Great Expectations

Another new year is upon us and I, like everyone else, can't help but set some personal goals for 2011. I don't think I've ever actually written down resolutions but I figured perhaps if I put them out there for all to see, maybe I'd actually follow through on a few of them. None are earth-shattering -- I have no desire to bike across America, learn to speak Mandarin or compete on "Top Chef." Feel free to borrow any of my admittedly modest goals, or add your own. Perhaps I will revisit this next December 31st to see which ones I actually made good on!

-- I'd like make a concerted effort to cut down on the whining and yelling in my household (from both parents AND kids).

-- I need to focus on my own health and well-being as much as I focus on that of my kids.

-- I'd like to actually do something with the book proposal that has been sitting on my computer for almost a year now.

-- I need to clean out my closet/garage/basement (in no particular order).

-- I'd like to figure out a way to cut down on the constant clutter that seems to litter our house.

-- I need to resist buying my daughter more clothing just because she says she'll wear it and I think it's cute, when in reality, it will sit in her closet or she'll complain it itches after we cut the tags off.

-- I need to treat this blog more seriously and endeavor to write more frequently and learn how to maximize its potential.

-- I'd like to find out a way for my husband and me to have a day or two away from our kids so we can reconnect as a couple.

-- I'd also like to reconnect with some select old friends with whom I've lost touch (and I don't mean through Facebook)

-- I'd like to take a "girlfriends" trip.

-- And no matter which of these resolutions are realized and which fall by the wayside, I need to practice being "in the moment" and appreciating each day rather than just looking ahead to the gazillion other responsibilities, priorities and overall activities still to come (now, bow your head and chant "Namaste").

As you can see, everything listed above begins with "I" so it's pretty obvious who needs to take responsibility to make these things reality. Wish me luck....and Happy New Year!

Portrait of a Lady

Just wanted to acknowledge the passing of a woman who seemed to be such a devoted wife and mother -- Elizabeth Edwards. She died of cancer today at age 61, surrounded by her family (including estranged husband, John).

She endured more than her fair share of suffering in her final years -- the death of a teenage son, an ongoing battle with cancer, her husband's infidelity and subsequent child-out-of-wedlock -- but she seemed to weather these storms with grace and poise and I admired her for that.

While I never knew her personally, as a mother, I mourn her loss and am especially saddened that her youngest two children (ages 10 and 12) had such little time with their mom. I can only hope their father steps up to the plate to fill the parental void and keep her memory alive within their family.

Rest in peace Elizabeth.

Spend less green for a green clean

Flu Shot?                          Check

Tea and honey supply?        Check

Humidifier and new filters?  Check

A dozen boxes of tissues?    Check

Our house is pretty much fortified for cold and flu season, but today I found out about a fabulous deal that will help us keep the germs at bay AND save some money while we're at it.

If you know me, you know I'm a huge fan of Cleanwell products (alas, I am not a paid spokesperson). Their products are totally chemical-free, non-irritating wipes, sprays and soaps that kill germs using an all-natural blend of thyme. I was first introduced to them through my work as a host mom for Baby Loves Disco when Cleanwell came on board as a sponsor. Since then, I've fallen in love with their fantastic array of cleaning products that aren't as harsh on my poor winter skin AND they do the job without that cough-inducing, lung-damaging, doctors-office antiseptic after-smell.


So, for all you like-minded, germ-conscious, green people out there, consider this my holiday gift to you: Through the remainder of the year, you can save 25% on all Cleanwell items available online through this link, using the code "healthychild" at checkout.

http://shop.cleanwelltoday.com

Yes, you'll pay shipping, but it's minimal and it's more than recouped by the discounted savings. Plus, many of these products are not readily available in stores. 

Happy Holidays! And happy cleaning!

Northern Exposure

Our Thanksgiving plans ran into a roadblock, in the form of a double ear infection for my two-year-old son. So, rather than listen to my pediatrician who says we're perfectly safe to fly, I chose to listen to the ENT who says we should absolutely NOT fly since it could cause his ear drum to rupture.

Don't you love having conflicting advice from two trusted sources? It's not as if I just looked up the topic online and formed my own opinion. These completely opposing views came straight from the mouths of medical professionals! In this instance, we're erring on the side of caution and staying home for the holidays. The whole situation is very frustrating, not only because it threw our plans out the window (costing us several hundred dollars in the process), but also because this is the 10th ear infection my son has suffered this calendar year, despite the fact that I have begged to be referred to the ENT for tube surgery. My poor little guy has been on enough antibiotics to keep a small country disease-free for quite some time.  Each ear infection requires several rounds of medication and by the time they get it right and knock it out, we usually have about a week before the next one hits.

On the bright side, we won't have the pleasure of any long waits at airport security or potentially hazardous radiation exposure in one of the new scanners. I'm not sure how I feel about the scanners -- though I do understand that some appear safer than others. Perhaps the discomfort and time involved in a "pat down" is a decent alternative to a possible health risk? Luckily, the controversial backscatter scanners that seem to carry a higher risk of exposure, are not the type currently being used in Atlanta (though they are in place in several other cities we routinely visit).

