Sleep Rituals

Are you like many who are always on the go that your brain won't allow you to shut down even when it's time?

For years I have suffered from insomnia. It all started when I was pregnant with my daughter. Naturally the anxiety over becoming a parent followed by the sleepless nights of a newborn. Thank goodness Amanda slept through the night after 6 weeks. Go ahead be jealous! But of course life in general whether it's work or personal reasons we often just let another night pass with little to no sleep. Plus might I add it runs in my fathers side of the family. Dad swears we are vampires!

Anyway, a few months ago I was skulking with my Aussie friend when she shared some remarkable information with me. When our bodies sleep we naturally detoxify. I was like whoa! Wait a minute! Here I am on this constant merry go round trying to balance my body when I have an easy solution!

I decided to try a new routine that seems to be working. As I shared earlier this week I have enrolled with IIN. I have found best to do my studies in the evening. I put the kids to bed at 7pm and I head straight to the couch and unravel my iPad, glass of water and notebook. I do anywhere from 2-4 hours of work. After that I put in my favorite incense nag champa and play Snatam Kaur, Tina Malia or Deva Premal to name a few. Before I know it I am struggling to finish my blog post.

Of course there will be nights nothing works but from where I was months ago I have made a huge accomplishment. I urge you to find what works for you. Sleep is just as important as air and not only do you let your body rest and replenish energy but detoxify as well.

Good night all my Juicy followers!

Peace & Health
J-

Back To School Picks

Are any of you out there all set or gearing up for back to school?  It’s such a commotion every year.  I try my best to have everything all set before August when all the madness begins.  Luckily, Amanda’s school gives out the supply list with the year-end report card.  But supplies, ha!  That’s just half of it right?  I mean for those that go to public school you all have the headaches of back to school clothes shopping and the anticipation of the first outfit your kids will wear.  But it doesn’t just stop there, there is also backpack and lunch bags, lunch gear, school activity supplies and the list goes on and on!!!

I decided to make my favorite must haves and share them with you all.  These are products that we use and own or have done tons of research on and are as we speak ordered and on their way.

1.  Back packs & Lunch bags:  I have 2 for this list.  Some items are difficult for me to choose.  Since my daughter goes to private school and everything is the same I kind of give her card blanch on items such as backpack, shoes, etc.  In my opinion they need individuality.  Plus she’s at an age where she is past the hype over character backpack (sigh).

My pick is by Dabbawalla.  Dabbawalla are PVC, BPA, Lead, Phthalate free backpacks & Lunch Bags.  The designs are simple yet very cute and aimed more for the preschool and early elementary years.  What made me fall in love even more was that their bags are created by sewers who earn fair wages in a safe working environment.  Dabbawalla will also donate their products to schools and organizations that are in need.

Amanda’s pick is by Pottery Barn Kids.  Pottery Barn Kids backpack & Lunch bags are PVC, BPA, Lead, and Phthalate free backpack.  The patterns are endless and start off with a size perfect for your preschooler up until college.  They even carry matching duffle bags, luggage, etc if you’re into the matchy-match look (which I LOVE!)  Also, if you are lucky there is a Pottery Barn Outlet close to you.  I just happened to go and check out what they had and I scored!  Most of the patterns were from last year BUT they did have some from 2012.  Best part 2012 was reduced and 2012 was reduced and an additional discount!    Amanda chose polka dots and Charlie Batman (typical boy!)

2. Lunch & snack time:  In the category I also have 2 picks.  I fell in love with Life Factory bottles a while back.  Not only do they make glass water bottles but they also make baby glass bottles and toddler transition cups.  The bottle is BPA, phthalates, PVC, polycarbonate, latex and lead free. Bottles are hugged with a silicone sleeve that come in an array of colors and there are also spouts you can purchase if you like to switch it up between a open bottle top and a Sports top (great for working out!)  Check out www.LifeFactory.com to ordering and other details.

Many schools, my kids included prohibit glass even though these are practically indestructible.  In that case I love Klean Kanteen.

Kleen Kanteen is BPA free and 18/8 stainless steel (safest).  They too come in an array of colors and have optional sports top or open bottle mouth.  They come in various sizes and can be found at www.KleankKanteen.com Whole Foods and even Pottery Barn!  Pottery barn has several really cool patterns and even licensed characters such as the really IT Batman and Superman.

3. Food Storage:  Aside from plastic zip bags being environmentally irresponsible of us think of all the wasteful money you spend throughout your child’s life.  My kids started school at 2 years old and I’m hoping they take a home lunch up until high school (18 years old).  That will be 16 years of zip bags, aluminum foil and plastic wrap.  That can be avoided.  Yes of course I do have those items in my pantry but I use a lot less than the average person.

