May 18, 2010
Sugar…. I like it… do you?
This whole Health Care Debate has me in a tizzy. The question becomes even when we have health care for all, are we looking at the fine print, and more importantly, what is the real issue here. Much of this issue is the state of our health in the nation. Juvenile diabetes is up, Up, UP!! Why you say,… well just take a walk into one of your weekly birthday celebrations. 
It is not enough for the children to run around and have little piece of cake. But now they must be provided with soda, juice, and goody bags full of sweets. No parent would ever deny a child more soda if they are thirsty, especially if it would make them look bad to other parents (do you know what is in a can of soda?)… and you know, these kids get thirsty. I guess water is hardly an option anymore unless the child specifically asks for it. Even at family celebrations, it is only polite to be serving cake, ice cream, and pastries for dessert. Dessert is taken to the next level and the snacks on the shelf in the grocery store qualify for the same category as desserts when I grew up. Parents profess to be aware, but when it comes to this celebration and that celebration we give in… it seems like every day!! I do not claim to be perfect… far from it. All I am saying is there is a lot of talk among parents agreeing on this but when it comes to focusing on your own children and family, it is hard to adjust. That is when the health of our children gets worse, and worse.
Get Informed -
Google It:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/shapingnj/partners.shtml
http://www.whale.to/v/sugar_q.html
http://www.facebook.com/SmartHabitsFans#!/SmartHabitsFans?v=wall
Get Cerebral:
http://www.techjackal.net/other/2010/04/22/sugar-is-not-so-sweet-for-your-health/
http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v10/n6/full/oby200266a.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63J69U20100420
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/news/02/q2/0620-hoebel.htm
April 18, 2010
Your child may not need that booster shot and the law is on your side.
I have a beautiful four and a half year old boy with autism. In our case he showed signs since birth, but was not diagnosed until after the age of two, after his initial MMR vaccine. After so much angst, expense, tears and most of all, effort we were making progress towards healing him. Our son Emerson, “Little Em” was finally starting to say words and look us in the eyes, then came time for his MMR booster shot. We were sick to our stomachs wondering if this booster would cause regression and thwart all our efforts. The vision of injecting him with something that could hurt him further literally brought tears to my eyes. After much research I found a few things out about the MMR “booster” and what our rights are in the State of New Jersey.
First, the MMR booster is not a booster at all. The initial vaccine inoculates approximately 94 to 95% of the population receiving it. The booster is later administered across the board to simply increase the percentage up a few points to about 97 to 98%. So out of 100 children who initially receive the MMR, about 95 already have enough antibodies and do not require the follow up shot. Secondly, you are allowed to get what’s known as a titer test. This is a blood test to measure the amount of antibodies in the blood stream. If they are high enough, your child is exonerated from the follow up MMR vaccine. All day care facilities and schools must accept this and cannot prevent your child from attending if your child passes the required antibody levels on the titer.
Don’t Be Surprised If Doctors Are Resistant.
In our case we waited until we were in the doctor’s office to receive the booster when I notified the nurse who came in with the vaccine that we wanted a script for a titer. She became quite flustered and insisted that the booster was required. I calmly requested to meet with the doctor. He complied without hesitation, but what I find so disturbing is even with the knowledge of my son’s condition, I still had to garner this information elsewhere. Long story short, my son’s antibodies were high enough and he did not require the booster. I can’t say that vaccines had any ill effect Little Em, but after all we have been going through we didn’t want to risk anything.
Because of Little Em’s autism we meet so many other parents in the same situation, with the same pit in their stomach when it comes time for booster shots, but to my surprise they don’t know of the titer. Why isn’t this common knowledge? With all the concern over vaccines how come school authorities and doctors don’t advertize this choice? Sadly I think it’s part economics, and part that the public is used to lining up like lemmings when it comes to doctor’s orders (imagine how much less money the Pharma companies would make if 95% of the population didn’t get their booster shots because they didn’t need it.)
The titer test is available for the following vaccines:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, Tetanus
- H. Influenza (HiB)
- Hepatitis A
- Chicken Pox, (Varicella – zoster)
- Influenza A and B
- Polio
- Pneumococcal vaccines
So if you’re up at night worried about an upcoming vaccine shot for your child, research your state laws and see if a titer test is available. And spread the word. With autism now affecting 1 in 100 children, (1 in 66 if it’s a boy) everyone now knows someone who affected by this condition. Who knows, at the very least you may help save another parent from that awful pit in their stomach.