What most travelers may not realize is that they are exposed to significantly higher levels of radiation during air travel in general. Since radiation originates from the sun, anytime we are higher in altitude, our level of exposure goes up. According to the experts, the amount of radiation we are exposed to through airport scanners is the same amount we are exposed to in flight for two minutes at 30,000 feet. The jury is still out on exactly how much a frequent flyer (or airline employee) is exposed to on a regular basis, but adding other exposure risks, like scanners, is certainly not  a good thing (medically speaking). Sure, I want our country to be safe from terrorists, but not at the expense of hundreds of lives lost to future cancers that might never have occurred had people not been exposed to more radiation than necessary.

Technically speaking, there are all sorts of everyday items that expose us to radiation, not least of which -- our cell phones -- are in near constant use. I recently received an email from an old friend who now lives in Israel, a country often on the cutting edge of medicine. He tells me that the governing body there is considering instituting cell-free zones near schools in an effort to curb student's exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Not such a bad idea?

Speaking of which, beware of those charging pads often being touted as easy ways in which to charge all your electronic devices without cords. I was just told that the plates that work to charge multiple devices at once actually spew a "cloud" of electromagnetism that can easily expose those around it to controversial levels of radiation. And amazingly, when I was recently in my doctor's office getting a chest x-ray, I asked about the levels I was being exposed to and was told by the technician that people who live near Stone Mountain, Georgia (a town known for it's large, granite "mountain") are routinely exposed to more radiation on a daily basis due to their proximity to the granite -- a naturally radioactive material. In fact, he says that many of us are unknowingly exposed daily through our granite countertops. While a quick google search does find that these home upgrades do contribute to some level of exposure, just how much harm they emit is up for debate.

Kinda gives new meaning to the idea that the kitchen is often the most dangerous room in the house.

No more wait for Kate

Call me sappy, but my heart was aflutter this morning when I read about Prince William's engagement to his longtime lady love, Kate Middleton. I've never considered myself a "royal watcher," although I do remember staring in awe as Diana married Charles. I was at Camp Blue Star in the summer of 1981 and the counselors actually gathered all of us in a large cabin normally used for play rehearsal and wheeled in a television so we could watch the event live.

But as with most real-life fairytales, this one would not go the distance. I still recall the heartache of Diana's interviews regarding her decaying marriage and the heartbreaking accounts of her philandering boyfriends and untimely death. It's hard for me to believe she was actually younger than I am now when she was killed.

But despite the inevitable comparisons to his mum, I think Kate is quite a catch. From all accounts, she appears to be independent and smart and certainly will make a fine addition to the royal family's Christmas Card. As an American, I'm just a tad fascinated by the British Monarchy. I hear stores are already stocking Kate and William memorabilia to commemorate the young couple soon to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But I also love that the two of them originally met as roommates in college and now are still regularly photographed shopping in their local grocery store. Their lives may be as far from mine as you can get, but snippets of them are just a wee bit relatable.

As a mother, it's bittersweet thinking that his own mom won't be around to watch her first born walk down the aisle. I love that he proposed with his mother's ring and I am sure this elaborate celebration will draw all sorts of comparisons to the ones his parents took part in 30 years ago. Let's just hope this royal marriage has a happier ending.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

The latest W magazine has an interesting photo spread about family and what that means to various celebrities. I was oddly fascinated by one in particular -- former porn star, Jenna Jameson. She says that since she became a mom to twin boys nearly two years ago, she not only chose to give up her profession in the skin flick biz, she has gone so far as to have her breast implants removed and has relocated to the burbs with her family in an effort to "blend in" and focus on being a mom. The woman who sold her sex empire to Playboy for an estimated $30 mil says she won't even pose, scantily clad, for a mainstream magazine nowadays. And she hopes that someday, her sons will know that she gave up the sex industry to focus on motherhood.

Many of my friends look alike in our standard mom uniforms (unwashed hair up in a ponytail, sweats and a large bag that contains diapers, sippies, miniature clothing for various seasons and the occasional raisin or goldfish cracker crumbs). And while I'm sure Ms. Jameson has toned it down now, I just can't imagine that she blends in as much as she thinks she does. But, I do give her credit for trying.

While my high school shenanigans and collegiate mishaps do exist, evidence of them thankfully remains only in old photo albums and in the memories of those who took part in them. Behavior that may seem cool and amusing today but could be downright embarrassing in the future, is now displayed proudly for all to see. Seemingly no thought is given to the fact that this information has a never expiring shelf-life in the age of Facebook, YouTube and various reality TV programs. Are we so desperate for fame (or infamy) that we will literally do anything for a temporary laugh or acknowledgement, regardless of the ramifications. Has privacy fallen so out of favor that we are more concerned with being known for something -- anything -- no matter who sees it -- even our own families?

