of eczema and therefore many potential solutions (though conventional wisdom says that eczema can be controlled or treated, but not cured). As you probably already know, figuring out what’s going on with your child’s eczema can be a long process that involves a lot of guesswork and experimentation.

But Won’t My Kid Outgrow It?

Friends and health professionals (and the internet) may tell you that your child will outgrow eczema. This is probably nice to hear, and it is partially true; many kids with eczema do eventually stop having symptoms as they get older. But although the eczema may go away, the underlying problems that caused it can reappear as long-term issues like seasonal allergies (hay fever) and asthma.
You may have noticed that eczema tends to run in families with histories of these conditions. It’s not a coincidence; an allergy-prone immune system is the common thread. Eczema, hay fever and asthma are known as the “atopic triad.”

What Causes Eczema?

Eczema is generally understood as a symptom of the immune system reacting to an irritant. Sound vague? This is because eczema is a broad term that describes a wide variety of skin problems with different origins. Also, even the same type of eczema can affect people in different ways. Eczema is complicated.

Tallow-based laundry soap works as well as detergent and may not trigger eczema.

The Detergent Theory

I wasn’t totally satisfied by the mainstream explanations (or lack thereof) for what causes eczema. Then a client of mine led me to an intriguing theory by a parent-activist named A.J. Lumstaine.

In the early 2000s, A.J. and her husband had a baby with a bad case of eczema, and conventional treatments weren’t helping. A.J. and her husband are both engineers, so they applied their engineering minds to the problem and eventually discovered that their son was sensitive to detergents. Not just laundry and dish detergents, but the category of chemicals known as detergents.

Detergents can be derived from either petroleum or plant sources and have become ubiquitous in all kinds of products—from personal care products to household products to even foods—since the 1970s. Detergents are not in and of themselves bad—some are toxic, and some are benign. But it seems that for some people, detergents are the cause–or at least an exacerbating factor—for eczema.

According to A.J.’s theory of “detergent-reactive eczema,” synthetic detergents can compromise the skin’s natural barrier, making it more permeable. Increased permeability means that stuff outside the body, which normally couldn’t get in, can now penetrate the skin, causing the immune system to develop new sensitivities. As a result, exposure to mold, pollen, bacteria, household dust, pet dander, etc., may cause an eczema flare-up.

MamaSuds makes a dishwasher soap that’s detergent-free.

Increased permeability of the skin also means that stuff inside the body–like its natural moisture–can get out, leading to dryness. Super sensitive, dry skin is the hallmark of eczema.

A.J. started a website in the early 2000s to share her family’s story and the results of the exhaustive research and experimentation they’ve done. She developed an eczema solution that she calls “simple but not easy” because it involves removing all detergents and detergent residues from your home environment—including the products that all members of the family use. It’s a big undertaking, but it’s worth considering if your child is suffering and you’re still searching for answers.

A.J. believes that detergent-reactive eczema accounts for 20-40% of eczema cases in infants. Removing detergents can help kids suffering from other kids of eczema, too. A.J. also shares information and solutions related to these other types of eczema on her website.

Natural Eczema Treatments

Regardless of whether you’re able to eventually “solve” your kid’s eczema like the Lumstaines did, you’ll still have some symptoms to deal with. Here is a compilation of (mostly) natural eczema treatments based on our research and the hard-earned wisdom of some of our readers:

• Try a medicinal balm: Conventional eczema treatment involves steroid creams (for inflamed patches), antibiotics (for skin infections), and moisturizers (for dryness). A well-formulated medicinal balm, like Dry Skin Care from Green Goo (formerly Sierra Sage), can hit all these bases without the yucky ingredients and side effects. (See below for more information on why Dry Skin Care has a cult following among people dealing with eczema, and some pro tips on how to use it.)

• Try coconut oil or shea butter: One reader said her friend had excellent results when she used organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil on her son’s skin. Coconut oil is good for eczema because it has moisturizing, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Another natural wonder with similar properties is shea butter. Look for shea butter that is 100% natural and unrefined.

• Use a gentle soap/shampoo: Several of you wrote in to give the name of what you feel is the best soap for eczema. These include Ruby-Blue Bunny Shampoo & Wash, Babo Botanicals products, and Beautycounter’s new line of baby products. Just be aware that most of these DO contain a detergent of some kind, even if it’s a safe one. Most of you know to avoid sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate, but what about the newer “coconut-derived” detergents like decyl glucoside? While studies suggest this ingredient is safe, it still falls in the “detergent” category. Which is why you might want to try this next suggestion if you’re still battling eczema after using gentler soaps…

• Use old-fashioned soap: The best soap for eczema is made with simple, natural ingredients. Our tallow-based soap for babies is formulated for sensitive skin and can be used for both skin and hair. If you’re trying to rid even your clothing of detergent residue, try Tandi’s tallow-based laundry powder, which is made of old fashioned soap, not detergent. (If you like liquid laundry soap, here’s a good one that’s free of detergent.) Another popular real soap company is Dr. Bronner’s, which my mom used to wash her hair, dishes, and even her car in the 1970s!

• Apply a lotion immediately after bath time: I’m not a fan of the ingredients, but one of our readers swears by Aquaphor to lock in moisture. Another reader gets good results with Babo Botanical’s Moisturizing Lotion, which has an ingredients list that I approve of. Others have had luck with Beautycounter’s Baby Daily Protective Balm and Baby Soothing Oil.

• Try urine therapy: Yep, you read that right. Urine, which contains urea, along with enzymes, hormones, minerals, etc., can help treat eczema and other skin conditions. One mom shared with us that her daughter’s skin improved when she started applying a cotton round saturated with her daughter’s urine to the affected skin, followed a few hours later by Medicine Mama’s Bee Magic. The pee really worked; Medicine Mama’s Bee Magic didn’t have any effect on its own. It makes sense that urine would help with eczema, because urea is a common ingredient in cosmetic products thanks to its moisturizing and exfoliating properties.

• Use only natural laundry detergent: Natural laundry detergents do the job without harsh chemicals that can irritate skin. Make sure you use natural detergent for everyone’s clothes and all of your household linens. As I mentioned above, if you’re looking for a soap-based (detergent-free) laundry option, you might try our best-selling Tandi’s Naturals Concentrated Laundry Soap or MamaSuds detergent-free liquid soap.

• Soften water: Some research from Europe and other countries suggests a link between hard water and eczema. Soft water alone might not fix an eczema problem, but it can be part of an effective treatment plan (and may help prevent eczema in the first place). One of our readers saw a dramatic improvement in her son’s eczema, in less than a week, when they installed a water softener, started using Babo lotion, and switched to Green Shield laundry detergent.

Natural Eczema Treatment Tips from a Pro

Jen Scott of Green Goo

Just about every approach to eczema treatment—natural or conventional–involves some kind of topical treatment. Our most popular product for treating eczema is Dry Skin Care from Green Goo (formerly Sierra Sage). We talked with Jen Scott, owner of Green Goo and the genius herbalist behind its products, to find out more about Dry Skin Care and get her tips on how to treat eczema with the medicinal ointment.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, eczema is seen as a condition involving heat. So oils that have neutral qualities, rather than warming ones, help soothe affected skin. Jen chose neutral olive oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil as the base for Dry Skin Care.

But it’s the calendula flowers in Dry Skin Care that Jen calls “the powerhouse” of her formula. Calendula helps soothe and heal eczema patches thanks to a combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-yeast, and other anti-microbial properties. Jen believes so strongly in Dry Skin Care that she offers a guarantee; if you go through a whole container without seeing results, you qualify for a refund (so let us know if you buy some through us!).

Jen shared some great pro tips for natural eczema treatment for babies and kids:

• Empower your little patient: Let toddlers and kids apply the ointment themselves, especially if they are in discomfort and have developed distress about their eczema. This helps them feel safe and more in control of their condition.
• Start strong: When you first start using Dry Skin Care, get ahead of the inflammation by applying the ointment two to three times a day. After that, use it once a day. You only need a small amount–it’s a concentrated, medicinal salve, not a lotion.
• Treat skin right, but get to the root, too: Products like Dry Skin Care are great for treating eczema symptoms. You should also investigate food sensitivities or whatever else might be the root cause of the condition. Indeed, one of our readers said that cutting out wheat has been the most helpful measure to deal with her kid’s eczema. Another reader has seen good results from using goat milk instead of cow milk. If you are breastfeeding a child with eczema, cutting out the problematic foods from your own diet is helpful, too.

