20 Random Things That Bring Me Pleasure

1. Warm Cherry Tomatoes Straight from the Vine

2. My Children’s Laughter

3. Tender Kisses on my Neck

4. Yoga

5. The Aroma of my Mother’s Cooking

6. Rain on a Summer Afternoon

7. Mashed Potatoes Drowning in Gravy

8. Sitting on a Dock With my Feet Dangling in the Water

9. Lilacs

10. Chocolate

11. Black and White Photography

12. Hot Soup On a Chilly Day

13. Driving with the Windows Down

14. Sitting Under a Shady Tree

15. Children’s Art

16. Late Night Talks in the Moonlight

17. Walking Through an old Cemetery

18. Watching my Children Sleep

19. Memories of my Father

20. Foot Massages

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Mother's Who Don't Vaccinate... A Risk?

As mothers, we innately want to protect our children, so concerns are valid. I have been reading literature about vaccinations for the past 10 years. Some suggest that the un-vaccinated children pose a threat to the vaccinated population.

If the vaccine theory was sound, then the unvaccinated children would not pose a threat to the vaccinated population, right? Think about it.

In order to be a threat, the unvaccinated child would have to first come in contact with the disease and have the immune system fail to ward it off. Even if this were to happen… if the vaccination successfully did what it was intended to do (foster immunity towards a specific disease), the vaccinated child should not contract the disease.

This past year a vaccinated child, who sat directly behind my child, contracted whooping cough and hacked directly on my child for days, during the incubation period, before being removed from the classroom environment.

Why did my child not contract the disease?

Why did the vaccinated child contract the disease?

It is hard for me to comprehend why the majority doesn’t think about this paradox. Instead, I think the proactive parent is wrongfully accused of being unmindful of the health risks involved. These parents don’t mindlessly venture into the world of not vaccinating their children. They conduct on-going research and implement lifestyle choices that promote a healthy immune function. They are proactively seeking alternative means to the pestilence occurring in our young children and babies.

It is not my mission to tell people to or not to vaccinate; this is a personal choice between a mother, father, and most likely their physician. However, I do say to educate yourself before entering this (or any) discussion with the physician. Here are some resources on my side of the fence to get you started.

Fisher, B. L. (September-October 2004). In The Wake of Vaccines. Mothering , 38-45.

Kirby, D. (2005). Evidence of Harm, Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy. New York: St. Martins Press.

Miller, N. Z. (1998). Immunizations: The People Speak! Questions, Comments, and Concerns About Vaccinations. Sante Fe: New Atlantean Press.

Vacination Risk Awareness Network. http://www.vran.org/

National Vaccine Information Center: http://www.nvic.org/

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Frustrations Facing The 'Autism Industry'

I find it difficult to comprehend how service providers can charge an exorbitant amount of money and still sleep well at night. As a parent of a child diagnosed with autism, I have researched many viable treatment modalities and service providers. Many groups advertise through books, websites, and talk shows about how beneficial their products are, but they all come with this high ticket.

More frustrating is the amount of children that go untreated or helped because the ticket is so far out of reach. It can be difficult to sort through who is valid and who is out capitalizing on the unfortunate circumstances of so many.

Many families, like ours, have gone from two incomes to one; struggling just to make ends meet. Others have exhausted all resources including refinancing a home to pay for services; left with no other options. And yet others haven’t survived the enormous stress of having a child with autism and have gone from a family to either separated or divorced; supporting two households.

I have heard some providers even say, “If they value the service they will figure out how to pay for it. Money is never really the issue.” I challenge this! I am aware of numerous valid services for these kids that are out of our financial reach.

For instance, the tuition for a private ABA school specializing in autism that still has a $6k balance due after the autism scholarship is exhausted. What about the DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctor who is charging hundreds of dollars just to walk through the door and tens of thousands of dollars for tests, lab work, procedures, supplements and therapies… None of which is covered by insurance. What about the waiver wait list that is years long?

It is difficult enough to sort through the acceptance of a diagnosis and the muck of what is available to your child, but then once you arrive there to realize you cannot afford to get your child well... is beyond words. Unfortunately, this is the reality of so many families.

Families need resources and they need them now! Someone needs to become proactive in this shift and advocate for our children in order for them to obtain the services and treatments that are rightfully theirs.