It never ceases to amaze me when moms (or dads, for that matter), famous or not, choose to divulge past indiscretions, sexual encounters or drunken escapades, in a public forum, purely for entertainment's sake. Are they unaware or ambivalent about the fact that their children may unintentionally become privy to these intimate details of their parent's lives? Perhaps it's a matter of feeling we're past our prime that drives some of us to revisit sordid chapters of our ancient history and put it out there for public consumption. I'm not saying our kids should grow up thinking their parents are saints, but honestly, there are certain things that our kids are better off not knowing because knowing them serves absolutely no purpose and might cause extreme embarrassment and pain.

Perhaps Jenna Jameson should have thought about her chosen profession and the effect it could have on future offspring when she was filming explicit sex acts years ago, but at least she thought of it eventually and decided it was best to put it behind her. No doubt, her kids will someday discover what their mother did for a living and I'm sure they will endure more than their fair share of teasing at school, but Ms. Jameson did take parenting seriously enough to put an end to the behavior unbecoming of a mom.

My by-line is attached to many articles that have found second lives online and continue to pop up now and again. But I can honestly say that I don't feel I've written anything that will come back to haunt me. I'm one of the few Facebook holdouts simply because the privacy issues are too much for me at the moment. Those who know me well, and have for many years, may have some dirt, and I'll admit, there are some juicy stories from my past. But I'm happy for them to be known only by the people who took part in them and not by society at large. I'm just old-fashioned that way, I guess.

In my humble opinion...

When I turned 18, I remember rushing to apply for my absentee ballot so I'd be able to vote in the upcoming election that November. Back then, I viewed the political process as a privilege. Sad to say, nowadays, I'm often more concerned with the hierarchy in my own household than that of City Hall. And while I do care about some elections, for others, voting feels more like an obligation than an honor to take part in.

Either way, I always vote. You see, as you might have guessed by now, I usually have an opinion about most things. Election day gives me an excuse to use that personality trait for good. Plus, I'm a firm believer that you have no right to bicker about those running the country if you don't at least voice your opinion about who you think ought to be doing it.

Today, between two different carpools, several volunteer projects and physical therapy exercises, I squeezed in time to vote, even though as of last night, I had no idea who many of the candidates in my district were or what they stood for. I'm not proud of this. I went to college in Washington, DC, interned on Capitol Hill, worked at CNN and used to pride myself on the fact that I knew every detail of most politicians -- certainly those for whom I could cast a vote.

But times have changed and while I still make it a point to read the paper and browse a few major news websites each day, I don't always have time to conduct an depth review of the political news of the day. And frankly, dirty campaigning and annoying recorded phone calls have really turned me off from the whole political process.

So, last night, I went on the website of our local paper here in Atlanta, and painstakingly read bio after bio on all the candidates that pertained to me this election day. I compared their stances, experience and the overarching themes of their campaign so I would be able to make an informed decision today. I can't say my research was riveting or analytically complex, but it works for me.

So, while I realize that we're all busy, and I'd much rather be out doing something fun like shopping for shoes in my limited free time without kids, do yourself and your country a favor and make time to vote today. It's a once-a-year thing and whatever the polls show later on, you can be proud you let your voice be heard. And then, you'll have every right to bitch about the results you don't like, knowing you had nothing to do with them!

Give it to me straight

When I became a mom, I realized how precious stolen moments of time can be. Time for myself, time spent with my husband, time with my kids, time to make meals, time to sleep, etc., etc.

So, anything touted as a time-saver that has the added bonus of making us moms look our best should be greeted like manna from heaven, right? That's what I thought when I first heard about the miraculous Brazilian Blowout a few years ago. I mean, who doesn't look great when their hair is impeccably shiny and straight? And who wouldn't want to achieve that with little or no effort for months at a time? Honestly, two of the things that kept me from running right out to my hairdresser and getting mine done then and there were the price (the same as half the year at my gym!) and the time involved. But my main concern was the potential health risk. I kept recalling the old mantra: things that look too good to be true, probably are.

Lo and behold, now multiple studies set the record straight (get it?) on this miracle cure for curls and frizz. Not too long ago, Allure magazine did an expose' on the procedure that uncovered a secret ingredient used to get the kinks out of hard-to-control hair -- formaldehyde. You may have heard of that chemical before as it is often found in nail polish and (gag) is commonly used as an embalming fluid. If that doesn't gross you out enough, the National Cancer Institute has also listed formaldehyde as a known carcinogen that has been linked to several cancers, including leukemia. Aside from causing diseases that can potentially kill you, formaldehyde can have less serious but still troubling side-effects like nausea, coughing, skin and throat irritation as well as causing watery eyes and a burning sensation in the nose.