Preventing Eczema

Most information on “preventing” eczema is about making flare-ups less frequent and less severe. But can eczema be prevented altogether? Maybe. Here are two things to try:

• Take a probiotic supplement while pregnant and give your infant probiotics, like this product, especially if eczema and other allergic conditions run in the family.
• A.J. Lumstaine also suggests limiting babies’ exposure to detergents early on in life by washing dishes with detergent-free (soap-based) products. MamaSuds makes a detergent-free automatic dishwasher soap. It’s not for everyone, but some people love this tallow-based solid dish soap.

Please share what has (and hasn’t!) worked for your own children’s eczema in the comments below.

Stay sane,

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Written by Maia, President

Even those of us in wintery climates can’t ignore headlines about the mosquito-born Zika virus. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency as experts scramble to understand more about the virus.

Zika’s certainly on my radar. My family and I are escaping the snow to go to the Bahamas next week, and in May, I’m traveling to Nicaragua for a wedding. I’m not planning another pregnancy, but many of my friends are worried about Zika. And apparently it’s not only a concern for women and their babies. Zika is also linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune condition that involves temporary paralysis and can be serious, even fatal.

What About Non-Toxic Bug Spray for Zika?

When it comes to fending off pesky mosquitoes, I normally shy away from chemical insect repellents and recommend this natural bug spray.

But Zika is a different story. To ward off mosquitoes carrying serious health risks, I would feel better with something stronger. Fortunately, experts are saying that you don’t have to resort to DEET, which is a neurotoxin.

Better Than DEET for Zika Protection

It turns out that Picaridin—a milder chemical–may actually perform better than DEET when it comes to Zika protection. Consumer Reports showed that Picaridin is more effective at repelling the Aedes mosquito, the type that carries the Zika virus.

Here’s more good news: unlike DEET, Picaridin did not cause cancer in animal studies, nor did it appear to lead to reproductive damage. It’s also less likely than DEET to irritate your skin.

Human studies on Picaridin are lacking, and Picaridin is by no means entirely non-toxic, but I would feel okay using it in a place where there are Zika-carrying mosquitoes, given the risks of this virus.

Check out Picaridin products like Sawyer’s Fisherman’s Formula, which you can get on Amazon. I would never apply this product directly to the skin, but plan to put it on our clothing when we are in mosquito-heavy areas.

Stay sane,

P.S. I also read that the Aedes variety of mosquito likes the smell of feet, so you might consider shoes and socks for yourself or your kids if you’re in a Zika-affected region of the world.

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Written by Suzanne, Chief Health Officer and Resident Grandmother

My health coaching clients often ask me about adding supplements to their diet, and as a routine, I don’t recommend them. This isn’t because I am against supplements categorically, but I resonate more with Michael Pollan’s philosophy on health: “Eat food, mostly plants, not too much.”

I have a lot of respect for science, but I think that it can be hard to transfer laboratory science into healthy ways to feed our bodies. I feel healthy when I eat a meal of fresh, whole food from a farm; I don’t necessarily feel healthy when I reach for a bottle of vitamins made from combinations of isolated chemicals in a lab. (Here’s more on how we feel about vitamins and what’s the Good Stuff).

A Non-Supplement Supplement: Urban Moonshine

So while I don’t usually take much in the way of pill-form supplements or vitamins, I do love the idea of using plants to support everyday health and wellness, just like I use food to support my health.

My favorite plant-based supplement line is Urban Moonshine, which we are now carrying in the new Herbal Apothecary section of our online store. Urban Moonshine’s mission is to bring herbal remedies out of the cupboard, onto the counter, and into everyday life.

Guido Mase, chief herbalist at Urban Moonshine, is a clinical herbalist, educator, and author of The Wild Medicine Solution. Several years ago, I consulted with Guido, and was so impressed by his expertise.

Urban Moonshine draws from traditional herbal medicine, which recommends using three simple classes of plants daily as part of your eating and drinking:

• Aromatics, which we often use in our kitchens, open and relax us. These include ginger, garlic, peppermint and more.
• Bitters, which are often lacking in our modern diet, stimulate digestion and improve the function of the liver.  These include dandelion, burdock, and orange peel, among others.
• Tonics, such as reishi mushroom and astragalus root promote overall health. NOTE: Tonics are NOT for use during pregnancy.

How I Use Urban Moonshine Tonics

With four grandchildren, I need to keep my immune system strong. Tonics are a great way to do this. I also take digestive bitters, because I am convinced that good digestion is the key to good health. I have been very pleased with both products, and therefore, decided to offer them to our customers. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I’ve been religiously taking the immune tonic while taking care of sick grandkids since the school year started (including several nasty colds and a stomach bug), and I have yet to get so much as a sniffle!

If I become ill, I will turn to the herbal remedies that offer immediate relief, such as the Immune Zoom Elderberry, Clear Chest Syrup-Bronchial Support, Aller-Blast Healthy Eyes, Nose, Sinus, and Throat Spray. (These are for immediate need rather than preventative use.)

Feel free to contact me with questions about our Herbal Apothecary and don’t take my word for it–try some Urban Moonshine yourself!

Be well,

Taking Immune Zoom at the first sign of illness will shorten the duration of your cold and reduce its symptoms*.

$13.00Buy Now

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before use.

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Written by Suzanne, Chief Health Officer and Resident Grandmother

It’s hot and so humid here in Pennsylvania, and most people in my town think I am crazy for not having central air conditioning in my home.

Having lived in the mountains of Vermont for most of my adult life, air conditioning was never an issue. While it was warm during the middle of the day, mornings and evenings were cool and comfortable.

Here in Pennsylvania, it’s pretty hot. But I find places with air conditioning too chilly, and after a long cold winter wearing layers of clothing, I relish the summer heat!

Here’s why I hate air conditioning, and even think it’s bad for our health:

1. I want to wear my cute summer clothes. Finally, after being cold straight through April, I get to dress in sleeveless tops and dresses and wear sandals! Why do I want to go into a building that is so chilly and I feel like I need a sweater or a blanket draped over my legs? I carry a sweater in my car just in case I need it to ward off the cold in a supermarket or restaurant–even when it’s 90 degrees outside.

2. I want to enjoy fresh air inside my home. Houses are closed up all winter long, and if you have central air, you continue to keep your house closed all summer, too! I like to open windows in the evening and early morning and smell the fresh air, which also reduces indoor air pollution (studies show that indoor air is often more toxic than outdoor air). Admittedly, during the day I have to close the windows and blinds on particularly hot days, but I like to be able to keep my home open and fresh for at least some portion of each day.

3. I need to feel the heat to eat for the season. I am a firm believer in eating seasonally, and when I am in a cold building all day, I get confused about what foods I want to eat. This time of year, I love to eat cooling foods like cucumber salad, melon soup, gazpacho, peaches sliced with cream, steamed green and yellow beans, zucchini pasta, and fresh-made vegetable juices. For protein, I find myself drawn to tofu, fish, or perhaps deviled eggs. It seems unnatural to eat heavy proteins and foods that create heat in the body this time of year. Summer is a great time to increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables that are so prevalent during the summer months, and heavy pasta dishes, meats, and stews are unappealing if we allow ourselves to feel the heat.

4. I love showers! In the winter, I prefer baths, but at this time of year, I am taking three showers a day (quick ones, in an effort to be eco-friendly!). I love taking at least one cold shower a day as well, usually right before bed. Another reason I love taking so many showers is for the opportunity to try all the wonderful products we are now selling in our store (sorry for the shameless plug!). Our rainwater bar soaps by Farmaesthetics are pure luxury. These 100% natural herbal soaps are handmade in small seasonal batches for the purest shower experience around. My current favorite is the moisturizing aloe and lemongrass bar. If you prefer body wash, Acure’s ultra-hydrating coconut and pumpkin wash smells incredible and is super moisturizing.

So, perhaps even if you do have an air conditioner you’ll try turning it off for a and join me in soaking up this heat! Soon enough it will be time for making soups and stews and wearing scarfs and sweaters.

Be well,

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Written by Maia, President

Sorry for the lack of new blog posts this and last week! Our family business has been suffering from a multi-generational cold from hell. It started with our shipping manager’s grandson, and quickly spread to my mom, then onto my children and then me. From there, I infected nearly everyone I came into contact with–it was no joke of a virus and Wolfie’s nose is STILL running two weeks into it!

Green Goo is a miracle balm for everything from scrapes to bruises to dry skin.

Anyway, one upside to the misery was that I discovered yet another use for one of my all time favorite natural products–Sierra Sage Green Goo. This stuff is what we use for every boo-boo (I swear it even makes my bruises heal faster), and now it’ll join my arsenal of cold and flu products. Here’s why:

You know those ultra luxurious tissues that seem to be almost lubed up with aloe vera gel? Yeah, well they are of course loaded with a bunch of chemicals (not actual aloe vera) to make them such a soothing treat for your raw nose. I use sometimes use Nose Nuzzles for my kids, but don’t like wet wipes for myself, so usually am left scratching the sh*t out of my nose with box after box of Trader Joe’s tissues.