January 24, 2010
Staying Healthy During the Pregnancy Yields Benefits
Staying Healthy during Pregnancy yields Benefits afterwards: written by Niva Herzig, PT
Staying healthy while you are pregnant is not only beneficial to your baby, but to you too. This holds true whether it’s your first child or your tenth. What does staying healthy mean? A combination of proper diet, exercise and sleep.
Just because you are pregnant, doesn’t mean you need to double your caloric intake. In fact, caloric increase only needs to occur during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and by 300 calories. Take in fluids regularly in order to maintain hydration, especially when pregnant during warmer months and during exercise. Continue eating meals consisting of all food groups and keep sugars at a minimum. Include in your diet fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein. Remember to eat foods rich in Calcium, Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin C. Be aware of foods that may harm your baby such as unpasteurized cheeses or raw fish and meats. Make sure all meats are cooked and are not eaten raw to avoid exposure to harmful bacteria. Additionally, minimize the intake of caffeine. Once your baby is born, remember to continue eating a well balanced diet and increase fluids especially if breast feeding. For more specific issues and concerns speak with your physician or consult with a nutritionist.
Staying active is very beneficial to you and your baby. Read more
January 16, 2010
Things to do Before Your BABY Arrives
Select a Pediatrician
Choosing the right pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you make prior to your baby’s birth. Getting personal referrals from friends and family is one of the best ways to narrow down your options before you start searching for further information. Consider both the logistical and philosophical aspects of the practice and pediatrician. Make sure all of the doctors you’re considering are taking on new patients and will accept your health insurance. Take time to speak or meet with prospective doctors.
January 8, 2010
What is Viacord? What Stem Cells?
Most expectant parents & grandparents are not aware that they can save their baby’s cord blood, and these precious life saving cells are simply thrown away at birth
. Read more
January 5, 2010
Tanisha Day
Interview with Tanisha Day on going back to the workforce.
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Factors to consider before going back.
November 21, 2009
Abdominal Muscle Separation; What you need to know
Pregnancy brings on many changes to your body. When I treat women during or after pregnancy, many ask me about their abdominal muscles. When assessing the abdomen postpartum, I always check for the possibility of a separation between the right and left most prominent abdominal muscles, the Rectus Abdominus muscles which run vertically along the abdomen. Most of you know these muscles as the “six pack” muscles. 
Read more
November 6, 2009
November 14th is FREE Babyfest for all new & expectant moms
Hi Moms-
November 14th is FREE Babyfest for all new & expectant moms @
Wyckoff YMCA (Wyckoff, NJ) 201-891-2081
They’ll be prenatal yoga, prenatal bellydancing, postnatal bellydancing, and stroller fit classes. They’ll be chair massages, food demonstrations, lots of raffles and more.
Also, Stroller Strides of Nothern NJ will hold it’s “Grand Opening” at Westfield Garden State Plaza on Friday, November 13th at 8 am followed by a Welcome Party for Santa Claus. All moms who RSVP will receive the chance to jump the line and be the FIRST to welcome Santa and receive a FREE photo with St. Nick! Go to http://www.facebook.com/l/a32ad;www.strollerstrides.net/bergen to RSVP.
Hope to see you there.
-Keri
September 2, 2009
Sign Language for Babies – Susan Lima
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Susan talks about the benefits of sign language for babies at a pre verbal age. Benefits include both the parent and the infants!
August 19, 2009
NYTimes, Sunday the 15th of August – Your Baby is Smarter Than You Think
Your Baby Is Smarter Than You Think
By Alison Gopnik
Published: August 15, 2009, NY Times, Week in Review Section
Berkeley, Calif.
Generations of psychologists and philosophers have believed that babies and young children were basically defective adults — irrational, egocentric and unable to think logically. The philosopher John Locke saw a baby’s mind as a blank slate, and the psychologist William James thought they lived in a “blooming, buzzing confusion.” Even today, a cursory look at babies and young children leads many to conclude that there is not much going on.
New studies, however, demonstrate that babies and very young children know, observe, explore, imagine and learn more than we would ever have thought possible. In some ways, they are smarter than adults.
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