But wait a minute, you say....didn't the maker of this Brazilian hair formula remove formaldehyde from their products amidst all the brouhaha when the Allure story first came out? Well, here is where it might help to get your facts straight (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Apparently, while Brazilian Blowout says they removed the controversial chemical -- even now labeling the product as "formaldehyde-free" -- independent lab tests have confirmed that not only is it still present, it's found in doses significantly higher than what is deemed safe. Just a few weeks ago, a Canadian study found that the Brazilian Blowout contains up to 12 percent formaldehyde and issued a warning to urge consumers to avoid the product. A similar study out of Oregon also found high levels of the toxic substance and subsequently issued health alerts to consumers in that state. Many salons across the country have now discontinued the service as a health risk to employees and customers alike.

Women have long suffered indignities and risked their health in an effort to beautify themselves. Every year we read stories of women who die on the operating table during elective plastic surgery, botched boob jobs, ladies burned during laser hair removal procedures, not to mention the dubious claims made by diet pills and nutritional supplements promising to help us look and feel our absolute best.

For someone who routinely shuns manicures and pedicures because of the gross-out factor of most of today's nail polishes and removers, you can guess where I fall on the debate about the Brazilian Blowout. While I'd love nothing more than to have my tresses soft and silky and looking like Gwyneth Paltrow or Courtney Cox, I'll draw the line at where vanity and potential poison intersect. (and by the way, I am in no way saying that these celebs have used this particular hair process....just admiring their gorgeous manes.)

So, until there is a safe alternative, I'll be sweating it out under my trusty hair dryer, armed with my earth-friendly products and my large curling brush, straightening my locks the old fashioned way. And as a mom who doesn't always have time to wash my hair everyday, that also comes in handy as a natural way of achieving that coveted "flat" look.

Just say "yes"

When you think of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), what sort of thoughts come to mind? Crack house busts, organized crime, reruns of "Cops" on cable? Certainly not an effort to clean out your medicine cabinet or help the environment by preventing the abuse or improper disposal of medication?

But that's exactly the goal of a campaign by the DEA this Saturday across the country. In an effort to curb rampant misuse of prescription and expired over-the-counter meds, the DEA is offering 4,000 drop-off sites across the nation where anyone can anonymously get rid of such medications. The program originated as a way to combat crime and increasing deaths linked to prescription drug abuse, but for me, the environmental angle holds just as much sway.

Each year, millions of pills or liquid medicines are flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain, exposing our waterways to traceable levels of these meds. This affects, not only our environment but studies have shown that even tap water in certain municipalities now shows detectable levels of medicines like birth control and anti-depressants. Doesn't exactly make you want to gulp down those recommended eight glasses a day, huh?

So take a moment today or tomorrow to gather up all those old medicines and clear your bathrooms out of discards you won't use anyway and that could easily pose a danger to your kids. Get rid of it the right way. You'll be doing your family, your medicine cabinet and our earth a favor.

For more information on the drop off, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39328587/ns/health-more_health_news/

To locate a drop off site near you, go to
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/NTBI-PUB.pub;jsessionid=6176CC3BEEE0F599AE74679B3E6D1EEC?_flowExecutionKey=_cCF03CB76-1E64-1852-C6C3-7F609368AF03_k64982B34-0E99-25EB-7C37-7296A1B2A520

Ode to Tipper Gore

When I was about seven, growing up in a small, southern town, I signed up for Miss Ramona's dance class. The class was your typical elementary-age ballet/tap/jazz program taught out of an upstairs home studio. Each day, we'd spend about 10 minutes "warming up" to get us in the mood to begin our routine. For some reason, Miss Ramona's song of choice for this warm up was Captain & Tennille's "Do That to Me One More Time." (C'mon, it was the '70s people!)

As a pre-adolescent, I had absolutely no idea what this song was about. But that didn't stop me from singing it non-stop and begging my mother to let me buy the 45 LP (again, the '70s!). She adamantly refused and told me she thought the song was totally inappropriate for a class of seven-year-olds. I was completely perplexed. After all, the song didn't have any bad words that I could recognize. What was so wrong with it?

Now, it's official -- I have surpassed my mother (and Tipper Gore) in terms of my radio outrage as a parent of today's youth.

After hearing Katy Perry's "California Gurls" and getting into the pop vibe of the song, I saw it on sale for $8 at my local bookstore and decided to spring for it. I'd never heard any of her other songs, but I figured they'd all have a similar dance beat that might come in handy during a workout. It wasn't til I went to unwrap it that I noticed the "explicit lyrics" sticker placed on the corner of the CD (and the cotton candy smell emanating from the packaging -- I kid you not.)

Honestly, I really don't think I'm a prude, but I was shocked by some of the words of Miss Perry's music. Thankfully, my kids were not in the car when I first played it, so now I know exactly which songs to skip when they are around, lest I get peppered with questions I have no desire to answer right now.

For those of you who are not familiar with this album, here's a sample of some of the lyrics:

Let's go all the way tonight 
No regrets, just love 
We can dance, until we die 
You and I, will be young forever...