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Quick GFCF Taco Goulash: Recipe of the Week

8 ounce Rice Penne Noodles
1# Ground Beef (or turkey)
½ White Onion Finely Diced
½ Zucchini Finely Diced
1 tsp Minced Garlic
1 tsp. Sea Salt
½ tsp. Cracked Black Pepper
3 TB Taco Seasoning
2 Cans Petite Diced Tomatoes (or 2 chopped fresh tomatoes)
3 TB Fresh Salsa
3 TB Fresh Sweet Salsa
½ cup Frozen Corn
Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream
Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative- Cheddar

Prepare Rice Penne according to package.

In the mean time, brown ground beef. Add the rest of the ingredients to the meat and simmer.

Rinse the cooked Penne Pasta; add to meat.

Spoon into soup bowls and top with Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative- Cheddar and Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream.

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A Year of Leap and Bounds

As the yellow school bus pulled up, I felt a surge of excitement… I couldn’t contain my childish smile!

All day I wondered if Sahara would get that it was her last day of school for summer break... Or would she wake up on Tuesday wondering why we were out of routine? As the bus neared, I could see this smiling little face peering through the bottom of the 3rd window back; a spark was in her eye and she appeared to be rambling on about something that she probably only understood.

As the bus came to a screechy stop, I swear my heart skipped a beat…. Summer was here! My girl exited the bus bare foot and ready for our summer adventures. She turned to the bus driver and aid to say, “Ba-Bye…. summer”.

YES, SHE KNEW IT!!!

We skipped across the yard to the house without any worries of the week to burden us. Once inside she dumped her red backpack and carefully went through each item; sharing memories of a year of huge milestones, growth, and companionship.

This year she was able to make her first meaningful friendships with her little classmates, Ray and Addie. They were true friends as friends should be complete with purposeful play & interaction, consoling of boo-boos, and the excitement of seeing one another tomorrow. I am so pleased that she can experience the satisfaction of having true social interactions – that alone will inspire the natural desire and shift to want more of the same.

This was a year of leap and bounds not only socially, but academically as well—She had learned to print letters and write her name; sing her ABC’s as well as other songs; match colors, shapes, and animals; follow routines, participate in circle time, art, occupational and speech therapy activities,; all of her goals on her IEP had been met or close to it! She had worked hard and we have seen the fabulous outcomes for it….

I say ‘she’ because the teachers, therapists, and I had given her the space and guidance to blossom while she did all of the work. Yes, I give kudos to myself and the staff; each of us offering our unique skills and patience… but it was Sahara who demonstrated her determination to succeed. I hope inside she recognizes that her efforts and willingness to enter our world are acknowledged and seen as astounding!

I am sure that there are children who do not have the support to come out of their perceived fog… I suppose it is easier for some parents just to turn on the TV and let their child be consumed by the electronic babysitter… Or some teachers who lose sight of the quite child playing quietly in the corner…Maybe the green therapists who just don’t have the skills yet to know what to do with the ‘child that is hard to crack’. But Sahara was (and is) fortunate, she didn’t have those obstacles at home or in this school setting.

Sahara has learned naturally how to begin to foster relationships and develop cognitively. This summer will be full of adventures and learning. Integrating what she has learned this year within her natural home setting will only foster further growth.

So, as we sat there with purple hands and bare feet, I realized that it wouldn’t be long before we were able to remove the labels that some have insistently placed upon this bright little girl. I look forward to that moment about as much (probably more) than waiting for the yellow bus to arrive bringing us summer.

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It's Been A Week!

My apologies to my readers… I understand I haven’t blogged in 7 days, but I promise you it was for good reason…

I would like to tell you it has been for selfish reasons like we took a spontaneous vacation to Australia (ahh Mate, that would be an incredible story) or for personal reasons like I was laid up with the swine flu (now, I thought that was funny) or maybe I just didn’t have anything to say. Although, that, too, would be very unlikely, as you know — I always have an opinion to share.

Nope, I was busy doing what I do…. orchestrating treatment and trying to keep life as normal as possible for the rest of the family, sound familiar moms?

This week we fired our speech and occupational therapists for good cause.

I find it difficult to comprehend how it is appropriate to block a child from going to her mother – especially when that is the child’s routine prior to the mother leaving the room, to have a door barricaded from the inside when the child is in the room, to laugh and call the child names, and to talk amongst yourselves over the distressed child who is crying and yelling, “Let go” and “Mommy” – especially when the child is known to have auditory sensory issues.

