Monthly Archives: September 2008

Nutritional Deficiences In Children

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This is the last post for this months topic focus Children’s Health. Should your child experience any of the symptoms listed below consider that there may be an underlying nutrient defeciency contributing to the cause

This list was graciously supplied by Nutritionist Barbara Lagoni. Many of these concerns are also discussed in books written by devoted Pediatric Allergist Dr. Doris Rapp.

Quality nutritional supplementation impacts the well being of nutritionally challenged children without the use of drugs.

Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies In Children

Bedwetting

Persistent colds

Hyperactivity

Reoccurring nose bleeds

Mouth breathing

Poor school performance

Reoccurring ear infections

Headaches

Chronic winter coughs

Irritability

Dark circles under the eyes

Leg and muscle cramps

Allergies

Puffiness in the face

Constipation

Diarrhea

Fatigue

Wheezing

Spots on the tongue

Twitchiness

Stomach aches

Excessive sweating

Stuffy nose

Poor attention span

Picky eater

Other Posts of Interest:

Nutrition on the go for busy teens and college kids

Nutrients for optimal learning and behavior 

Nutrition and Autism 

What is it about school that makes my child sick? 

Prenatal Nutrition 

Awesome Infant Toddler Multi-Vitamin 

Picky Eaters – High Quality Chewable Vitamins

Childhood Obesity 

Top Ten Food Additives to Avoid 

Guest Author: Pat Wyman – Learning Expert 


adorable child sneeze flickr image credit 

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success
708.482.0678
 
Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss

Member of BNI – West Suburban BNI: “Chapter Mentor”
Member of West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs www.wswe.org
WSWE Board Member and Programming Chair

 

To Consume Or Not To Consume

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The theme for this month’s Green Mom’s Carnival is Commercialism of the Holidays hosted by the lovely Michelle at Green Bean Dreams

When the theme was announced I was immediately reminded of this event:

In the country there was a farm I used to take my kids to where we would purchase our pumpkins. They had mountains of glorious orange globes.  Picturesque hay stacks, rows and rows of sunflowers where the kids could pick the seeds and eat, piles of knotty eclectic gourds, and colorful indian corn.  They pressed apples into cider there and someone was always there making homemade cider doughnuts.  It was elegantly simple and charming.

One year when we arrived the entire mood of the place had changed, there were lines of cars to get in, the parking had become remote – we actually had to pay a fee to park! There were carnival rides spewing smoke into the air, and vendor after vendor selling cheap manufactured craft like items.

All I could think about was that I had to pay a fee to buy a pumpkin?

My kids were lured into the entire scene.

Look Mommy!! 

Oh Mommy would you buy me this?

Can we get ….

I want to go on the carousel…

I was absolutely furious.

I wrote a letter to the farmer, who to his credit wrote me back on very nice pumpkin stationary.  Mind you, he didn’t particulary appreciate my discust for his whole new commercial approach to pumpkin farming.

I told him I came for a very specific feeling and expression and that I could no longer find there.

I also told him I didn’t buy a pumpkin.

He told me how sad it made him that I didn’t purchase a pumpkin. 

He then for about 3 pages explained the demise of the american farmer and that the pumpkin festival was the only way he could break even from the whole thing.  He mentioned how he had trouble feeding his family, the tone of the explanations were defensive and angry.  He told me I didn’t know what I was talking about. He was right. I knew nothing about the american farmer. His comment about not being able to feed his family floored me. Not the image I think of with food growing all around. I felt even worse. 

I never did go back to his farm. I tried to grow my own pumpkins and didn’t have much luck. As my kids got older Halloween changed for us and the control I tried to have as a parent shifted; at some level  the sugar, commercialized store bought costumes and foreign made decor won.  I gave in. 

Looking back and thinking differently now about consumerism or even thinking about becoming an empty nester and having to move all that crap, I feel ashamed that I made some of those purchase decisions, lured by the oh buy me call. 