I'm gonna get your heart racing
In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight 


And another sample from a different track:


There's a stranger in my bed,
There's a pounding in my head
Glitter all over the room
Pink flamingos in the pool
I smell like a minibar
DJ's passed out in the yard
Barbie's on the barbecue

There's a hickey or a bruise
Pictures of last night
Ended up online
I'm screwed
Oh well
It's a black top blur
But I'm pretty sure it ruled...


Last Friday night
We went streaking in the park
Skinny dipping in the dark
Then had a menage a trois
Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop
Whoa-oh-oah

This Friday night
Do it all again
This Friday night
Do it all again


And last but certainly not least:


I wanna see your peacock, cock, cock
Your peacock, cock
Your peacock, cock, cock
Your peacock
I wanna see your peacock, cock, cock
Your peacock, cock
Your peacock, cock, cock
Your peacock

Word on the street, you got somethin' to show me,
Magical, colorful, Mr. Mystery,
I'm intrigued, for a peek, heard it's fascinating
Come on baby let me see
What you're hiding underneath


Okay, so I'll stop with the sampling now, but I think you get the idea. 


I don't mean to get all Bill O'Reilly on you (God forbid!), but these lyrics make Madonna look a bit tame by comparison. Menage a trois? Peacock? Hard to believe these songs are performed by a girl who is 25 whose first recording was a gospel album! Am I alone over here blushing in my minivan, or is this a bit much coming from someone who didn't even have her driver's license ten years ago? 


Amazingly, Katy Perry was raised in a strict Christian household and not even allowed to listen to secular music growing up. Begging the question, does anything we do as parents to set boundaries for our kids really matter in the end? In the age of sexting, Twitter and Facebook where our privacy is basically non-existent, and the over sexualizing of young girls so pervasive, is this the inevitable result? 


Let it be known that I don't consider myself a conservative person, and I do genuinely like the dance beats of Katy Perry's performances. And as a journalist and proponent of free speech, I recognize that she has the right to belt out such lyrics, just as I have the right to choose not to listen to them if I so desire. 


But still, some of her sentiments are a bit salty for my (admittedly non-) virgin ears. Am I an old fuddy duddy? Somewhere in Florida, my mom is chuckling and thinking that maybe Captain & Tennille really wasn't so bad after all.

Driven to Distraction

When I first got my driver's license, I remember being warned by my mother not to do something silly, like put on makeup while I was behind the wheel. My how times have changed! Mascara is no longer the vehicular risk of choice these days. Everything from cell phone conversations, text messages, GPS devices, video players and screaming children conspires to drive us to distraction in the 21st century.

Here in Georgia, a law just went into effect prohibiting text messaging while operating a motor vehicle (even at stoplights!). First offenders receive a $150 fine and a point on their driver's licenses. Thirty states have such laws on the books and eight states ban the use of handheld cellphones while driving.

While I personally think these laws are good things, sadly, we continue to hear about people who are not deterred by a fine, or those who simply think it "won't happen to them." Just a few weeks ago, a well-regarded doctor in California plunged off a cliff to his death while texting. A deadly train crash in 2008 was blamed on texting and last year, a Northwest Airlines flight continue 150 miles beyond its destination, allegedly because the pilots were distracted working on their laptops. While laws can be passed that are designed to prevent this sort of irresponsible behavior, there is no way to truly enforce them other than to catch people in the act, when the damage may already have been done.

But as a parent, it never ceases to shock me when I read stories about moms and dads who were so distracted that they forgot they had a child in the car, often with deadly consequences. Personally, I cannot imagine what could possibly make me forget my kids were in the car (these parents must have awfully quiet kids!). If you are that distracted, you have no business being behind the wheel in the first place. Even if you don't have kids, if you are this distracted, you are lucky if you aren't the cause of an accident. And I don't care how late I am for work, or a meeting, or a big shoe sale at the mall, nothing, I repeat, NOTHING would make me forget one of my kids was traveling with me.

That said, this past month was the deadliest month ever for kids left in cars. Most of these children died of heatstroke as the temperature in a closed vehicle can quickly register much higher than the temperature outside. My heart aches for these children....and for their parents. As irresponsible as their behavior is, I'd say the worst punishment is having to live with the result of their own actions.

Obviously, the issue of how to prevent these distracted parents from even getting behind the wheel with their kids -- or someone else's kids -- in the first place, needs to be seriously addressed.  Car makers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are now exploring devices that may help remind forgetful parents that they have a child in the backseat. Some suggestions include chimes that would sound if seat belts are left fastened in a parked car, sensors that would detect extra weight in a car, or an alarm system that activates when a car exceeds a certain interior temperature.

I was surprised to read that 10 years ago, NASA engineers developed technology that can alert drivers if they've left a child in their car. To date, this technology has been reviewed by automakers, but none have chosen to use it. Sadly, it was developed in response to a NASA co-worker's experience when their child died after being left in the car.