This week, my nose is all red and flakey, and I slathered some Green Goo on it yesterday (this was a gorgeous look, let me say). I felt immediate relief, and I reapplied at bedtime and woke up with a normal-looking nose–seriously! Here’s where you can learn more about the miracle that is Green Goo.

Stay sane and healthy,

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Written by Maia, President

My big project for the next few weeks is going through all our Safe Product Guides and updating each one with additional information I have learned since their original publication, plus of course adding new products that have entered the market (or changed their formulas) and are Good, Bad, or Sneaky.

A recent email I received from a reader (pasted below) prompted me to start with the Safe Nipple Cream Guide.

In addition to a reminder that lanolin creams should be avoided, the new Safe Nipple Cream Guide features a couple more products that I’ve rooted out as The Sneaky Stuff.

Thanks as always to all of you who write to me with your own stories. I hope the following reader email will help someone with similar symptoms who is unable to find answers.

Stay sane,

Read our Safe Nipple Cream Guide

This lanolin-free nursing balm is the Good Stuff!

Hi Maia-

I just wanted to tell you I was so happy to find your article about lanolin and the problems with it!  During my fifth pregnancy I developed an absolutely horrible lesion, raw-flesh based rash on both my nipples, which ultimately required me to stop nursing completely because the doctors thought I either developed a severe infection, or worse: Paget Disease (it was THAT horrible).

I had two rounds of IV antibiotics, multiple visits to a cancer center, along with guilt and despair beyond belief because NO ONE could figure it out.  After months of this I decided to turn to a dermatologist because nothing was working.  The course that I was told to follow after the IV treatments, sonograms to determine nothing was wrong internally and a biopsy to confirm it was in fact NOT cancer was to continue to treat my sore, inflamed open nipples with lanolin.

I went to the dermatologist figuring they would tell me to continue to “stay the course,” and that eventually whatever it was would clear up. He told me something completely different… He looked at my nipples and said, you are using lanolin aren’t you?  I said yes.. I was told to keep my nipples moist to avoid friction.  He gave me a combo steroid/antihistamine cream and said throw the lanolin away!  I did, and within a week my nipples were significantly better, within a month the rash and all were completely gone!  On my follow up visit with the dermatologist he said I had developed an allergic reaction to lanolin that tends to build up in your system over time (most likely from nursing over the years) and your body could no longer tolerate it.  It’s common among women with wool allergies as well as those allergic to synthetic materials such as latex.

That was roughly 3 years ago, and sadly at the time, the lanolin issue was well “talked about.” For years it was pushed to help save nursing moms, to “relieve” them; pushed by doctors, nurses, nursing consultants.  Everyone.  I was devastated that I spent that much time and pain over a product that I was allergic to.  I will never forget what I consider unnecessary pain and the unfortunate demise of nursing my child because a few “professionals” chose to ignore the simple truth in front of them.

I apologize for the longevity of this response, but again – I really did want to say keep up the wonderful articles and know that they truly help so many!

Best,
L.

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Written by Maia, President

Let me start with this: I have chosen to vaccinate my children. That said, I’m annoyed by the media coverage of this issue and also by the viciousness coming from many pro-vaxxers.

My anti-vax friends are pretty quiet these days (and I wish they wouldn’t be), but not so with the pro-vaxers. These moms are not only keeping their kids out of playgroups—even here in New York City where there is no measles outbreak yet—but they are also furious with anyone who admits any doubt about the long-term safety of the standard vaccination schedule. In fact, if you question the recommendations of the AAP at all, you are anti-science and basically a climate-change denier and a creationist, apparently.

What’s up with this?

As I have written before, vaccinations are my least favorite parenting decision, and the one over which I have agonized most. In the end, it made sense to me to vaccinate my kids, but we spaced the shots out and seriously delayed some of them (like the hep-B immunization, which is recommended at birth). Does my decision to vaccinate my children mean that I think anyone who skips the MMR vaccine is an anti-science nutbag who gets all health advice from Jenny McCarthy? Um, no.

I didn’t want to be completely silent during a time when it seems people want to talk about little else, so here is a summary of my stance:

• I am always going to be skeptical of the medical and pharmaceutical industry, mostly because they have a long history of retracting their recommendations (antibiotics, mammograms, hormone-replacement therapy, etc.).
• This doesn’t mean that the AAP and CDC are wrong about vaccine recommendations, but to me it means that it’s not outside of the realm of possibility that they could be wrong.
• Overall, I would describe myself as agnostic about many vaccines–I don’t know that they carry with them any long-term risks, but the assurances of the medical establishment doesn’t entirely reassure me.
• All this said, I believe in vaccinating, since the risks of vaccines are mostly unknown, whereas the risks of the diseases they prevent are real. I am particularly in favor of the vaccines for measles, polio, pertussis, Hib, and Pc.
• I wish pediatricians would be more willing to discuss the ins and outs of each vaccine and the disease against which it protects. Instead, most simply insist that there is zero potential for any long-term downside to vaccines, and—in the words of our first pediatrician—it’s “Russian roulette” to delay a single shot, even something like hepatitis B for a newborn. I think many parents would actually opt IN to vaccinating against some of the scariest diseases if they could get better, more detailed information from experts on the risks, benefits, and unknowns.

(If you want to hear people articulate my feelings on this better than I can do myself, here’s a clip of Bill Maher and Marianne Williamson discussing measles and vaccinations the other night).

Stay sane and healthy,

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By Suzanne (“Nana”)

As a health coach, I work with lots of busy moms–and most of them complain of feeling exhausted. While getting more and higher quality sleep is vital to feeling good during the day, there is a lot you can do with what and how you eat to give yourself more energy. Here are the tips that my clients tell me have been most helpful.

1. Eliminate packages and containers (read: processed foods). Many of my mom clients have a habit of grabbing chips or crackers or whatever is convenient because they are often eating with one hand and holding a baby in the other. Unfortunately, I have seen again and again that the quickest way to deplete your energy and put on extra weight is by eating processed foods, which have low nutritional value and thus provide fewer energy and health benefits. Examples of little packages that you might think contain healthful foods:

• Small containers of fruited yogurts (lots of sugar)
• Granola bars (again—sugar overload)
• Whole grain crackers (processed grains and processed fats)
• Baked chips (empty carbs and processed oils)

Instead of snacks that come in plastic packages, opt for whole foods. Think of this as food that existed 100 years ago. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, or sprouted breads, and proteins all count as whole foods in my book! I will opt for an apple with almond butter, a carrot with some dip (here are my favorite healthful dips), green peppers with peanut butter, nuts and raisins, hard boiled eggs, raw milk cheese, a handful of toasted seeds, or soaked and dehydrated nuts. These foods make great snacks and will hold you over when you don’t have healthy leftovers or haven’t prepared a meal. Which brings me to my next tip….

2. Be Prepared. As a child I was a good little Girl Scout, and my favorite motto was BE PREPARED! In many ways I haven’t changed! I always advise my clients to think ahead when it comes to food, and this is particularly true for my clients who are mothers of young children. Aim to keep plenty of fresh food in your refrigerator, and a pantry full of staples for throwing together a quick meal. Because I am super busy with my business, I have very little time for cooking. I make sure that I go to the farmers’ market at least once a week, and I keep my fridge stocked with whatever seasonal vegetables and fruits are available. For example, right now it is fall on the East Coast, and I have kale, spinach, lettuce, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, peppers, onions, garlic, and celery. I also have various fresh apples and I always keep lemons year round in my fridge. For protein, I always have eggs, and at the moment I have a fresh chicken breast and some raw milk cheese in the fridge. My pantry includes whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, oats, and millet, and various dried beans. I also always keep on hand some dried fruit like currents, raisins, and dates, and a few frozen bananas and berries for smoothies. For fats, I always have olive oil, grass-fed butter, ghee, and coconut oil on hand. I can make a salad, soup, green drink, smoothie green or fruity, or a more traditional meal if I like with these essential ingredients. I often plan my evening meal the night before or in the morning so I don’t finish work at the end of the day and then wonder what I am doing for dinner.  With practice and planning, eating healthy at home doesn’t have to be time consuming, and one of the benefits is lots of energy to sustain me throughout my busy day.
3. Eat seasonally. Eating food that is in season is important for digestion and maximizing nutrients, which translates to enjoying most energy and health from your food. The local food movement has grown, and for good reason! Food tastes better when it’s grown closer to home and it doesn’t lose as many nutrients due to shipping distances. Food also regulates your internal environment, and this affects how you adjust to your external environment. Most of us get a sense of this when we crave soups on a cold day. Certain foods like raw salads are cooling to the body, so when it’s hot outside those foods make sense, but if you eat too many raw vegetables in the winter, you may find yourself cold and uncomfortable and unable to adjust to the change in the temperature. The easiest way to start to do this is by shopping at your local farmers markets and taking notice of the foods that are in season. Maia teases me because I am a real stickler about this–I only eat fresh tomatoes in the summer, and I never eat asparagus except in the spring! Make every bite count nutritionally, and you will have more energy than you can expend!
   