I wish I could take back the money I wasted – it would have made a nice contribution to the college fund.  I wish I had been more thoughtful of the impact my purchasing has on the environment. Or what machinery my dollars were contributing to.  Recently it occured to me that the special unique thing I might be attracted to buy at Target is available to millions of people around the country. Certainly doesn’t make me an individual anymore. It makes me just like everyone else.  I took so much of that for granted before. I wish I had thought about it more instead of just going along. 

I think the choice to consume or not to consume is a conscientious one – choosing not to get caught in the hum of it all, choosing local homemade, homegrown, and back somehow to the simplicity of these holidays isn’t as easy as it sounds.

I have decades worth of halloween decor in my basement.  In recent years I have tried to give some of it away. At least at the local resale shop the purchasing goes to cause. Truth is I just don’t need it anymore 

Do we really need that plastic tray with the cute pumpkins all over it? 

Would the world end if we didn’t get it?? 


alluring vintage plastic halloween from flickr

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success
708.482.0678
 
Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss

Member of BNI – West Suburban BNI: “Chapter Mentor”
Member of West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs www.wswe.org
WSWE Board Member and Programming Chair

 

The 1996 McDonald's Hamburger FAQ

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The little 1996 McDonald’s Burger that could….

Who would have EVER thought that a show and tell prop and photograph of a 1996 McDonald’s Hamburger could cause such a bloggy stir?

Who would have ever known the devotion so many have to the almighty McDonalds Hamburger?

For those of you who were supportive, inquisitive and kind in your commentary – thank you.

For the many bloggers who shared the post – wow – my analytics show we’ve reached 49 plus countries!

For those who called me a liar, had disbelief in the validity of the burger and discounted me – well, those are the thoughts you are entitled to have. I didn’t respond because there were so many of you. I didn’t see the value of defending my simple experiment.

My intent for my blog post was to share something that amazes me to this very day, a burger I bought 12 years ago that looks like it did the very day I bought it.

Since many of you asked,  here are the answers to some of your questions…
 
The 1996 McDonalds Hamburger FAQ:

Did I freeze it? No

WHY would someone hold onto a burger for 12 years? Why not?

Where did you get the idea? A fellow sales leader shared with me that she had heard of someone who saved a burger and a twinkie and that it had never molded. I thought no way – I HAD to see for myself.

I heard of someone who had a twinkie like that. I have a twinkie too – mine is 5 years older than Michael Pollen’s twinkie, profound author of the Omnivore Dilemna

“The omnivore’s dilemma has returned with a vengeance, as the cornucopia of the modern American supermarket and fast-food outlet confronts us with a bewildering and treacherous food landscape. What’s at stake in our eating choices is not only our own and our children’s health, but the health of the environment that sustains life on earth.”

What did you do with the burger? I bought a plain hamburger, because that is what I was told the other person did. I separated the pieces – the bottom and top bun and the patty and put them on a plate in the cupboard. I would speculate that the burger sat on that plate in my cupboard over a year

Is there mold on the bun? Not one ounce of mold

What about the box you kept it in? The box I kept it in was not Tupperware, it was a sandwich box and as you can see it bannered the brand Welch’s Grape jam.

Where did you keep the box? In a drawer

Are you a nutritionist? No

Are you a dietician? No

Are you a teacher? No

What is my workshop Healthy Choices for Children? My community has an adult education division at the local high school. I pitched three workshop ideas to them and they hired me. Within that dynamic I created the workshop mentioned in the burger post – Healthy Choices for Children – I based it on a workshop someone else had shared with me, my personal experience in shifting to the alternative food market . My workshop was a way to get my name out into the community about my services and products. Grassroots marketing. I taught it twice a year for 10 years.

Do I sell vitamins? Yes, proudly for the number one nutrition company in the US. Selling vitamins and green cleaning supplies is how I earn my living. I have been an independent distributor for this company for 13 years

Was I a size 24? Yes. A car accident in 2001 had me in recovery for 2 years, during that time I became very sedentary and I gained a tremendous amount of weight. Judging someone by their weight is shameful. It’s positively mortifying to be obese. Because I have been there I understand the hopelessness one can feel, and want to help others to not go through what I have experienced. In recent years I took off 56 pounds despite another car accident and the loss of use of my hand. I share this because of some of the mean comments circulating. Have you ever been overweight?