So, it doesn't take a rocket scientist (or maybe in this case, it does?) to realize that if it can happen to an employee of NASA, it can happen to anyone. But all the bells and whistles in the world won't replace a parent who is more focused on anything other than the task of driving their children safely. As important as all this other stuff is to us (our jobs, our phone conversations, etc.), all of it pales in comparison to the most fundamental role we have as parents - keeping our kids safe.

Let's all try to remember that.

What would you do?

Rather than writing a lengthy diatribe on a specific incident today, I thought I'd outline the topic on my mind and pose a question. Then, as comedian Mike Meyers would say on Coffee Talk with Linda Richman - you can "talk amongst yourselves."

The latest airline controversy does not involve minors taking to the friendly skies alone, or disgruntled flight attendants flamboyantly quitting their jobs. This issue is a bit more complicated and really has less to do with the fact that it occurred in mid-air and more to do with the fact that it occurred in public.

On Monday, a flight attendant witnessed a mother hitting her one-year-old baby in the face while on a flight from Dallas to Seattle. She says she also saw the mother slap the child's legs and tell her to "shut up." After witnessing these actions, the flight attendant took the child away from the mother and walked with her to the back of the plane to soothe her. The father then came to retrieve the child and held her inflight until she fell asleep. The parents had previously argued about the mother's reaction and the father later told police that his wife would sometimes "pop" the child during a tantrum but he'd never seen her slap her face (though the child did have a black eye that the mother says came from a dog bite?)

So, the question is....did the flight attendant overstep her bounds or was she a good Samaritan stepping in to rescue an innocent victim? If you witnessed something similar in public, what would you do? Might you also intervene? Ignore the behavior in disgust? Contact the authorities? As a mother, how would you accept parenting criticism from a total stranger? When is it ok to step in and take action in such situations and when is it expected that we should "mind our own business"?

Now, talk amongst yourselves.....

Plane Stupid

I must admit, there have been times that I've had one one of those "Calgon, take me away" moments and fantasized about hopping the next flight to anywhere that doesn't involve me cooking dinner, driving carpool or changing diapers. But in reality, I would never skip town without warning. For one, my family needs me. Two, it would be completely irresponsible, not to mention, expensive. And three, flying off at a moments notice is just not the way I do things these days.

It seems that a group of teenagers in Florida didn't exactly share my sensibilities this week when they used babysitting money to fly to Nashville alone. Never mind that their ages were 15, 13 and 11 and their parents had no idea they were planning this little excursion. What is really amazing is that they were able to do it without any flack from the airline (Southwest), which didn't bat an eyelash when the trio paid cash for their tickets and weren't made to show identification in order to board the plane.

Apparently, kids who are under 18 are not required to show ID by the Transportation Safety Administration. And Southwest Airlines policy is that kids ages 12-17 are free to fly without adult supervision. In fact, it turns out most public transportation companies wouldn't think twice about selling tickets to children considered minors under the law. For example, kids as young as 8 years-old can ride without an adult on Greyhound Bus. And those younger than 8 are considered a-ok as long as they are traveling with someone who is at least 15 years of age.

Since most 15 year-olds don't have driver's licenses, I'd love to know how the bus company verifies their age. Teens who are at least 15 are also free to take Amtrak without an adult companion.

Some people might read this story and think, "Who cares?" Perhaps they feel that the parents should keep their kids on a shorter leash so that things like this won't happen in the first place. But to me, the fact that these kids managed to take this impromptu trip unbeknownst to anyone else isn't really what scares me the most.

What frightens me is that this is yet another loophole in our transportation system that is just waiting to be exploited by people who would seek to inflict harm on America like those who perpetrated 9-11. In certain foreign countries, it's common practice to recruit young people to carry out the dirty work planned by adults behind the scenes. Many terrorists prey on the naivete and vulnerability of disenfranchised youth, and this is yet another scenario that could very well have deadly consequences. What's to stop them from planning a mass attack on various transit systems by using kids who can theoretically slip under the radar because they aren't required to show identification?

In the case of the kids from Florida, they landed in Nashville, realized they didn't have enough money left to reach their destination of Dollywood (my, what lofty aspirations they had!) and called their parents. Southwest Airlines then refunded their money (an odd move if they stick to the line that the company did nothing wrong in the first place) and sent them home to mom and dad.

This time, the hijinx were completely harmless. Let's hope some clever copycat with more nefarious notions doesn't get the same idea.

No Kidding!

This morning when I checked my regular news websites, I woke to some of the most disturbing news I've read in quite a while. It seems a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics has found that it isn't considered unusual for girls to begin hitting puberty as young as 7 or 8 years old.

No, that is not a typo. Seven or eight years old....the same age most kids are discovering Barbie and learning to ride a bike.

While it hasn't been definitively established exactly why girls are "developing" so much earlier nowadays, some scientists speculate that it may have to do with exposure to chemicals in plastics (such as BPA), that mimic estrogen. Others expressed concern over diet and perhaps hormones in meat and dairy products being a culprit. Some feel that the obesity epidemic is to blame.