Lunch Bots is also BPA free and 18/8 stainless steel food system that has from circular to square and even rectangular food storage perfect for on the go kids and parents.  Lunch Bots have different sizes for all different food portions.  My favorite part is that they have a bento box style that makes lunch limitless.  You can have a piece of sandwich with some crackers and a side of fruit all in one container.  Plus they are fun to look at in the variety of colors.  Lunch Bots can be found at www.LunchBots.com and Whole Foods.

I love when I find a product that has a story.  Especially when it is determined entrepreneurs that are moms who won’t give up on using sustainable items for their children.  Three Little Birds Design Company is a shop I found via Etsy (here is their link) http://www.etsy.com/shop/3LBDC?ref=pr_shop_more

All of Three Little Birds products are produced using GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, grown and manufactured in the United States.  All products are U.S. produced and hand dyed with low impact dyes. Products included totes, linens, lunch and snack bags.  Sometimes you don’t need an entire container and you just want to throw in some carrots sticks or a single sandwich.  These little bags are perfect for them.  Plus they are reusable and washable! 

If you order three little Birds will give you a 10% discount for back to school.  I took advantage of the offer and ordered for each of the kids 2 napkins, a sandwich bag and snack bag.  One is yellow for Charlie to match his Batman theme and one is mint green for Amanda’s polka dot theme.

4.  Utensils:  not al lunches are finger foods.  And after learning my lesson last year and starting off with a 12 person flatware set and ending with 6 by the end of the school year I’m done with sending my kids (and Hubby!) with the “good stuff”.  Of course I have the option of disposable plastic utensils.  But have you ever cut your food or bitten into your fork and all of a sudden you have a piece of sharp plastic in your mouth?  Well I have.  Not fun!  At best your kids will just spit it out but of course I’m crazy and worry about the worst-case scenario.  Because that is what would happen with my kids.

Well let me paint you a picture of what could happen. Your kid can choke and swallow on a sharp piece of plastic OR can cut himself / herself or a classmate for that matter.  Have I scared you enough?

Now with all the stainless steel I’m promoting I’m not too keen on using stainless steel utensils because it scratches the interior of your container.  Instead a good alternative is bamboo utensils.  I absolutely ADORE RePeat.  RePeat come as a set that includes a fork, spoon, knife and even CHOPSTICKS!  How cool is that?  The set comes in a colored carrier of your choice.  RePeat is heat and stain resistant, won’t absorb flavors, lightweight, long lasting and vegan.  Order your set of RePeat at www.Amazon.com Just make sure that after typing RePeat you include utensils in your search.

I hope I saved you all some hectic last minute shopping as well as money in the long run.  And just remember not only the kids can have a fun lunch.  All of these items come in a varitety of sizes and us adults should have fun traveling with our lunch.

It’s Never Too Late...

I was raised on the phrase, “It’s never too late.”  Well boy is that true.  I’ve always had a passion to help others out.  And now I can officially say that I am proud and excited to announce that I have enrolled at The Institute For Integrated Nutrition.  For the next year I will be learning first hand from nutrition experts such as David Wolfe, Deepak Chopra M.D., Andrew Weil M.D., and David Katz M.D., just to name a few.

I can not wait to start on this new adventure and for the day to come where my knowledge can help others.  I know that this will not only be a learning experience but a grown experience for me as well.

I feel so blessed and thankful to have parents to believe in me and always push for me to following my dreams.  I am also fortunate to have had Mia Santos and Yvette Luciano be put in my path the past couple of months.  The two of them have really changed my life in a way that will never be able to be put into words.  Thank you to you all and I promise to make you proud!  XO

How To Make Eating Organic Affordable

If you have read some of my posts I would consider myself to always have had a healthy diet with your occasional splurges here and there. When it came to my kids though I have been more strict and preventing them to go on the SAD diet (Standard American Diet). Of course I don't deprive them of treats after all, they are children. But 90% of the time the kids snacks consist of fruits and veggies. Often parents ask me how come the kids will ask for an apple or red pepper with humus. Well, it's simple! It's a norm at our home. And the best part is that the kids truly enjoy fresh fruits and veggies.

The second question or shall I say statement that gets brought to my attention is the cost. Yes, it is for sure more expensive to eat organic. There are many ways to go about cutting the cost of organic produce.

1. You can grow your own (yes, I know not everyone has time. I'm fortunate that my wonderful husband always makes time to keep up with our garden.)
2. Join a CSA program
3. Visit your local farms
4. Shop at wholesale clubs such as Sam's, Costco, BJ's, etc. You'd be surprised how many organic products the are carrying
5. Buy produce that is on sale and freeze it.