What about the beef? It’s 100% USDA! Ever hear of factory farming? Please Educate Yourself: Watch The Meatrix

What about the wrapper? If my local McDonalds is using wrap circa 2003 as so many of you believe, that is certainly something I can’t comment on, I bought the 2008 burger last week.

I think the 1996 burger looks ” better” than the 2008 one – don’t you?

You’re just looking for blog traffic: Hits on my blog? I have to admit that was pretty fun. Sure, bloggers appreciate hits, especially if they monetize their blog. I don’t monetize my blog. Some bloggers, like myself want readership and usually have a message to share. It will be interesting to see how many readers stay when I’m talking about healthful alternatives instead of 12 year old burgers.

How do I do my own test? I don’t blame you if you find this unbelievable, that’s what prompted me to conduct a test. Now it’s your turn to create your own proof. Buy a burger, put it on a plate in your cupboard for a few years, keep it in a plastic box in your drawer for another 10 and call me. By that time mine will be 24 years old and we’ll write a joint blog post together.

It’s nothing but a scare tactic! No, it’s nothing but a personal test brought to the court of public opinion. Don’t pour ketchup on the messenger. Every one can draw their own conclusion, but it certainly makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

My favorite comment: I’ll pay you $5 to eat it right now!

Use facts. This burger demonstration makes perfect sense in the context of my workshop. Those are my facts. The workshop is nonjudgmental and all about choice. Eating McDonald’s is a choice. For some, seeing this burger has persuaded them to not eat or feed their children McDonalds ever again. As far as I am concerned that’s the point and my personal opinion.

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success
708.482.0678

Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss

Member of BNI – West Suburban BNI: “Chapter Mentor”
Member of West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs www.wswe.org
WSWE Board Member and Programming Chair

Top Ten Food Additives To Avoid

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This was my gig in the early 90′s.

I began to read labels and I decided that I wanted to do better for myself and my family.  I had a horrific diet, it showed up in my health and well being and I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren. The list below is from my informative three session workshop called Healthy Choices for Children. I created this class based on self exploration and discovery and as a way to spread the word.

The list below is an information sheet that was used as a basis for discussion. It is all referenced from a book that inspired me.

18 years later much of these food additives still exist; saccharin is pervasive in toothpaste and gum, maraschino cherry supplies have yet to run out, aspartame is a horrific addiction issue for many. Blue foods had a recent resurgence. The fact is these additives are exactly that - These are certainly not necessary for us to eat.

Below was my original list of things I refused to eat or serve my family.  It took me two years to clean it up and switch my pantry and my habits

Sourced from: Diet for a Poisoned Planet – How to choose safe foods for you and your family. (1990) by David Steinman - who is totally one of my heroes.

His recent campaigning is about unveiling the concerns of 1-4 Dioxane

Top Ten Food Additives to Avoid:

1. Aspartame

Also known as NutraSweet or Equal. Used as a sweetener. See methanol poisoning – page 190

Found in: Diet Pop, table top sweeteners, cereal, breathmints, pudding, jello, kool-aid, ice tea, chewable vitamins, gum, toothpaste and more….

2. BHA, BHT, TBHQ

Preservative- keeps foods from changing color, changing flavor or becoming rancid. Effects the neurological system of the brain, alters behavior and has potential to cause cancer

Found in: Potato chips, gum, cereal, frozen sausages, enriched rice, lard, shortening, candy, jello

3. Blue #1 and Blue #2

Often not listed on the label

Banned in Norway, Finland and France

May cause chromosomal damage

Found in: candy, cereal, soft drinks, sports drinks and pet foods

4. BVO ( Brominated Vegetable Oil)

Used as an emulsifier and as a clouding agent

Bromate the main ingredient is a poison

Traces can be found in human fat tissue

Found in: orange pop, sports drinks

5. Citrus Red #2

Used to color skins of Florida oranges

May cause cancer and chromosomal damage

FDA has recommended a ban

6. MSG ( monosodium glutamate )

A food flavor enhancer that effects the person ingesting that food. Common symptom is headaches other symptoms include: flushing of the skin, tightness of the chest, heart palpatations and nausea. Can trigger allergic or asthmatic reactions. Also found in two other commonly used additives hydrolyzed vegetable or plant protein and autolyzed yeast.