   Photo courtesy of www.mindbodygreen.com

4. Detox every day. This is my favorite tip, and I do it every day. Whatever time you finish eating at night, don’t eat for at least 12 to 14 hours after this. In the evening, your digestive fire is not as strong, so after 8:00 p.m. in the evening is starts cooling down even more. I try to finish my eating by 8:00 p.m. and then I don’t eat until at least 8:00 a.m. the next morning. And as soon as I awaken, I drink warm lemon water to flush my system even more. Your body will detox naturally while you sleep, and then you’ll do further flushing in the morning (even if you opt for plain water). If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, squeeze in the water first! On evenings when I dine later, I wait even longer to “break my fast” in the morning.
5. Breathe and tap into your feminine power and energy. Rachael Groover, author of Powerful and Feminine, tells us women to be “in” our bodies. I know as a busy entrepreneur I spend a lot of time in my head! When I forget to drop into my body when I eat, I don’t chew my food, breathe, or really taste my food. This can affect my weight (I eat more than I need to) and my energy (I am not chewing and maximizing the nutrients). Groover says that we all have a distinct masculine essence and a distinct feminine essence within us, and the balance varies from person to person. When we are moving from our more masculine essence, we are activating our upper body and gestures are harder and more rigid. When we move from our feminine essence we send attention to the center point of your pelvis, your “womb space,” and down your legs, and activate the energy in your hips and breathe into your belly. This will bring your energy into your body and you become more present to the moment. As you breathe, relax and soften the top part of your body. If you want to learn more about Rachel and her work, go to FeminineMeditations.com or www.theyinproject.com.

Be well,

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By John, Certified Holistic Health Coach

I don’t know how it is where you are, dear reader, but it is officially hot where I am. Really hot…and humid. We’ve all heard about the importance of staying hydrated, and in this kind of weather it is even harder to do. Yes, the heat is a problem, because it causes us to sweat and therefore we can quickly lose a lot of water…but heat combined with humidity causes our sweat glands to go into hyper-drive.

Here’s why:

Unlike many other animals, we humans sweat as a way of maintaining a healthy core temperature. Whenever a liquid evaporates into a gas, cooling occurs. In a humid environment, however, the air around us is so laden with water molecules that it cannot take up much more. This means that, however much we might perspire, our sweat fails to easily evaporate on our skin…thus failing to cool us down. Your body’s response is to kick perspiration levels up higher and higher. The end result is that in hot, humid conditions, we lose a lot of water, and thus it is critical to drink a lot more water during those times.

The Drying Effects of Air Conditioners

You might think that because you spend most of your time inside with the air conditioning on,  dehydration isn’t an issue. In reality, one of the main functions of air conditioning is to remove moisture from the air. This results in a rapid drying of our skin, hair, even our eyes!

Ths bottom line: Whether you spend your summer in air conditioning or not, staying hydrated by drinking a lot of clean water is super important. We recommend filtering all your drinking water (here’s why), and carrying it in stainless steel or glass containers only (here’s why).

Stay sane,

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$25.00 – $27.00Buy Now

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Admittedly, one of the reasons I haven’t gone there with vaccines is that it’s such a loaded issue.  I have friends, readers, and clients on both sides of the debate who believe with utter conviction that the opposing side is not only incorrect in their viewpoint, but culpable in illness and even death of children.

But there is a bigger reason that I don’t broach the topic of vaccines and it’s this: Gimme’s mission is to help you provide a safer environment for your kids while maintaining your sanity. And decisions about vaccines make me crazy.

I’ve found that many holistic parenting choices came totally naturally (pun!) to me–breastfeeding longer than a year (or two), co-sleeping, not circumcising, skipping the epidural during labor (okay, that one wasn’t so easy, but still felt really great when it was over!).

Even when I opt out of the most natural path, I feel okay about that, too–Wolfie spends time in a jumparoo, Felix has loads of plastic toys, I use my Bugaboo more than my Ergo, and I am even back to using disposable diapers (wah–a little guilt on this one, but I have justified it to myself.) But vaccines–these guys I agonized over, never feeling entirely comfortable with any of my options.

In the end, I have chosen to vaccinate my children, but I space the vaccines differently from the recommendations of the AAP, and differently even from the alternative schedule provided by Dr. Sears.

An easy choice: skipping the vaccine for hep-B (which is essentially an STD) at birth. But spacing out the DTAP shot so that my infant wasn’t fully protected from whooping cough when he’s most vulnerable should he catch it? That wasn’t without excessive worry and more excessive hand washing. Jabbing a healthy toddler in the perfect, chubby thigh with the ever-controversial MMR vaccine? That one I didn’t feel so good about, either. UPDATE: My mother-in-law is a physician, and she pointed out the following after reading this post: “About hep b—it is not really an STD.  It is ubiquitous in China (or used to be) because hep B pos mothers transmit it during birth, just like HIV.  It is also conceivable it can be transmitted by  hep b positive fathers also—hence, foregoing vaccine is fine as long as both parents/partners know they are hep b negative.”  Thanks, Diane, for the important clarification!

Speaking of whooping cough (pertussis), if you are a good neurotic mom like I am, you know that the last few years have seen outbreaks all over the county, and that unvaccinated kids have been blamed for its resurgence. But you also may have seen the new study showing that vaccinated baboons still can carry and transmit the disease, meaning that while they themselves were protected after being fully vaccinated, they were still passing it around after being exposed. So perhaps the tragic pertussis deaths and serious illnesses of the last few years were not entirely the fault of the unvaccinated after all. To be clear: the results of this study do NOT suggest that the DTAP vaccine CAUSES whooping cough. (I have seen a few natural living websites and publications misinterpret the findings of this study and suggest that the DTAP shot caused the baboons to become contagious with pertussis).

This study serves as another reminder that what’s taken as “fact” when it comes to vaccine efficacy and safety is ever-shifting. I wish I had the bravery of my friends in Vermont who skip all vaccines, or the conviction of my New York City mom friends who KNOW that the AAP’s schedule is on-point.

Instead, I’ve read and read and read… and researched until I’m bleary-eyed..and listened to the opinions of doctors and experts whom I respect– yet still I remain conflicted.

So rather than judging any parents for what they choose for their own kids, I assume pure intentions and educated decisions from most of you–whether you choose to vaccinate your children or not.

Okay, I’ve busted into this topic! Let the flame-throwing begin!

Stay sane,

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Here it is again, that time of year when kids seem to be sick more often than they are well. Maia’s baby, Wolf, is only 4 months old, and the poor guy has already had at least four colds, courtesy of his big brother, Felix. Maia asked me to share, from my  perspective as a Health Coach (as well as mother and grandmother!) the most effective ways to treat a cold or flu. She said she sees plenty of tips on how to avoid getting sick, but even if you’ve been taking your Vitamin D and washing your hands constantly, you might find that all members of your family still have frequent sniffles. Here’s how to deal…and even to enjoy the process!