You'll see how the pennies start adding up. And if all else fails think of the countless co-payments you will save on doctors and medication. ie: winter 2011 was when Charlie's asthma came with a vengeance. That winter alone my husband and I spent close to 1500 between hospital bills, Drs. visits and medication. Plus the torture Charlie went through.

So for us it only makes sense. And for the skeptics that don't believe food came help you heal your body well then how come food can destroy your body?

And yes, I know switching over will not be an overnight change. Start with your one staple item in your family's diet. Once you have added that each week add another. Before you know it you'll be a full blown organic eating family!

At Your Age We Need To Discuss...

I’m very diligent when it comes to my check ups.  Truth be told I get anxious and don’t love the days leading up to my appointments but as a mom of 2 I wouldn’t do otherwise.

A couple of months ago I had my gyn appointment.  As much as I REALLY dread this appointment for more than one reason I LOVE my doctors.  The practice is small and consists of a Father-Daughter board certified OB/GYN’s and the nurse is the mom!  How cute is that?  They have both delivered my kids and I trust them 100%.

In this particular appointment we were discussing typical “girl issues”.  When she was going over my chart I guess my doctor noticed my date of birth and said, “At your age we need to discuss osteoporosis prevention.”  I was like whoa!  When did I turn 80?  But I guess at the ripe age of 28 that makes sense for prevention.

It’s funny because my mom is such a health nut and when I came home to tell her what I thought was a funny story she backlashed and said, “How many times have I told you to take your vitamins!”  I guess we go back to the saying, “Mom’s always right!”

As healthy as I TRY to be there is something about taking vitamins, supplements and even medication that has always been challenging for me.  (I’m one of those that never finishes anti-biotics.)  Well I decided then that June 1st would be the start of a new Jackie.  Since then I am happy to report there have only been about a handful of times that I’ve skipped my supplements.  I’m currently taking 20 billion CFU’s of probiotics (working on probiotic post.  All I can say is LIFE changing!), 1,000 I.U of vitamin D3 and 1,000 I.u of Calcium.  I know there are a lot more supplements that I should be taking but I just wanted to get into the swing of popping these capsules of goodness.

Of course I would highly recommend speaking with your doctor or nutritionist but keep in mind there are a few M.D.’s that are not pro vitamins or supplements so as usual I would say to do your own research and figure out what best suits your lifestyle.  I am fortunate that even though one doctor is an M.D. and one is a D.O. both have open minds.

Hopefully this post motivates you to take your supplements as well as listen to your mother.  :)

Peace & Health
J-


*Please do your research when taking supplements.  If you decide to take vitamin D there are a few options.  Check the back to see if they are vegan.  Typically Vitamin D3 is not vegan but you can find vegan alternatives.

Summer Time Protection

A while back I was chatting with some local online moms on what we all needed to prepare for the spring and summer. Of course with the kids being out of school and the beautiful spring and summer days the topic of sunblock and how to steer clear of mosquito bites was a huge topic of conversation.  Last year though I did protect my kiddies from the sun and mosquitos I was not on a huge “natural” bandwagon.  To me it was all about the SPF 90-100.  Yes, I know it is silly and after 30-45 it’s not much protection but it made me feel better that I was protecting my kids as much as I could.  Right?  Wrong!

On that same evening many of the moms told me about www.EWG.ORG.  you probably already heard of it but if you haven’t I urge you to take a moment and go on their site.  They have a plethora of information and most likely the largest data base that will give you all the information you need.  

Environmental Working Group

Between EWG and the moms I came across Purple Prairie Botanicals (an organic, cruelty-free & made in the USA skin care.)  I checked their website www.purpleprairie.com and fell immediately in love!  It is such an inviting and non-intimidating website.  You can easily find whatever item you are looking for.  The range of items they carry start from as basic as hand sanitizers to luxurious essential oils.  Plus the best part is when you click on an item of interest it gives you a full description along with ingredients AND EWG’s score!!!  You no longer have to cross reference between the website and EWG.  It doesn’t get easier than that!!! And of course though it is a given in my home Purple Prairie does not contain petroleum, parabens, synthetic dyes, artificial preservatives, animal ingredients, detergents, sulfates or GMOs.

        $7.99 EWG Score 0                                                                                  $19.99 EWG Score 1

My family and I have been using the Sun Stuff for a couple of months already I can honestly say I am hooked and need to look no further.  It is scent free, not greasy nor sticky and though it is white during application, the cast does disappear.  It holds up well with humidity and water.  Which means I no longer have to purchase a separate sun screen if the kids are running through the sprinklers.  The true test was when we were in sunny California.  During our vacation we went to Disneyland,  did some hiking and LOTS of walking in San Francisco.  All I can say is that Purple Prairie Botanicals passed with flying colors in my book.