Early onset of puberty is troubling for other reasons as well. Several studies have linked it with an increased risk of breast cancer. Many girls who develop earlier than their peers run a higher risk of self-esteem issues linked to negative body issues. In the past, puberty was considered "normal" around age 11 or 12.

The idea that my almost-six-year-old could get her period in the next year or two is more than startling to me. Something is inherently wrong with that. I mean, she has not even learned how to read yet and still often needs help wiping #2 when she uses the bathroom. Somehow I doubt that adding tampons and sanitary napkins to the mix will make things easier. And I really had hoped that she'd be out of the little kids clothing section by the time we had to go bra shopping! Not to mention the new reality show potential when kids under age 10 start having babies themselves. Perish the thought!

A few years ago, a good friend who is the mother of only boys, noticed that her oldest was starting to develop what looked suspiciously like breasts when he was in the first grade. She took him to the pediatrician who asked her how much milk he drank and suggested that she go "organic" to help combat the issue. She was shocked as she was a person who had never really bought into the whole "green" lifestyle.

While we can't entirely eliminate environmental threats, I've worked hard to do what I can to go mostly organic in our home and use only glass or BPA/Phthalate-free plastics. We avoid buying products containing parabens as preservative as they've also been shown to be hormone disruptors. Though my daughter whines and complains, I won't let her use regular play-makeup or nail polishes, opting instead for non-toxic varieties like Piggy Paint. But when we're out, at school or at a friends house, all bets are off.

Without going overboard, I do feel it's getting harder and harder to protect our kids from things that our parents just never even thought twice about. I doubt my mom even thought she had any control over when her children hit puberty and figured it just "happened when it happened." Now, as with many other things, we know that our lifestyles and daily choices can have a major impact on our health and on our growing bodies.

Perhaps new studies will emerge refuting this one, or adding other concerns to the mix. With so many unanswered questions, I'll continue to be do what I can to ensure that my kids remain kids as long as they can -- and should.

Everybody in the Pool!

Way back when, I thought my biggest fear regarding swimming pools and kids was drowning. While I still worry about that, I was surprised to learn that there are many other potential dangers lurking in that sparkling, blue water. I'm not advocating that parents abstain from swimming in the pool with their kids (as if that is even a possibility here in the south...hello, heat index of 110 degrees!), I'm only passing along information you may want to consider next time you take a dip with the wee ones (or by yourself, for that matter). 


Though I abhor the heat, I've spent most summers of my life submerged in various swimming holes -- wreaking of chlorine, my hair dry and brittle. Little did I know that the very chemical that makes it seemingly safer to swim in pools since it kills most germs, actually poses other risks as well. Several studies have linked the chlorine to asthma and skin irritation (especially for those with eczema). More disturbing, it's been determined that chlorine can react with other compounds found in water to create carcinogens that can be stored in the body for an extended period of time that can result in an elevated risk of several types of cancer including that of the breast and bladder. 

Thankfully, more people are entertaining the idea of converting their pools to salt water these days (which does still contain chlorine, though much less) -- even better, some pools are going high tech, using UV technology to disinfect. But since most pools still contain lots of chlorine, there are a few tips you'd be wise to keep in mind during these remaining summer months. 


First, beware of pools that smell too strongly of chlorine. It IS possible to over-chlorinate a pool and it's bad enough to swim in a normal amount of chlorine. Avoid taking a dunk in a pool that appears to be filled with too much of the chemical as it is a powerful additive that certainly isn't beneficial in large doses. Make sure you feel confident that a professional (or at least someone who knows what they are doing) is regularly checking the pool's Ph levels. You may even want to limit the time you spend in a chlorinated pool in general and always remember to shower off with clean water after swimming to remove as much of the remaining residue as possible (though it is indeed, absorbed through the skin). 


And don't be fooled into thinking that chlorine actually kills ALL germs in pools. One of the most prevalent pool polluters -- cryptospordium -- is resistant to chlorine and can cause major gastrointestinal distress. According to the CDC, these pesky parasites can survive in the water for days. This is especially something to keep in mind when swimming in a public pool. Even an infinitesimal amount of poop can do more than stink up the joint - it can seriously compromise the safety of the entire area.  


Other viruses often found poolside include norovirus and giardia, which cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, as well as the virus that causes swimmers ear (not deadly, but certainly annoying). 


So, before you take the Nestea plunge (yes, I'm dating myself), use a little common sense and try to be sure you don't come home with more than just a damp suit and collection of wet towels. And here you thought you were so well prepared after my previous entry on sunscreen...have you not yet learned that just when you tackle one concern, there is always something else to worry about these days?