Found in: chinese food ( Chinese Restaurant Syndrome ) many snacks, chips, cookies, seasonings, most Campbell Soup products, frozen dinners , lunch meats and more

7. Red dye # 3 (also Red #40 – a more current dye)

Banned in 1990 after 8 years of debate from use in many foods and cosmetics. This dye continues to be on the market until supplies run out! Has been proven to cause thyroid cancer and chromosomal damage in laboratory animals, may also interfere with brain-nerve transmission

Found in: fruit cocktail, maraschino cherries, cherry pie mix, ice cream, candy, bakery products and more! Red #40 is suspected of being a carcinogen

8. Saccharin

Ten years after the FDA proposed banning, saccharin is still on the market. Studies in Canada confirmed what American studies have suggested: saccharin poses a significant risk of cancer for humans.

Found in: soft drinks, gum and toothpaste

9. Sodium Nitrate

Prevents spoilage that could lead to botulism and to retain color in meats. Nitrates can form cancer causing compounds in the gastrointestinal tract. Food with Nitrates should always be ingested with vitamin C rich foods. Often food companies will add vitamin C to nitrate cured foods.

Found in: cured meats such as bacon, ham and luncheon meat, hot dogs, anything smoked.

10. Yellow #6

Banned in Norway and Sweden

Increases the number of kidney and adrenal gland tumors in laboratory animals, may cause chromosomal damage.

Found in: American cheese, macaroni and cheese, candy and carbonated beverages, lemonade and more!

Foods to avoid: Red Light Foods or pesticide saturated foods - Peanuts, raisins, hot dogs, salami, bacon, bologna, fast food burgers ( including buns etc. ) ground beef, liver, pork sausages, roast beef, sirloin, veal, venison.
Fish ( see book ) Milk products including cheese. Processed foods such as: French fries, frozen pizza, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, coffee cake, milk chocolate, pumpkin pie, dill pickles, peanut butter, potato chips, hydrogenated oils, cottonseed, palm, coconut, “pure” olive oil, soybean oil


toxic flickr image

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success
708.482.0678
 
Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss

Member of BNI – West Suburban BNI: “Chapter Mentor”
Member of West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs www.wswe.org
WSWE Board Member and Programming Chair 

1996 McDonalds Hamburger

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I teach a workshop titled Healthy Choices for Children.  It’s a class for parents seeking solutions to how to improve the way they eat. It’s about the alternative food market, organics, and the top ten food additives to avoid and why, menu planning and more.  It’s a 3 session fabulously informative interactive class.

Below is my absolutely favorite prop.

People are always astounded when I share this.

I have used this as show and tell for a very long time.

This is a hamburger from McDonalds that I purchased in 1996.

That was 12 years ago.

Note that it looks exactly like it did the very day I bought it.

The flecks on the burger are crumbs from the bun.

The burger is starting to crumble a bit.

It has the oddest smell.

The paper and bag in the backround is circa 2008 – to add decor to the photo. My friend Robyn’s idea.

This is the retro welch’s grape juice plastic container I have always kept it in. People always ask me – what did you do to preserve it ?

Nothing – it preserved itself.

Ladies, Gentleman, and children alike – this is a chemical food. There is absolutely no nutrition here.

Not one ounce of food value.  Or at least value for why we are eating in the first place.

The burger on the right, off the paper is a 2008 burger.  I had to buy it to get the groovy paper and bag.

The meat is a tad darker, the bun a little less golden but in 12 years it will look exactly like that too.

Do you find this horrifying?

McDonalds fills an empty space in your belly. It does nothing to nourish the cell, it is not a nutritious food.

It is not a treat.

I marvel at how McDonalds has infiltrated our entire world. A hamburger here tastes exactly the same in China or some around the world place.

It’s cloned.

Makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Do me a favor and share this.

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success