1. First…don’t despair! Think of the illness as the body going through a necessary cleansing process. According to Marc David’s book Nourishing Wisdom, our bodies go through three distinct phases: cleansing, building, and sustaining. The cleansing phase is a period of “breaking down,” during which we may experience an illness such as a cold or flu. This period may be accompanied by low energy, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Back in the days when I was heavily into macrobiotics, I always thought of colds as part of the healing process. My body, in its infinite wisdom, was ridding itself of waste it no longer needed.  This knowledge gave me a certain acceptance of colds and flus. I then put into place gentle routines to support the healing. Tune into your body and see what it is asking for through this healing process. Feeling stressed out about why you got sick won’t do any good and may even prolong the illness!
2. Simplify your cooking with broths, soups, steamed vegetables, and other liquids (fresh juices and simple, non-sugary smoothies). Liquids will help speed the cleansing process and save energy that is needed to digest more complex foods.
3. Make sure you are getting adequate quality rest–if you have sick kids or young infants and can’t get a full night’s sleep, try to at least rest as much as you can during the day. One thing I love when I’m sick is a hot water bottle as a bedtime companion. My grandson also loves this. It warms your bed and can be placed on the body anywhere it feels good. Make sure you get one that is natural rubber latex. Also, chamomile tea is relaxing and soothing. For children you can add a bedtime story of Peter Rabbit and a little honey to the tea (not for babies under 1 year old).
4. Use “water healing” to speed the recovery process. Take baths, showers, and drink plenty. Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store carries a wonderful line of bath salts that are safe for children and moms. Tandi’s Calming Lavender bath salts are great in the evening before bed, and Tandi’s Energizing Citrus Mint salts are perfect for a morning bath. During the night when you are sleeping you are detoxing, so first thing in the morning before you break your fast, have warm water with lemon to further flush out, and for children you could add some raw honey to make it more palatable and soothe the throat. Don’t drink water too late in the evening as this might cause a sleep interrupting, wee-hours trip to the bathroom.
5. Use an onion for earaches. When my children were young, doctors often recommend antibiotics for earaches. I always tried to avoid those unless absolutely necessary, and the AAP no longer recommends antibiotics for most earaches. A good rocking chair and a book can work wonders. When Maia was a baby the rocking motion often helped to open up a clogged ear. I also learned that an onion, cut in half and warmed in the oven and placed directly on the sore ear, really works well. It would soothe her and we would rock and read books until she felt better.
6. Gently clean noses. These days, moms have access to products that did not exist years ago. There is nothing worse than a sore nose from too much blowing. Rather than using Kleenex-type tissues that can leave a child’s nose raw and sore, Maia now uses Babo Botanicals 3-in-1 Sensitive Baby Wipes for her sick kids. They are a super-soft wipe with a completely nontoxic herbal formula that is soothing and healing.
7. Massage your child, or yourself. Touch and massage move energy and can create blood flow in a body that is healing. Our online store offers a Deep Lavender Rub that adds an extra kick with essential oils and works great for rubbing on children’s chests and backs. It utilizes the heat-producing essential oils of ginger, rosemary, eucalyptus to relax release upper respiratory tightness due to colds, allergies, stress or asthma. It’s a great natural alternative to Vick’s.

As you can see, self-care (or if you’re a mom, self care and loving child care) is the key here. Love yourself up and if your child is ill, love them up–and slow down. Notice and appreciate the body and how wise it is. Enjoy the process and have patience; you will stronger when the illness passes!

Be well,

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My mom doesn’t eat sugar and look at the results–here she is at 60!

Sugar Is a Ubiquitous Toxin
I’ll get through this quickly because I feel like we all know that sugar is bad and how it’s in everything. Frankly, it’s kind of a downer to hear about just how bad it is, so here is just a quick reminder of some of the diseases to which refined sugar contributes: Weight gain, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, headaches, cancer, depression, and a generally suppressed immune system.

As for their ubiquity, refined sugars are found in an amazing number of products. Did you know that there is sugar in pasta sauce? Bagels? Salsa? Beer? Most foods marketed for babies and toddlers? Bottom line: Sugar is in everything and it’s really, really bad for you. Moving on.

Sugar Isn’t the Problem
According to the Sugar Blues talk, sugar isn’t really the problem, but rather a short-term solution to a legitimate need. Humans have evolved to desire the taste of sweet because natural sugars provide us with energy. We did not evolve, however, in an environment as abundant with such a wide variety of refined sugars as the world we now live in.

Grains, beans, vegetables and fruit all contain sugars and when we eat these the sugar enters our bloodstream slowly. Refined sugars do not work in the same way, and that’s why they are so problematic. So how do I stop myself from drooling over the chocolate croissants every time I enter Le Pain Quotidien?

How to Preempt Sugar Cravings
I am so sick of the “grab an apple when you want chocolate!” advice about sugar cravings. This obviously doesn’t work—when I want a brownie, a freaking handful of raisins just simply is not going to cut it. Although my mom definitely advocates adding in more fruits and sweet veggies (e.g., yams) to your diet, her reasoning is different, and makes a lot more sense to me. I’m totally oversimplifying, but here is the basic idea: In Chinese health theory, all foods fall on a spectrum from Yin to Yang, with sugar being on the most extreme Yin end, and animal foods (meat, eggs) and salty foods on the extreme Yang end of the spectrum. As our bodies try to maintain equilibrium, if we eat too many foods on the far end of this seesaw, we then crave foods from the other end. So, when you are having a sugar craving, your Yin-Yang seesaw is all out of whack, and you actually probably need to just go ahead and eat sugar to really feel balanced (if you do this, make the brownie with maple syrup or honey instead of white sugar). If, however, you consistently eat foods that are naturally closer to the middle (like grains and vegetables and beans), you won’t have cravings of items from the extremes. The idea is that adding, say, sweeter veggies (carrots, roasted onions) to your meal will help stave off a sugar craving to afterwards. Similarly, if you limit the super sweet foods (Yin stuff), you won’t crave as much Yang food (e.g., red meat), which would then send that side of the seesaw plummeting and make you want more sweets to come back into balance. Of course, determining which foods fall right in the middle of the Yin-Yang seesaw isn’t totally intuitive, and that’s why you need a health coach! (Shameless plug!). One hint: a meal of kale and quinoa would land you smack dab in the middle of the seesaw. Shocker.

There are other ways to approach a sugar addiction that were covered in the Sugar Blues talk. Sometimes we eat because we are bored or anxious or lonely. Have you ever found yourself staring into your refrigerator only to realize that you are not even hungry? The talk stressed the importance of other kinds of nourishment besides foods. My mom often creates a “Nourishment Menu,” which includes no actual food items, and encourages her clients to nourish themselves with items from this list (a hot bath, a hug from a spouse, etc.) every day. It sounds super cheesy, granted, but as a client of hers, I can attest that it actually works…sometimes. More effective for me, personally, is learning about Yin and Yang foods and balancing the seesaw before I feel that I must consume a Starbucks’ apple fritter the size of my head.

Stay sane,

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Felix has perpetually skinned-knees, busted lips, and various gashes on his face and body during a summer of scootering, biking, rock climbing, and lots of running on concrete. The use of antibiotic creams such as Neosporin or Bacitracin seems like the obvious treatment for these injuries, but using these products is more than just unnecessary.

Antibiotic cream for run-of-the-mill scrapes, cuts, and stings should be avoided because:

• It’s often not needed. Cuts heal on their own, and recent evidence even suggests that dirt contains beneficial bacteria that may help them heal. (I read about this in the super mainstream Parenting Magazine, by the way.)
• It can cause skin irritation. About 25% of users experience this, sometimes severely.
• It may prevent the body from building natural immunities. We’ve all heard of the “hygiene hypothesis,” which asserts that lack of exposure to pathogens increases the incidence of autoimmune disease.
• It contains petroleum. Neosporin consists of several antibiotics suspended in a petroleum jelly base. Dr. Oz advises us to “steer clear of any products that list petroleum jelly or mineral oil on the ingredient list. The European Union has banned many petroleum jelly products, and experts are concerned they could be linked to cancer. Women with breast cancer have twice the levels of hydrocarbons (substances found in petroleum jelly) in their breasts than women who haven’t had breast cancer.”
• Perhaps most importantly, the global overuse of antibiotics is causing the emergence of super-resistant organisms which are threatening the well-being of all of us. The Mayo Clinic warns us that “nearly all significant bacterial infections in the world are becoming resistant to commonly used antibiotics. That’s why the decisions you make about using antibiotics—unlike almost any other medicine you take—have far-reaching consequences. “

Important: Always check with your doctor about the best way to treat injuries. I am not a doctor!

A Better Bet for Boo Boos

There are safe and effective alternatives to Neosporin. Sierra Sage makes a very popular Green Goo, which includes a blend of healing and antiseptic herbs (such as comfrey leaf and vitamin E) and essential oils. I recently had a mega bruise on my shin and a cocktail party to attend. I smeared Green Goo all over the bruise, doubtful that it would really make a difference. Surprisingly, the bruise cleared up within two days. Was it the Goo? I can’t say for sure, but it definitely seemed like it to me. Green Goo works for sunburns, bug bites, dry skin, open wounds, and blisters.

If you and your kids are doing summer correctly, there are many bumps and scrapes in your future! We are staying away from antibiotic creams in our house. (Ok, I have to admit when I pick a zit I still sometimes put some Neosporin on because this was my habit in high school–but the next time I do this I’m using Green Goo instead!)

This week only Green Goo is on sale when you use the code GIMMEGREENGOO at checkout.

Stay sane,

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1. Green Goo / 2. Babo Botanicals / 3. Earth Mama / 4. California Baby / 5. Poofy Organics

Written by Maia, President

We were pretty lucky in the diaper rash department, but if your baby is afflicted, you’ll want to find an organic diaper cream without chemicals (common culprits are parabens and BHA).

Do Cloth Diapers Prevent Diaper Rash?

My hunch is that cloth diapers are less likely to cause diaper rash than are disposables because cotton is more breathable than plastic, but I haven’t found studies to support this idea.