As for the Bug Spray I had not had the chance to put it to work until the past 2 weeks.  California is lucky enough to have warm dry weather and typically pesky mosquitos love a warm moist environment.  The past week it has not only been hot in New York but the humidity has been quite high.  Usually by this time mosquitos have had a field day all over me.  Not this year!  I am proud to say I have 1 mosquito bite on my knee.  Plus the kids are also bite free!

What I really love about the Bug Spray is that it is “Deet Free” and smells of Eucalyptus, lemongrass, tea tree, lavender and peppermint (all natural bug repellents.)  And though my primary concern is for mosquitos it also is a repellent against biting flies and gnats.  Plus it doubles up as an anti itch against bites, poison ivy, chicken pox and all itches.

I can safely say for the summer of 2012 my family and I are not only protected against the sun but as well as bugs.  Having fun outdoor will no longer be limited.

Charlie & The Green Juice Factory

I’ve been holding off writing this specific post.  You know when things are going so well you’re kind of even scared to think they might go back or even possibly get worse.  Well that’s how I feel all the time.  I now breath a little more easily but the thoughts still cross my mind.  What am I babbling you might be asking well here we go...

It all started December of 2010.  Charlie was just shy of turning 1.  I was so excited between the holidays, family coming to visit and of course the BIG 1!  I remember Charlie starting to try to walk.  This particular evening he was moving along our living room.  My father was there and I said, “Do you hear Charlie panting?”  Dad didn’t seem too worried but of course the nervous mom that I have always been got a little worried.  I remember even saying that it was a good thing he had a cardiologist appointment coming .  (Doctors thought Charlie might have a bit of a heart hiccup as I call it.  Turns out it was nothing but had to be monitored the first year.  We even cut a cake to celebrate his last Cardiologist appointment.)

Back to the story (this is kind of a long one.) So we went to the yearly appointment and as I mentioned just before he was discharged indefinitely since Charlie was as healthy as any normal little boy.  A week later Charlie was diagnosed with pneumonia and an ear infection.  Right away like any good mother I bashed myself.  How could this be?  What did I do? What didn’t I do?  Of course I even was unfair to compare him to my daughter.  I asked how come she never got sick yet he kept going through these hurdles.  Granted then and now I realize it wasn’t that bad and there are and were kids who are severely ill but no mom wants their child sick whether it is as silly as a runny nose or not.

We left the doctor’s office with a nebulizer, medicine for the nebulizer AND steroids!  Ugh just me remembering that I put him on steroids makes me so mad!  Thankfully that helped out and let us get through the month of January.

February came and by the second week Charlie was crawling around happy go lucky but would have to stop and catch his breath plus he was noticeably pale.  The wheezing started and the tugging of the ear.  I called the doctor right away and told me to start the nebulizer.  The doctor asked me to call him in an hour and let him know how Charlie was doing.  I called the doctor back this time with tears in my eyes telling him there was no change.  With that off I went to the office to have Charlie examined.  Unfortunately they could not stabilize him and had me go straight to the hospital.

Thank goodness the hospital is 1 block away from the office and they were already expecting us.  We went straight in.  The ER pediatrician examined Charlie and found that his oxygen level was at 84%.  Well that doesn’t sound so bad right?  WRONG!!!  Anything less than 92% the cells and your body is considered to be starving of oxygen.  Of course at the time I had no idea but I soon came to realize this was not good.  The doctor was going to admit Charlie and there were talks about him going to the PICU floor.

At Hospital

Once admitted Charlie had to have an IV put in him.  Just remembering now tears are streaming down my face because my little 13 month old fought so hard to prevent the nurses from poking him.  He even pulled the IV 2x.  IT was definitely as a mother one of the worst 48 hours I’ve had to experience.  He was able to go home the next day with yet again more steroids and nebulizer treatments every 3 hours.

That weekend was filled with me watching his every moment while looking up natural and holistic remedies as well as trying to make sense of all this nonsense.  I remember checking into air filters, changing his diet and even getting rid of our poor Cavalier King Charles dog.  She was even taken in by my sister for a week to try to rule our potential external allergies.

Nebulizer at home.

We survived the weekend and quite successfully.  By Saturday Charlie was playing and back to his normal self.  Aside from being a little pale you wouldn’t have known what he had been through.  On Monday we went in for a followup and our wonderful pediatrician referred us to a well known pediatric Pulmonologist.