Yet, alone, to have my parenting style critiqued because it is not the way you would raise your dogs… what?!?! During this incident I was told that our daughter wouldn’t be speaking in full sentences by age 8 because of my parenting style. Incidentally, that very afternoon Sahara said to me, “Mommy Look, come on this way!”

So, I spent the better part of the week calling and interviewing for new service providers while implementing a new behaviour modification program at home.

We received the results of the MRI; brain function appears normal. The EEG was exhausting this week. We had to awaken her at 2:30 AM, yes, I said AM! On the way to the hospital at 7:00 AM we had the windows rolled down. With the wind whirling around us we tried to keep her awake singing, “If you’re happy and you know it say there will be no ouches….”

Well, the tech was less than gentle and I felt just absolutely awful when Sahara said, "Ouch, It hurt!” I have to wonder why they can’t use markers instead of crayons to mark the child’s head…. But Sahara was a trooper, she didn’t need to be strapped down and she left all of the electrodes alone.

We have been utilizing spiritual energy healing work the past few weeks (You know, as well as I, that the power of prayer (energy) is beyond human comprehension…) and, we have seen an extraordinary increase in purposeful speech, socialization and interaction since beginning with the certified energy worker as noted above. We have one more session… so I am open to the power of God healing this girl so she may have a productive, meaningful, happy life!!

However, The Electro Dermal Screening showed Sahara was off the chart with her gastrointestinal system including 20 subsets including the gall bladder, large and small intestines, kidneys, lymphatic, appendix, liver, parasites, bladder infection, pain, etc. … the EDS shows energetic disturbances through the meridians in the body. This prompted us to contact a doctor at the OSU Center for Integrative Medicine for a gastrointestinal and nutritional assessment including vitamin and mineral deficiency testing.

The internet is plastered with information about kids diagnosed with autism having gut issue. However, since she doesn’t have first hand vaccinations, I wasn’t sure she experienced this… but looks as if she does. So, heal thy gut.

(Hmmm… I just notice that if you take the space out of ‘heal thy gut’ – you get— ‘HEALTHY GUT’…. That is pretty cool!)

In addition to all of these things happening… I am adjusting to the country’s economic crisis hitting our home front with a significant pay reduction, trying to get ready for the community yard sale, continuing to chauffeur kids back and forth to appointments and activities, keeping up on the accounts payable and paper trails, spring cleaning, helping with homework, and preparing for summer vacation….

Today is the last day of school for Sahara… Emily has a week left… so, ready or not summer here we come.

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Ballet Met Columbus - Momentum: An Educational Dance Program -- BRAVO!

Chaperoning a field trip is tolerable at most. Ususally I walk away with admiration of the teachers we entrust our children to and relief that I am not in their shoes.... but today was different; today I spent the afternoon being inspired by 400 youth and found myself loving it!

Ballet Met Columbus puts on a yearly program called Momentum, an enrichment program using dance as the medium to enhance 4th graders’ ‘excellence, discipline, and self-confidence’ using The Ohio Department of Education’s Dance Content Standards.

Over the school year, dance instructors come to the seven participating schools and instruct the students weekly about movement, self-control, and dance. At the end of the year the students unite as a large collective group to perform on the stage the choreographed program for their parents, teachers, next year’s performers, and donors.

The program was appropriately titled One World - One Beat. It beautifully illustrated cultures from around the world through music and dance. However, what I found more intriguing was the communion of cultures on the stage.

To see a diverse group of kids from the urban and suburban schools uniting was truly inspirational. I have never chaperoned an event that brought tears to my eyes… but today definitely triggered that within me; the kids were alive, electric, and full of confidence— a refreshing expression among a generation faced with many hard realities that were unfamiliar to us when we were kids!

The 3rd graders in the audience were so respectful and captured by the grace of the performers. I am sure they were experiencing the thrill of their schoolmates being on a theater stage and the anticipation of their own dance adventure next year.

I couldn’t help but wish that each child in the world had an opportunity to express themselves like these children did today!

Bravo!

The performance will be aired on television in Ohio... Although I couldn't get the specific information, if interested you may want to contact Ballet Met Columbus directly.

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Hydrating Your Body Without Draining Your Wallet: Money Saving Tip #5

The best water of choice is artesian— complete with salts and minerals of the earth.

Lourdes (natural artesian water from France) is considered a miraculous water source and widely recognized as Holy Water among Catholics. This Holy Water has been known to cure sicknesses… I assume this is in relation to artesian water having all the electrolytes the body needs to maintain health. The chemical compounds of artesian water are most conducive with the chemistry of the human body. No wonder it is deemed miraculous.