Note: If you are using cloth diapers, you’ll want to avoid any diaper rash cream that contains zinc, as it can build up in the diaper and render it less effective. I’ve indicated below which rash treatments have zinc.

My Pick for Best Organic Diaper Rash Cream

I’ve compiled a long list of customer emails from thrilled parents who have tried Green Goo’s Baby Balm. It’s hard to find a natural, organic diaper cream that does the trick, but this one does. It also has the safest list of ingredients of any of the Good Stuff brands.

$17.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Coconut as Cure-All

I tend to think of coconut oil as a reasonable first-try cure for most ailments, and diaper rash is no exception. Try smearing a little on your baby’s bottom with a Q-tip.

If you want a rash treatment more tailored for tushies, Check out the Good Stuff below.

The Good Stuff: Organic Diaper Cream

Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Soothing Diaper Cream

This popular diaper cream relies on beeswax, watercress, and vitamin E to soothe sore bums and create a moisture barrier. This cream contains contain zinc oxide, but Babo founder Kate Solomon says they have tested the cream on cloth diapers and it rinsed out completely, leaving no residue.

How to Get this Organic Diaper Cream: We now offer Babo in our online store, where you’ll pay $13 for a 3-ounce tube.

 

Babo also makes a Healing Baby Ointment that works well as a diaper cream.

$18.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

 

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Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

We love pretty much everything Earth Mama, and this diaper balm is no exception. This new version is 100% organic and cloth-diaper safe.

How to Get this Organic Diaper Cream: Our store, where you’ll pay $13 for a 2-ounce tub.

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

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Noleo Duo Baby Wipes System

Noleo’s system is an environmentally friendly way to streamline diaper changes. You simply apply the cleanser (made of 5 safe ingredients) and wipe with the organic cotton pads. It leaves a transparent protective layer on your baby’s bottom, and you will see a significant reduction in diaper rash  within just a few uses.

$27.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Select options

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California Baby Diaper Rash Cream

California Baby Diaper Rash Cream scores a 2 on EWG’s Skin Deep database because it contains lanolin (the others on this list all score a zero if they have been reviewed by EWG.) All the other ingredients in this organic diaper cream are safe, and it’s a long list of them—everything from tea tree oil to wild pansy extract. I am including it here for those of you who are okay with lanolin, which is effective in serious cases of diaper rash. CONTAINS ZINC (which will ruin cloth diapers).

How to Get This Organic Diaper Cream: Amazon. You’ll pay about $18 for a 2.9-ounce tube.

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MADE OF Organic Diaper Rash Cream

Made Of’s Organic Diaper Rash Cream uses non-nano zinc oxide to create a protective moisture barrier, and organic soothers like avocado and argan oils to heal irritated skin.

Buy Now from MADE OF

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Miessence

Miessence makes a Baby Bottom Mist that contains many of the same ingredients as the Kimberly Parry cream. It’s also expensive ($18 for an ounce), but I like that it is sprayed on, sparing sore tushies further abrasion.

How to Get: Online, where you’ll pay $18 for a 1-ounce bottle.

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 Green Goo Baby Balm

Sierra Sage Baby Balm is free of lanolin and all ingredients are organic (including olive oil, calendula, beeswax, and chamomile). This balm doubles as a cradle cap and dry skin treatment, and we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback, with more than one customer calling it a “miracle” product.

How to Get This Organic Diaper Cream: Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store. You’ll pay $13 for 2 ounces of this cloth-diaper safe cream.

$17.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

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Beautycounter recently added Calming Diaper Rash Cream to their lineup of safe baby products. The primary healer here is non-nano zinc, and the formula also contains natural soothers like jojoba and shea.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

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Like other Poofy products, their Happy Tush diaper balm contains organic apricot oil and lots of cocoa and shea butters. Fans say that you can use it on eczema, too. (Poofy also makes a Tush Stick that’s safe for cloth diapers).

Buy now from Poofy Organics

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Badger Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream

Badger makes a great zinc everyday diaper cream for preventing diaper rash before it begins, or treating it once it’s started.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Bad Stuff

The Sneaky Stuff

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Felix recently started preschool and while I am mostly excited about this transition, it has not been without some stress and a certain sense of loss. I can’t believe his first three years are really over (and that I’ve spent the bulk of them waiting for bedtime…waiting for the weekend…waiting for him to be old enough to go to school!). 

Because I know that many moms are going through the same range of emotions this time of year, I turned to aromatherapy expert Valerie Bennis for her stress relief tips.

Here’s what Valerie had to say:

Whether your little boy has just begun kindergarten or your first-born is starting her journey off to college, this can be a stressful time of year.  Aromatherapy can ease tension, warm your heart, and help you let go. Essential oils of lavender and ylang/ylang are deeply calming. Woody scents (think cedar and spruce) are comforting and restorative.

Essence of Vali’ s CALM relax mist and massage & bath oil can help put you at ease, and the diffuser blend is a quick and easy way to add some “calm” into your home or office. Our FORTIFY blend is very grounding and can help ease the feeling of loss or emotional fragility, creating a sense of shelter and warmth.

I wish you all a smooth transition this school year!

Valerie

Stay sane,

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Gimme the Good Stuff’s guest blogger Valerie Bennis is a certified aromatherapist and the founder of Essence of Vali aromatherapy products. Her most popular blend is one that promotes better sleep. Obviously, having young kids pretty much puts getting

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Sleep difficulties have reached epidemic proportions (especially for new parents!) yet we know that a good night’s rest is the foundation of good health. More and more evidence points to lack of sleep as a contributor to declining physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. There is no doubt about it: good sleep is an imperative ingredient in our health regime.  

When I started my practice as an aromatherapist nearly a decade ago, one of my private clients asked me to create a special blend to help her sleep. As my practice grew and I launched my line, Essence of Vali, the demand for this sleep blend also grew. More and more people seem to be tossing and turning!

Two Common Sleep Challenges
Some people fall asleep easily and then wake up at 3:00 in the morning, while others take many hours to fall asleep the first time. In my experience, these are the two most common patterns. Experts say that we need at least 7 hours of sleep. Even those of us who consider ourselves “good sleepers” may not be getting enough rest.

Why Do We Have So Much Trouble Sleeping?
I believe that most of these sleeping difficulties (at least for people without babies who wake frequently at night) are due to stress and also due to some of the foods we eat. So how do we address these common issues?

Limit or avoid…

• Coffee, soda, and alcohol: These substances affect our energy in some way–be it stimulating or sedative. Try drinking water and decaf herbal teas instead, which contribute to your wellbeing and create balance in your body, mind, and spirit, rather than a roller coaster effect.

• Sugar: The impact of sugar is a spike in energy and then a “fall down,” creating a vicious cycle of up and down. Try sweet treats like dates, peaches, or a banana with natural peanut butter in place of candy, cookies, or ice cream.

• Nicotine: I think this one goes without saying!

• Stress: How do we eliminate the toxin of stress? We can empower ourselves to significantly decrease its impact on our lives by doing things that ease our existing stress levels.

14 Stress-Busting Tips

1. Restorative yoga (gentle yoga)
2. Exercise
3. Dancing
4. Listening to music
5. Talking to someone really positive
6. Writing in a journal
7. Taking a bath with a calming bath oil
8. Positive affirmations
9. Drinking herbal tea, such as chamomile
10. Rescue Remedy or other bach flower essences
11. Aromatherapy. Essence of Vali’s sleep blend combines essential oils from plants that all have sedative properties, which helps ease the user into a peaceful sleep and comforts them during times of stress.
12. Massage or self massage
13. Helping a friend or stranger
14. Acupuncture

7 Other Ideas for Improving Sleep

1. Keep a regular schedule in terms of when you go to sleep and when you wake up.
2. Do not eat a heavy meal before bedtime.
3. Keep sound and light out of your bedroom as much as possible.
4. Take a relaxing bath prior to getting into bed.
5. Use natural products instead of prescription medication or over-the-counter products.
6. Do some breathing exercises and listen to relaxation tapes.
7. Do not listen to or watch the news before bed.

You deserve not only to get a great night’s sleep each night, but to maintain optimum health so that you can sleep well! The two, I believe, go hand in hand. Begin your Sleep Health Regime today.

Valerie Bennis is a certified aromatherapist and the creator of the Essence of Vali line. She is known for creating natural products that really work, smell great, and appeal to men, women, and children of all ages. The company has won industry awards for its blends and has been mentioned in three books that highlight non-toxic products. Valerie is dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and loves inspiring people to take impeccable care of themselves. Learn more at essenceofvali.com. Use August’s special code AUG for 20% off at checkout.

Stay sane,

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And now, thirty-two years later, I seem to have stumbled upon the secret cure to cradle cap.

