Do Kids Watch Too Much TV?

I don't know many kids that don't watch tv and it seems kids are watching more tv and shows that may not be really appropriate.
According to an article I read recently, preschoolers are watching an average of 4 hours of tv a day! I know everybody likes a good cartoon now and again but 4 hours of tv?! I remember watching tv as a young kid and the cartoons were the ones that came on Saturday mornings. I don't even know if that was 4 hours per week. I realize that may not be the case now. There are cartoons on 24/7 on some channels. But does that mean that we should let our kids watch tv just because it's there and something to do?
Personally, I think every thing in moderation. A cartoon or two a day maybe, but 4 hours is a lot! I like to see my daughter play, look at books, use her imagination, and run around outside instead of sitting indoors hooked on the latest cartoon/show.
Want to read a little more about this?
Any thoughts on the subject?
Here is the article that got me thinking about this today
http://www.naturalnews.com/031402_preschoolers_television.html

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope that everyone has a great day full of love (which is the best gift to give or get by the way) whether it's from a partner/spouse, children, friends or someone else, it's great to know you're loved!

And just so you know..... we love all of our customers :)

Thank you and hopefully you enjoy this day and every day.

How To Eat Well Without Breaking The Bank

Everyone knows how important it is to eat well but for a lot of us organic food just doesn't seem to fit into an already tight budget.

Well, I came across an article today that gives some ideas on how to be able to afford more organic foods on a realistic budget and just thought I should share :)

Hope you find some ideas that work for you!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robyn-o/how-real-people-on-real-b_b_645936.html

Urinary Tract Infection :(

Anybody who has had a urinary tract infection knows what a pain (literally) that can be. This week my 4 year old got one :(

Over the last few days it seems like every where we went she said she had to go to the bathroom. I wasn't sure if she just wanted to see all of the bathrooms, sometimes that happens, or she really felt she had to go but I didn't want to tell her no if she really did have to go. Well, after a few days of that she said her belly and her back hurt and I noticed she was going to the bathroom even more. Then it hit me that she probably had a UTI.

Not being too fond of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, I started giving her part of a cranberry capsule and a homeopathic for bladder irritation and can see a definite difference in one day!

If you are interested in a non antibiotic way to deal with those irritating UTI's you should definitely stop in and check out cranberry, homeopathic remedies, and other products we carry that could help give you relief!!

Just Me Thinking.....

I heard on the news and have seen many stories on the internet about new recommendations of fluoride levels. Now some are saying that we are getting too much fluoride and it's causing problems. Well..... here's my thinking, if you are getting fluoride from your water, toothpaste, mouth wash, and that's not including fluoride from food you are eating (yep, from our food including infant formula), it would make sense that you are more than likely getting way too much. http://www.fluoridealert.org/f-sources.htm
But here's another thought, is fluoride something that your body is deficient in??? I don't think so. If it's not something our body is deficient in then why are we adding it? Our body works wonderfully if we give it what it needs. I am by no means a doctor or dentist this is just a thought that popped into my head the other day while reading a news story about how the fluoride levels should be lowered. I have however read why fluoride is so bad for you and why people really should stay away from it so although it is maybe a step in the right direction to lower levels, I do think we should just stay away from it.
Want to know why I think we should buy fluoride free toothpaste, mouth wash, filter our water, etc? Look at this website
http://www.fluoridealert.org/fluoride-facts.htm

On the topic of substances our body is deficient in, can you think of anything else we add to our bodies that is supposed to be helpful but may not be????
I can think of a few! (Vaccines, certain pharmaceuticals,etc)
Maybe we should be thinking about things in a little different way. Maybe before taking or using something we should ask ourselves if it is something we are deficient in and is it going to work with our body in a gentle and effective way. If not maybe we should reconsider and look for a better alternative :)
~Amy

Hand Sanitizers

I read an article about hand sanitizers today. It was saying that numerous environmental organizations wanted to ban a common ingredient, triclosan. You can read the article here

http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/health/82-environmental-organizations-seek-ban-on-hand-sanitizer/

Triclosan is found in everything from children's toys, household items, antibacterial soap, and more and is bad for many reasons from being harmful to the environment to being linked to cancer.

So what's a person to do, especially during cold and flu season???

Plain soap and water and good hand washing practices are best.

But there are times when soap and water isn't available and I still really want to feel like my hands are clean so for those times I personally use a natural hand spray or hand wipe.

These are usually a blend of oils that are antibacterial and work just as well as non natural sprays but with the natural sprays or wipes are safe for kids!!

Want to learn more about a more natural option?

Look at http://www.cleanwelltoday.com/ and if you're interested stop in and check it out :)

Mice!

One of my favorite magazines (this was online though) recently had an article that I thought I would share. http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/how-to-get-rid-of-mice-zm0z10zhun.aspx

I know that many people have mice and would love to keep them away, I know we sure do. I would love it if I never had to see little signs that a mouse has been in our house, never have to clean up after one, and never have to be surprised by the occasional sighting.

I have tried quite a few things and have to say that peppermint oil like this short article suggested does seem to work the best. Just an FYI though, I have to refresh the peppermint once every week or so. If I forget or get kind of lazy about it then it doesn't usually take long and another little house guest is back :(

But after trying all kinds of non toxic ideas, this by far worked the best.

Just thought I would share for those of you that might be looking for a little relief from the unwanted house guest :)