I went to see the Pulmonologist.  It was not the best experience.  I didn’t have that connection and I wanted answers and a resolution.  Looking back it wasn’t so much the doctor and me being rightfully so freaking out!  I know conventional M.D.’s don’t like to be questioned let alone mention a holistic approach.  Regardless, I asked about changing his diet by eliminating or even adding specific foods or supplements.  He right away said no and that I hadn’t caused this.  The doctor’s suggestion was to put Charlie on a daily inhaler to prevent asthma attacks. And keeping a script of steroids and nebulizer on hand “just in case”.

At pulmonologist.

I went home and looked up all the side effect of all three medications.  I was so upset.  What to do?  Worry about the side effects ie: worsening of eczema, insomnia, Cushings disease, etc or take the risk of Charlie’s attacks getting worse?  At that moment I had to go with the drugs.  I am NOT anti medical drugs.  I do believe there are time we all need them but lets be honest, no one wants to take drugs themselves, let alone give to their children.

It slowly became a new norm for us.  Every morning Charlie would get 2 puffs and then 2 puffs at night.  Days and weeks passed and seemed as though things were looking up.  We had a couple of times where the wheezing came back but there was no need to have Charlie take any of the steroids.  I did on occasion have to pull out the nebulizer but it never got the the point where an ER visit came into play.  Phew we can get through this right?  NOPE!!!

June was a particularly humid month in 2011.  We went to a neighbor’s party and there were a lot of kids.  Charlie was so happy playing and running around.  He was playing so much I had to leave to go home because the panting and wheezing started.  I gave him a treatment and put him to bed.  The next day Charlie was better but not 100%.  I took him the to doctor just to be on the safe side especially since we were due to travel outside of the U.S. that same week.  The doctor gave us the green light to go ahead with our vacation and gave us medication to have on hand.

A couple of days passed by and we went on vacation.  We were settling in and on day 2 we were driving from the city of Guatemala to Antigua when I noticed Charlie was very pale and wheezing again.  We wound up in the hospital.  Even though I was extremely nervous I have to compliment the hospital, doctors and staff.  The wait was hardly 15 minutes (absolutely unheard of in the U.S.) and once we were in the room the nurses and doctors tended to Charlie immediately.  Charlie’s oxygen level had dropped again and there was an air pocket in his diaphragm.  the doctor believed that his pre-asthma attack was set off by the change in altitude.  He prescribed me some medication and suggested to start him on steroid I had on hand as well as nebulizer treatments.

My family suggested for me to return back to the states.  even though I was there for my parent’s 30th year vow renewal ceremony.  I wanted to be there with all my heart I was starting to get nervous that the travel was too much for Charlie.  My husband was supposed to meet me the following day and I decided to wait it out.  Thankfully, Charlie responded really well to the medication as was like new the next day and for the rest of our vacation.

When we got back I had absolutely had it with Charlie not feeling well, all the medication and the endless worrying.  It seemed as though every attack only got worse.  As much as I hated giving my 1.5 year old medication on a daily basis I knew it was the only thing that would keep him stabilized.  Or was it?

I started yet again researching and looking to see if there was anything I can do to make him better.  I came across several findings that juicing helped.  My family always juiced but not on a regular basis.  It would be here and there and mostly in the summers when it was easier or on days off when I had “time”.

I believe by August I was making everyone in my house have 8-12 ounces of green juice a day.  Of course I kept him on his medication.  By November Charlie had his pulmonologist checkup.  Thankfully, he hadn’t had any attacks since July.  The doctor suggested keeping him on the medication and following up in April.

Having some green juice for breakfast.

We were lucky to have a relatively mild winter.  By April Charlie was completely taken off of all his medication.  It has been a year since his last attack.  He no longer wheezes after exerting himself and is healthier than ever.  It is common to have children outgrow their asthma and perhaps that is what happened.  I do strongly believe though since we always had a healthy diet at home and hardly ate any processed foods the only variable in our lives has been adding green juice on a daily basis.  Of course it is not the cure to all but we all know the significant benefits of juicing and having a high alkaline and organic life free of processed foods.

My children have been lucky to have been exposed to healthy foods from the very beginning.  but if you would like to start no matter what age it is never too late.  Small changes and steps towards a healthier lifestyle will make huge and life changing results.  Charlie asks for his juice and even when I’m not making juice if he sees the Vitamix he asks me for some green juice.

Happy & Healthy!!!

Instead of “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory”, I have Charlie and the Green Juice Factory.  It is work but it is work that is necessary and instead of making juice when I have time I make it a priority to make the time.  I am human and not the perfect mother.  there are days here and there that I do miss but believe me the following day the juice intake is doubled.