As many of you know, we recently launched an online store, and one of the products we carry is a Baby Balm by an Idaho-based herbalist named Jen (her line is called Sierra Sage, and it’s one of the oldest herb companies in the U.S.). When I discovered Sierra Sage, I loved the way the Baby Balm smelled and felt (and it’s totally organic and has nothing sneaky in it), but Felix is out of diapers now so I couldn’t try it on a rash, and as I mentioned, cradle cap wasn’t a problem for him.

Our very first customer happened to buy some of the balm, and within two days of shipping her order, we received the following message on our Facebook page:

“I wanted to comment on the baby balm I purchased, but I didn’t see where I could do it on the site. I bought the baby balm after I had tried everything else in an attempt to get rid of my little girl’s cradle cap. It is amazing. After the 1st use 75% of it fell off. And after the 2nd application no more cradle cap, not to mention no more irritated baby:). Thank you!!!”

By the way, whenever I read testimonials like this when considering a product, it goes in one ear and out the other because it sounds phony and suspect, but this really is exactly what this woman wrote (and no, I didn’t pay her to write it). I hope more of you will try this balm for cradle cap or diaper rash and have the same results. I happen to love the Sierra Sage products made for grown-ups (the Green Goo is awesome for bruises), so I’m happy to give Jen more business!

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The post A Natural Cradle Cap Cure (I’m as Surprised as You Are) appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

NOTE: Nothing written below should take the place of advice from your doctor. We are not medically trained, and are not qualified to diagnose or recommend treatment for any illness.

Here in the northeastern U.S., cold and flu season is upon us, and many of us are sick. Throughout the winter, most children experience runny noses, coughs, earaches, and sometimes fevers. Many adults also seem to be “under the weather” with various respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints.

Why Do We Get Sick in January and February?
Of course, the main reason that flus and colds take hold in the winter is that we are all trapped inside in close quarters where germs can spread easily. But I suspect that there is more to it that that.

• • For one thing, the holiday season is busy and stressful at a time when we should perhaps be slowing down because the days are shorter.

• • Also, it is hard not to partake in some late nights and unhealthy eating and too much drinking while celebrating with family and friends; it’s inevitable that even the most conscientious among us will over-indulge.

• So, our resistance becomes compromised by these lifestyle choices, and then to top it off, we spend much of our time inside with little sun or fresh air. The socializing allows pathogens to easily move through populations.

So, if illnesses are a given in the winter months, how does our “healthcare system” help us deal with this?

The rocking chair comes in handy for earaches.

Antibiotics in the 1980s
Thirty years ago, when I took my children to the pediatrician for the usual winter illnesses, I was given Tylenol for their fever (Maia blogged about Tylenol recently) and antibiotics if the child’s ear was inflamed. I never gave then fever reducers, but I did give Maia antibiotics once when she was a year old for an earache. Within two weeks–as soon as the antibiotics wore off–her earache came back, and the pediatrician prescribed more antibiotics!

That was the moment I stopped listening to the pediatrician. I sought alternative advice and began to dabble in macrobiotics. The holistic doctor I saw suggested that I stop giving Maia tropical fruit in the winter, concentrating instead on winter fruits (basically apples), winter vegetables (beets, winter squash, kale, broccoli, cabbage), and whole grains (brown rice, millet, oats). I eliminated dairy, wheat products, and sweets except rice syrup, barley malt, and on special occasions, maple syrup. Her earaches cleared up.

At one point during Maia’s toddler years I was concerned because she had some ear pain that had come and gone, so I took her to a pediatrician, where I was told that Maia’s ear was infected and I must give her antibiotics or it would not go away.

I ignored the advice (which was very difficult for a young mother, since back then we were told that ear infections could cause a child to permanently lose her hearing). Instead, I trusted my instincts and all that I had been reading and learning.

Felix loves berry smoothies when he has a cold (macrobiotics would not approve!).

Maia never needed antibiotics again and she had a healthy childhood and grew up with her hearing fully intact! With Graham, my second child, I had more confidence and avoided pediatricians except for his well-child visits. I did have a homeopathic doctor that I relied on for advice when I was concerned. He never recommended antibiotics.

I wasn’t extremely strict with my kids’ diets, but in general we ate healthy whole foods. We did eat dairy, but it was limited to raw organic dairy when possible.

Antibiotics in 2012: The More Things Change…
Recently, Graham’s son, Theo (11 months old) had a runny nose and cough. Theo’s very conscientious mother took him to the pediatrician after a particularly rough night of no sleep. Theo couldn’t breathe through his nose and had difficulty nursing and sleeping. A nurse practitioner examined him and recommended antibiotics, despite the absence of a fever. She did say his ear was red.

I was confused and admittedly annoyed when I heard this! What were the antibiotics for? An ear infection? My daughter-in-law wasn’t even sure.

We have an emergency room doctor with decades of experience in our family, and she told me that the standard practice nowadays is to wait to prescribe antibiotics in the case of suspected ear infection since most are viral. In the case of my own children, their earaches always resolved without treatment.

So why did this nurse practitioner prescribe antibiotics for Theo? Did she suspect a bacterial infection? Was it his cough that concerned her? Again, no one really seemed to provide a straight answer, but it seems antibiotics are still being overused.

What I Wonder About Antibiotics

• • If antibiotics weren’t necessary for my children to enjoy healthy childhoods, are they actually as necessary as pediatricians make them seem for other children?

• • Are they harming children’s immune systems? Heavy and/or early antibiotic use is associated with breast cancer and asthma.

• • What are the implications in the child’s life now and later in life? What is the cost to society?

• • Obviously, antibiotics are a vital medication sometimes, but shouldn’t we only use them when really necessary?

• • Does the public understand that most winter colds and flus are caused by viruses and therefore antibiotics are useless?

“Antibiotic resistance 
MRSA is the result of decades of often unnecessary antibiotic use. For years, antibiotics have been prescribed for colds, flu and other viral infections that don’t respond to these drugs. Even when antibiotics are used appropriately, they contribute to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria because they don’t destroy every germ they target. Bacteria live on an evolutionary fast track, so germs that survive treatment with one antibiotic soon learn to resist others.”

Source: The Mayo Clinic

This picture has nothing to do with antibiotics, but how cute is Theo?!

Our health care system sometimes seems devoid of common sense, so I urge mothers to question their pediatricians when antibiotics are prescribed. Healthy skepticism is…healthy! Rather than relying on medication for healing many illnesses, I believe we need to build our bodies with whole foods, water, rest, and fresh air and only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary.

I would love to hear from our readers about their experiences with pediatricians, antibiotics, or childhood illnesses. What are your thoughts? When Maia broke her leg at age 6 I was so grateful that she had a wonderful doctor, but in many instances I felt I had to avoid my pediatrician. Have any of you found good pediatricians whom you truly trust?

An Update on My Grandsons
We are lucky to have a wonderful doctor in the family who can check Felix when he’s sick, and thanks to her, Felix has not had any antibiotics to date.

Natalie and Graham never gave Theo the antibiotics (I tried my best not to meddle too much, which of course doesn’t come easily to me!). He is fully recovered a week later.

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The article even identifies the mechanism that might cause this connection: “Even a single dose of acetaminophen can reduce the body’s levels of glutathione, a peptide that helps repair oxidative damage that can drive inflammation in the airways.”

Here is one study on the acetaminophen-asthma connection.

I plan to be even more judicious with pain relievers, and will be sticking with ibuprofen (children’s Motrin) if I give Felix anything.

Stay sane,

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Felix sick with a flu last fall.

After an unprecedented four months of wellness, Felix had a bad cold last week that left him feverish for five interminable days. Predictably, Daylon and I debated whether to give Felix some children’s Tylenol or just let the fever run its course.

Our usual rule of thumb is to reserve the Tylenol for those times when Felix is especially uncomfortable–which is obviously a subjective determination.

If Felix is sick and will lie around and nurse, read books, or (gasp!) watch TV, even if he is clearly feeling poorly, I don’t rush for the fever reducers. If, on the other hand, Felix is crying or whimpering, or if he’s telling me that something hurts, I give him children’s Tylenol or Motrin.

Why I Don’t Like Treating Fevers

I have three big concerns with administering a pain killer/fever reducer when Felix is ill.

1. It masks the symptoms. When Felix has a fever, he lies still, eats very little, and sleeps a lot. When we treat the fever, he feels better and wants to run around, play, and eat. While of course it heartens me to see him so improved, intuition tells me that it would be better for him to rest more and move about less while fighting a virus. Perhaps his body even knows that eating requires too much effort for digestion and the appetite is suppressed in an effort to conserve energy.
2. No medication is without side effects. I worry about the long-term consequences of children’s Tylenol and the like, especially in light of recent recalls as well as studies that show a potential link between acetaminophen and autism.
3. The fever probably helps the body heal. Beyond ensuring that Felix rests, I suspect that the fever is also beneficial to the healing process, perhaps even triggering the immune response. Studies support this hypothesis, although it is unclear if giving a fever reducer lengthens the duration of infection.