However, when you are on a budget (and most families these days are), artesian water can be costly. If you ordered Lourdes water online it would cost approximately $132 per 1 1/3 gallon! (OUCH!)

Other artesian water sources that most people are familiar with are Fiji, Evian, and Perrier. You can expect to pay well over $1.00 for a 12 ounce bottle. However, some may argue that obtaining clean water with all the vital electrolytes necessary for the human body may be worth the extra cost.

We consume, as a family of four ,over 15 gallons of drinking water per week. That is over $150 per month just for water… again, if you are on a budget, this is difficult to manage.

If you opt out of the artesian water industry and go for spring water you can expect to pay near $1.00 per gallon. Although, that seems to be a more reasonable price, I do not think you are paying for quality. In order for a label to read ‘spring water’ it only needs to contain 10% spring water. As for the other 90% my best guess is it is probably from a municipal source.

But, even if you make this compromise you are still spending nearly $60 per month for 10% spring water. You end up paying 100% more than the water is really worth. If you read some labels closely the will even say ‘from a municipal source’. In this instance, you end up paying almost $.75 per gallon for something you could get straight from the tap. (That doesn’t make logical sense.)

While depriving the body of the essential electrolytes found naturally in the water extracted from deep within the earth, we compromise our health. Is that really worth it? I cannot answer that question for you— that is a personal decision you will need to make. I do know that in our current economy many families are faced with financial cut backs and unfortunately sometimes that means eliminating things that are good for us.

Another option is to purchase a filtration system for your home. This will purify the water from harsh chemicals like Chlorine which is commonly found in home drinking water. When we moved into our current home, we went from well water to city water. I was astonished that our water straight from the tap smelled like a pool.

Your body absorbs during a 10-15 minute shower the same amount of chlorine you would consume in 8 – 8 ounce glasses of city water. Prolonged exposure to chlorine has been said to cause skin and eye irritation, lung disease, and even cancer.

Other contaminants removed through a filtration system are mercury, lead, and pesticides. Although a whole house filtration system is ideal it, too, can be costly— costing thousands of dollars. A quick cool shower is the best way to reduce toxic exposure without a filteration system.

A filter on the kitchen faucet or even a Britta Picture Filteration System can be well worth the investment. You can economically purchase a 10 cup picture for $21.99 after a $10 coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond. Each filter is good for 100 gallons and is less than $8.00 to replace. With the cost of city water averaging .02 cents per gallon our family can safely consume and cook with filtered water for $1.20 per month plus filter costs.

I am currently looking into how to replace those electrolytes we are missing from true artisian water. I am sure that maybe even supplementing this charcoal filtered water with a bottle of Evian would help... But this seems to be the best economic choice and a step in the right direction towards clean drinking water.

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GFCF Cherry-Chocolate Cake: Recipe of the Week

This cake is so moist!! Nobody will know it is Gluten/Caisen Free!!

2 Cups Rice Flour
2/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
2 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1 tsp. Baking Soda
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
3 Eggs
1 2/3 Cups Raw Cane Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
¾ Cup Cherry Syrup (From the Jar of cherries)

6 ounces Strawberry Soy Yogurt
1 Cup Water
2 Cups Dark Morello Cherries in syrup

Combine rice flour, cocoa, xanthan gum, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla with electric beaters. Beat in yogurt and Cherry Syrup reserved from cherries.

Add 1/2 the flour mixture - beat, 1/2 the water- beat, the rest of the flour mixture - beat, and the rest of the water - mix.

Fold in cherries.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes in a greased 9x13 cake pan. Cool before frosting. Or serve with powder sugar dusted on top.

Frosting

3 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
¾ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
¼ Cup Blue Diamond Natural Almond Breeze- Vanilla
3 TB Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread- original

Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; beat on medium until well blended.

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Mother's Day 2009

My birthday fell on Mother's Day this year; I felt like a Queen for the entire weekend!

Pampering, no dishes, no cleaning, no cooking… just wonderful TLC !

My daughters both made me a card at school and they were better than anything you could have purchased! Hallmark, Beware!

On Friday afternoon Sahara rushed in the door from school, unloaded her backpack, and said, “Happy Birthday!” OMG- such sweet words to my ears! She handed me a card and pointed at the purple handprint and said, “My Hand.”

