News You Can Use. A Dose of the D!

What?? are you surprised this is NOT about potty training? Me too.

This post is about Vitamin D. I have been reading and hearing a lot about this vitamin. I have had quite a few runner friends that have been low on the D- that's a shame because it is very very important for daily function! Without vitamin D the body cannot take up and use enough calcium as it should. We need calcium for healthy bones and teeth!

Study after study shows low levels of vitamin D is linked to nearly every health condition you can think of: heart disease, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and much more.

Who is the most at risk of vitamin D deficiency?? Exclusively breastfed babies--that's who? Seems strange if you ask me, but it's a fact. Even though breastfeeding is considered the ideal form of nourishment for infants, breast milk does not have enough concentrations of vitamin D.

As a vitamin found in many foods (eggs yolks, fish and fortified products)most kids don't get enough from foods alone. Here are some ways to ensure your kids ( and you!!) get enough vitamin D:

Incorporate vitamin D-rich foods: eggs and fortified foods like cow's milk, soy milk. rice milk, cereals and bread. Read the nutrition label for vitamin content as well. (400 IU/day is ideal).

Ask your doctor how mush fish is safe for your child to eat. Fish boasts vitamin D, some types of fish( shark, some tunas and swordfish) might have too much mercury. It's probably best not to eat more than 2 servings of lower-mercury fish a week such as catfish, salmon, shrimp, tilapia and clams.

Ask your doctor for a prescription for vitamin D drops after the birth of your baby. Breastfeeding is still the best way to nourish newborns and babies throughout at least the first 6 months. The drops just ensure that your baby is even healthier.

Go out and play! The sun offers lots of benefits and not just a burn! Just make sure to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen to your child even on cloudy days. The sun exposure will help their bodies produce vitamin D.

Establishing good habits in infancy and childhood will most likely carry over into adulthood. Making sure that your kids get 400 IU daily of vitamin D may help curb infections and fend off health problems such as osteoporosis, cancer and autoimmune diseases as an adult.

Good to know!

*info was gathered from an article in Family magazine. Article written by: Michael Wood M.D.*

I love salsa, how bout you!??!

I can (and do) eat it by the spoonful! I have caught Amara doing it as well...I can't tell her NOT to since I have no plans in stopping myself!

Head on over to EAT OXYGEN for a chance to win 3 jars of Don Sabrosa salsa. One flavor I am DYING to try is blueberries, peaches and honey. I don't even care for peaches at all, but this combo in salsa sounds awesome!
Go ahead and try your luck at winning 3 jars. I hope I win though!

Vegetables??? No thanks!

Why do kids stop eating their veggies?? Both of my children were great veggie eaters as babies. Not so much anymore. Amara is 5 and will eat: salad, carrots, broccoli, green beans and fresh asparagus. I won't complain, but I wish she would eat a better variety. It's offered and it's a struggle. I choose to pick my battles. At least she is eating the other ones well.

Miles on the other hand will eat: green beans. Yup. That's it. And it's not easy either. I have to bribe him almost every time too. He's bribed with a spoonful of peanut butter or a bowl of blueberries! (at least its not candy anymore). I try to pick my battles with him as well, but I want him to EAT his veggies. He used to be a champ at eating the broccoli-not so much anymore. Ugh. I have tried to hide them in casseroles and all the usual places, but Miles is not into foods like that. He's not into a conglomerate of foods. Just plain. A sandwich he can disassemble and eat. A bowl of apples sauce. A tray of green beans. He likes it plain and simple. He does not eat what the rest of of eats for dinner. I am fine with making him a PB sandwich and yogurt and fruit with a side of green beans! I basically give him what he asks for or what I know he will eat ( pick my battles). I still want him to eat a variety of vegetables though. Fruit is no problem. I am sure he goes well over the RDA everyday-no doubt.

Any advise would be much appreciated!

The green stuff in the garden

I have not been in the garden today. Well I take that back. I just got back from taking a stroll in there, and did not do any work in the garden today. We apparently got a good rain last night ( I slept threw it). It must have done a lot better than my efforts with the hose because we have more peas and broccoli! I think it's broccoli. It's broccoli or a very consistent weed that's turning up every 18 inches in a nice row. I will google it later. It better be broccoli! The rain also brought back all of the weeds I just picked. Dang.
A friend told me that cayenne pepper might be a good rabbit repellent for my strawberries so I need to go buy some and sprinkle that very soon. She also uses glass jars full of water placed around the plants. The thought behind that is that the reflection from the water scares the innocent bunnies away! I will wait to hear if it helps or not before I try that one.
I think Amara and I both needed a garden break. She did not even ask about it today!
She is getting a bit more excited to try things in the garden ( so she says now). She wants to try the watermelon and probably even the bell peppers if they are fun colors. She is not so sure about the banana peppers ( too hot!), or the squash ( I do not like squash momma) or the onions( yuck).
Miles will just about try anything you put in front of him. He is loving green beans ( bee bees) and asparagus ( bee bees) these days. He wants to eat salad, but I will feel better about that after he gets more teeth! He was all about the edamame I had on my salad though. A bit hard for him to chew but he kept asking for " Mo, Mo peese!" Who could say no to that?!?