When I Treat Fevers

Beyond the obvious goal of reducing his suffering (and our own!), Daylon and I give Felix children’s Tylenol to:

• Allow all of us to get some sleep. If Felix is too uncomfortable to sleep more than a few minutes at a stretch, I give him a fever reducer so that we all can rest.

• Make sure it’s just a minor illness. Sometimes if a fever has stuck around for more than a couple of days and I’m starting to fret, Daylon suggests giving Felix some Tylenol to see if his behavior improves. Felix always ends up running around, playing, and eating, and therefore we are assured that his distress was in fact caused by the fever and not something more sinister.

In the case of his most recent cold, as soon as Felix recovered, I came down with the same nasty bug. Of course, I helped myself to plenty of aspirin each day to combat the killer headache and raw throat that came with it!

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Ah, the joys of chocolate. I indulge more frequently now that chocolate (the dark kind, of course) has risen to health-food status. When I first discovered healthy eating (more than 35 years ago), chocolate was a major no-no, and carob was the chosen food for baking desserts. While carob and chocolate have very distinct flavors, I find that the former satisfies a craving for the latter.

While thumbing through the Basic Balancer section of my Essential Eating cookbook, I immediately noticed a recipe for carob brownies and baked up a batch…and then another batch…and then another. They are delicious! It’s been years since I’ve cooked with carob, and I’d forgotten how yummy it is (really!)—and what a nice treat carob desserts are for kids, since unlike chocolate, carob is caffeine free.

Why Carob Is Better
The carob brownies from the Essential Eating cookbook are even included on the Super Cleanser diet–that’s how healthy they are!

• Carob beans come from the pod of an evergreen tree that grows in the Mediterranean and has been a staple for millennia in the Middle Eastern diet.
• Carob is sold in powder form, ground from dried carob bean pods.
• Carob digests as a protein quite easily, and is easier to digest than chocolate.
• Carob is naturally sweet, containing about 50% sugars.
• Carob is an excellent source of calcium, and also contains carotenoids, B vitamins, phosphorus, and iron.

My grandson Theo wanted a bite of my carob brownies!

Quinoa Flour Carob Brownies
The brownie recipe in Essential Eating cookbook has the added advantage of being gluten-free because it is made with quinoa flour instead of wheat. I top the carob brownies with organic raw sour cream sweetened with a little maple sugar. Maia prefers to ice her brownies with a maple cream cheese frosting. Either version (or without any topping at all) is a delicious snack or dessert for kids and grownups alike.

I am happy to share this recipe—send me an email (sweavergoss@gmail.com) if you’d like me to pass it along you.

Be well,

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Yum! Fresh bread and butter, homemade blueberry muffins, pancakes with warm maple syrup, cookies fresh from the oven! These are just a few of my favorite things (sorry, I am a Vermonter and Trapp Family/Sound of Music enthusiast). Baked goods are especially hard for me to resist with the cooler fall weather coming.

Two of my top core values are maintaining my health and EATING delicious food. Balancing these two goals can be a challenge and requires setting not-so-enjoyable boundaries. As you might have gleaned from Maia’s introduction in her post last week, I have spent the bulk of my adult life exploring how the food I serve and eat affects my health and the health of those I love.

We celebrated Felix’s first birthday with a sprouted flour carrot cake.

“Nana Has a Fat Belly!”

I enjoy having a slim waistline and not feeling overweight. I say feeling overweight because people constantly tell me that I’m not fat, even though I don’t feel thin these days!

We made sprouted gingerbread men last Christmas

We made sprouted gingerbread men last Christmas.It’s true that Maia and I both have naturally fast metabolisms. My mother fretted about my skinny frame when I was a child, my brothers still refer to me as “Stickanne,” and I was ruthlessly teased as a teenager for my scrawny limbs—I used to eat an entire loaf of Wonder bread before falling asleep and pray I’d wake up with a curvier figure! The older I get, though, the more challenging it becomes to squeeze into skinny jeans (which seem to just keep getting skinnier!).

Maia’s son Felix is almost two, an age where little ones parrot everything they hear. He’s been witness to a lot of my self-talk recently, and last week he exclaimed, “Nana has a fat belly!” Yikes! I guess I’ve been complaining a lot about my expanding waistline!

Flour as a Vegetable

Over my many years of dietary permutations, I discovered through experimentation that bread and flour products were compromising my health and my waistline, especially once I reached middle age. So imagine my excitement when—a few years ago—I discovered a new food movement called Essential Eating, which makes the following claims (I’m simplifying here):

• Some very common health problems (including weight gain) are caused by one’s pancreas being overtaxed by foods that are difficult to digest.
• Starches in grains are very hard for the pancreas to digest.
• When sprouted, whole grains are digested as vegetables—not starches!
• Vegetables, as most of know, are some of the most nutritious things we eat.

Sprouted flour pancakes are a breakfast favorite.

As the founder of the Essential Eating movement, Janice Quinn (who went from a size 16 to a size 6), says: “Knowing that sprouted flour digests as a vegetable and not a starch makes getting more vegetables into your diet much easier.”

Eating My (Sprouted) Cake and Having It, Too

Felix eating sprouted cobbler with my son Graham.

With my usual enthusiasm for new health food trends, I excitedly reintroduced all those yummy baked goods into my diet (oh, and I’m almost forgot about sprouted pasta and pizza, too!). Now, I’m not claiming that I’ve religiously stuck to the Essential Eating diet, but when I’m disciplined about it, I both look and feel better.

Maia and I laugh when we bake bread and say, “Let’s serve Felix a little veggie with butter,” or “How about a delicious veggie carob chip cookie for your snack!” It’s great knowing that we are giving him something nutritious that he loves.

I know this whole flour-as-a-vegetable idea sounds far-fetched, so I encourage you to read all about sprouted flour and the Essential Eating plan in Janice Quinn’s books, Essential Eating, A Cookbook, or Maia’s favorite, Essential Eating, Sprouted Baking. Felix gets sprouted carrot cake for birthdays—double veggies!

The Science Behind Sprouted Flour

My eyes glaze over when I read overly scientific text, but Maia’s husband, a recreational gourmet cook and brilliant, geeky scientist (geeks can be quite handsome!)  always questions me with queries like, “Really, Suze?… Digests like a vegetable? How so?” He forces me to read the science behind my health claims.

Luckily, there is plenty of science to support eating sprouted grains in Janice Quinn’s books and more in Sally Fallon’s book, Nourishing Traditions, if you are interested.

If you aren’t worried about your weight, there are plenty of other reasons to choose sprouted flour over regular whole wheat, including its higher vitamin and protein content. For more compelling reasons, and to learn some of the problems with unsprouted flour, I encourage you all to read Essential Eating!

You Don’t Have to Make Your Own Flour!

I don’t know about you, but at my age, I have spent far too many hours in the kitchen grinding flour, making yogurt, and doing everything from scratch. I have no interest in sprouting my own grains, although my Amish friend, Fanny, does sprout her own flour, so if anybody is interested I could ask her to write out the directions. Those Amish have way more time than I do–apparently they are not wasting their Monday evenings viewing Bachelor Pad!

Anyway, I buy sprouted flour (Shiloh Farms), bread (Food for Life/Ezekiel), and pastas (Ezekiel) at the health food store. (By the way, I know I’m promoting all of these products and books pretty intensely, but I’m not being paid by anyone to do it; unfortunately, these folks don’t even know this blog exists—yet!

Blueberry Muffins that Won’t Leave You with a Muffin Top

Here is my own truly guilt-free blueberry muffin recipe, which I adapted from Sprouted Baking. (For those of you wondering how something with nearly a stick of butter can be guilt-free, check out what Sally Fallon says about the health benefits of butter.)

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 ¼ cups sprouted wheat flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1-2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease or line 12 cups of a standard muffin tin.
• In a large bowl, blend the butter and syrup. Add the eggs.
• Mix the dry ingredients and add to the wet.
• Fold in the blueberries.
• Pour the batter into prepared muffin tins.
• Bake 16-18 minutes, until the muffin tops are golden and a tester inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean.
• Transfer to a rack and cool.

So…all of you youngins get out there and make some sprouted muffins! I’m tired of being in the kitchen, so while you’re at it, would one of you start a sprouted bakery? I’d like a place where I can buy healthy snacks for my two grandsons!

Please feel free to comment or let me know if you’re interested in other recipes. Fanny and I make a delicious sprouted pizza crust and I’d be happy to share that recipe.

Be well,

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The post Muffins Without the Muffin Top appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.