That could have been all I got… 4 beautiful rare words. That in and of itself could have been the best present I received. But, then she hugged me and kissed me 3 times on each check. I about fell over as tears of joy streamed down my cheek! Her tenderness and heartfelt touches and kisses made me feel like the mother of the year!!

Then Emily came home 20 minutes later; she giggled as she concealed her surprise. She made me wait until today… of course today was my birthday and mother’s day… but the wait was so suspenseful— I felt like I was seven waiting to unwrap my Christmas presents.

I wasn’t surprised that she wrote me a Cross Stitch poem! She is a budding Emily Dickenson! I was choked up as I read this; I was certain she took careful consideration to each and every line she composed. Again, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and love. She, too, gave me kisses and hugs… a mother can never get enough of those.

You're my mommy and I love you, so this is for you:

Mommy
One and Only
The best
Hearing us when we need you
Early up in the morning
Really Nice

Dad loves you
A good mommy
You’re a good cook

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Artificial Dyes in Our Foods, Medications & Cosmetics...

I went to the grocery to purchase hot dogs for our first seasonal cookout… I was shocked when I read the label of a popular brand of dogs that read “Red #40”.

I put them down and went to the pasta aisle. My daughter had been begging me for some real Mac-n-cheese. (Now mind you, her definition and my definition of real differ quite a bit.) I thought this popular side dish would be an okay rare treat to go with the rare dogs, but…

Upon reading the label of the Mac-n-cheese I, also, found yellow dye #5 and #6, as well as monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the box. Having removed all foods containing artificial dyes some time ago from our diets, I just couldn’t do it. So, I left, knowing she was going to be heart-broken… no dogs or Mac-n-cheese!

I suppose that was a small price to pay for her health—Let me explain…

Our foods are laced with millions (yes, millions) of pounds of artificial coal-tar and petroleum based dyes (Red #3, Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, and Red #40).

Americans consume more than 17.8 million pounds of dyes through food, medication, and cosmetics each year. Your child is expected to consume between 1-3 pounds by the time he/she reaches the age of 13! I am perplexed that the average person doesn’t question some of the food practices we have in this country.

While some dyes are used to make the product look more appealing to the target consumer (blue and pink yogurt) others are used to cover up the beginning stage of spoilage of products such as meat. And yet, other dyes are being used as a procedure to make under-ripe foods look ready to eat as in apples and strawberries. We also have dyes in our pet food, pill coatings, cosmetics, shampoos, ice creams, and popsicles—really the list is endless.

According to Dr. Feingold dyes are toxins to the human body:

Red #3 – Linked to thyroid tumors and chromosomal damage – FDA tried and failed to ban it.

Red #40 – Linked to Lymphomas (lymph tumors) - Banned in European Economic Community (EEC)

Blue # 1 – Linked to chromosomal damage – Banned in France and Finland

Blue # 2 – Linked to Brain tumors – Banned in EEC

Green #3 Linked to Bladder tumors – Banned in EEC

Yellow #5 – Linked to allergies, thyroid tumors, lymphocytic lymphomas, chromosomal damage – Banned in Norway

Yellow # 6 – Linked to allergies, kidney tumors, chromosomal damage – Banned in Norway and Sweden

Isn’t this an awful large risk to take to change the natural color of the foods we eat?

Other findings I came across linked the use of artificial dyes to Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Is it not logical to look at what we are fueling our children with as a possible link to some of the violence, behavior, and developmental issues that are running ramped in today’s industrialized world? I urge everyone to read every label of food that crosses your lips, of products that touch your skin, and more.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest asked the FDA to ban the most common artificial dyes or at least put a warning label on the food packaging: "Warning: The artificial coloring in this food causes hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children." Yet, the FDA maintains these additives are generally safe.

I cannot tell you what will or will not happen if your child (or you) consumes the globs of artificial dyes in our products, but I can say educate yourself! And If you are concerned with the use of petroleum and coal-tar additives in your foods, meds, and cosmetics here is a few suggestions on how to protect yourself:

1. Write your congressperson and senator and ask them to become more proactive in the government regulation of food safety.

2. Keep a food journal to see what reactions or behaviors your child exhibits after consuming foods laced with these ingredients (with any ingredients, really). Eliminate the foods of suspicion and see if behaviors change.

3. Avoid all foods containing artificial dyes and colors or U.S. Certified Colors.

4. Eat organic certified fruits and vegetables or shop at a local coop/farm.

5. Avoid cosmetics and toiletries containing these ingredients.

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Recipe of the Week: GFCF Taco Casserole

1 # ground beef
4 TB Homemade Taco Seasoning
2 cups Chicken Stock
1 TB Xantham Gum
1 cup Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream
1 can Diced Tomatoes with Chilies (or 3 fresh tomatoes + optional chili for heat)
1 bag of Tortilla Corn Chips
1 block, Grated Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative- Cheddar
2 chopped scallions

Add taco spices to browned meat.

While meat is browning whisk stock and xantham gum together, add to meat after the spices have incorporated. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Add sour cream, chilies and tomatoes. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Place chips in greased baking dish and top with beef mixture, cheddar cheese and onions. Bake 375 of 20 minutes.

Serve with fresh guacamole and salsa and a garden salad.

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The Mother Consciousness

It is time for us to reclaim our innate rights and restore our instincts as they guide us towards true health and security for the children of the today and of the future.

We must reinvest in the natural development of our children behaviorally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

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The Many Wonderful Things About May!!

May Is Here!

Okay, let’s be frank—I love May.

It is a beautiful month when the earth comes back to life. The snow is gone, the smell of fresh cut grass is in the air, and the tulips & lilac bushes are blooming. (I love lilacs and wish they were in bloom much longer than they are—it may be the best fragrance I have ever encountered… well, that is except the smell of a new baby.)

Mothers everywhere are honored on the second Sunday of May and given the pampering they deserve. Although, I think we should honor our mothers every day and not just on a Hallmark Day. Regardless of the motivation, I love Mother’s Day. Not just because I get breakfast in bed and get to choose the family outing, but I feel more connected with the collective mother energy (and for that I am grateful).

I was born on Mother’s Day 1970 and accept this as my birthright to love this day. (But I think I would have loved it even if it weren’t my birthright.) I feel an overwhelming connection with my own mother on this day regardless of how near or far we are.

I remember, as a child, in Mid-May loving the May Crowning ritual in the Catholic Church—a mass complete with a procession honoring The Virgin Mary; the floral scents, the beautiful hymns, and homage, all, honoring The Queen of the May. I have called upon Mother Mary during some of my darkest times and know she has guided me through some of the difficulties of motherhood. (And who better to help someone with a child that is different than the Mother of Jesus?)

Over the years May has taken on symbolism and meaning for other’s as well. Here are just a few of the many things that May helps bring awareness to:

Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month
Better Hearing & Speech Month
Breathe Easy Month
Clean Air Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Family Support Month
Fibromyalgia Awareness Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Business Image Improvement Month
Law Enforcement Appreciation Month
Melanoma Prevention Month
Bike Month
Book Moth
Egg Month

Good Car Keeping Month
Hamburger Month
Mental Health Month
Moving Month
Physical Fitness Month
Salsa Month
Women’s Health Care Month

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Money Saving Tip #4: Shop Smart While Buying More Organic and Healthy Foods

Managing a healthier home may seem overwhelming when embarking upon this new lifestyle. When we started changing the foods we ate, I used to argue it was too expensive to eat all organic and healthy food. Now I have learned to shop smarter. Here are my top 10 ways to save money while shopping organic:

1) Buy only what you need by creating a week’s menu. Check the pantry and refridgerator for what is on the menu for the week and make your list accordingly. This will prevent purchasing more than you need and result in fewer things ending up in the garbage from spoilage.

2) Freeze left over's- they make great snacks, lunches or meals for those busy nights.

3) Buy bulk or a share from a local farm. If this is too much product for you look for another family to share the food with.

4) Comparison shop. Take an afternoon and go to the stores you purchase from and find out which one has the better deals on specific products. (This might surprise you.) Use the flyers that come in the mail to see what is on sale, even the regular stores will advertise which organic or natual products are on sale.

5) Take cash. Only commit to spending the allotted amount with you. This will force you to stay on the list and within budget.

6) NEVER shop hungry. I sometimes wonder if that is why they have those tasting stands. The customer comes in hungry looking for samle and ends up purchasing more than the intended... it is all about marketing.

7) Give the children their own list. This will give them something productive to do while learning life skills (instead of impulse shopping for you).

8) Avoid processed foods. These foods are have with no true nutritional value. Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables instead.

9) Don't wash produce before storing- that will increase the rancidification process.

10) Get coupons. Yes, there are coupons available for healthy foods too.

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