Crime & Punishment

Much has been said lately about the so-called Barefoot Bandit -- a previously elusive, and sometimes shoe-less thief who was caught recently in the Bahamas after amassing a huge Facebook Following and managing to outstep police for some time. While I'm in no way condoning what he stands accused of (stealing, among other things, planes, cars, boats, etc.), reading more about his background gave me pause and begs the question: Do parents who mistreat, neglect and abuse their offspring bear some responsibility and legal culpability when those children grow up and turn to a life of crime?

If you aren't familiar with this latest caper, the basic details are as follows: The Barefoot Bandit (ne: Colton Harris-Moore) is 19 years old and it appears he started out small, breaking into homes of neighbors, ostensibly to steal food since his mother spent her days drinking, made no attempt to hold down a job or stock food in their own home and seemingly forced him to forage for himself at a young age. With no father in the picture, records show that Child Protective Services was called to his home more than a dozen times by the time he was 15. His mother was repeatedly investigated for mistreatment of her son (once after she was seen harshly beating him in the head when he was only 4) but yet, was never prosecuted. 

The family lived in a dilapidated trailer in a rural area of Washington state, protected by a homemade sign that read, "if you go past this sign, you will be shot." Neighbors reported hearing loud arguments at all hours and eventually, the young boy (some say by age 7) began living in the wild on his own. Surviving by stealing food and finding shelter in abandoned homes, his teen years brought several arrests, but nothing more than short stays in juvenile detention centers. It seems he somehow taught himself how to fly an airplane and this spring, took off on a cross-country chase, stealing cars and making his way by private plane (not his) to the Bahamas where he was caught. He now awaits trial on multiple charges at a federal detention center back in Washington. 

His own attorney surmises that if he'd had proper direction, he probably wouldn't have done what he stands accused of doing. So, while he is clearly at fault and deserves to be punished for these crimes, is his abuser (aka: his mother) also somewhat responsible and should she also bear some of the legal burden as well? As a mother, did her negligent behavior predispose and in effect, drive her son to a life of crime as a matter of survival? 

Part of this scares me. As a mom myself, I don't want to be held responsible for the behavior of my adult children (unless they end up as President or Supreme Court Justice). But, if my actions somehow directly related to their behavior, would it be fair to say that I should also be found at fault? Isn't it sort of like being accessory to a crime? Or is it an impossible standard to uphold since you can't prove a parent actually knows their child would commit such crimes as a result of your poor parenting skills. 

It's not that I think that my son will eventually start robbing convenience stores because he'll recall that I gave his sister a bigger dessert than he got one night when he was two. This story obviously goes much deeper. The shameful behavior on the part of the mother involved is significant enough that I think a reasonable parent would know that they were setting a horribly wrong example for their child that would lead to no good. But, I'm assuming that unless she somehow knew or suspected that he was committing crimes, she will not be held responsible for the actions of her son, regardless of her role in creating a hostile atmosphere that potentially paved the path to these crimes. 

Much has yet to come out, both regarding the crimes of the Barefoot Bandit and the role his mother may have played in creating an living hell for her child. Regardless, I'd like to know why a social worker who interiewed Mrs. Harris-Moore when her son was first arrested at age 12, wrote the following in her report: “Colton wants Mom to stop drinking and smoking, get a job and have food in the house. Mom refuses.”

Isn't that a crime in and of itself?

Getting my panties in a wad

I'm not sure when I became such a prude, but evidently, it happened when I became the mom of curious Kindergartner.

You see, lately, whenever we go to the mall, we happen to pass nearly life-sized ads for Victoria's Secret, featuring scantily clad models in their skivvies, posing oh so provocatively. And my daughter, being the inquisitive person she is, always asks me why there are photos of ladies in their underwear and what they are doing in the mall. Now, pre-kids, I would have never given such advertisements a second thought. But now that I'm a mommy, it dawns on me that it is a bit confounding that I would get arrested for indecent exposure if I showed up at my local shopping center in a bra and panties, but yet it is perfectly acceptable for massive pictures of other women in their unmentionables to be plastered all over the place.

When did I become this person who is bothered by things like this? I mean, I even worked part-time at Victoria's Secret when I was in college! I remember when people raised a red flag about tv shows they deemed were inappropriate for kids being aired before bedtime hours and I thought, "Well, if they don't like it, they can change the channel." And in the 1980's when Tipper Gore waged her campaign against obscene lyrics in music, I recall thinking that she didn't have to listen to it if it bothered her so much and that most parents would be smart enough not to tune into those songs with kids around.

Ah, to be young and naive again!

The problem is, when I walk through the mall with my kids, I can't really avoid, or even know ahead of time, where these ads are located. And the idea of avoiding the mall entirely with kids in tow is just not realistic. Plus, I doubt kid-friendly venues like Gymboree and The Gap would be very happy if moms like me were dissuaded from giving them business if we could only shop sans children. But unlike a radio or television, I can't change the channel, so to speak, or rather, prevent my kids from seeing such inappropriate images when we are doing something as innocuous as shopping.

I'm not out to have my daughter be ashamed of her body or feel self-conscious about it in any way. At home, she knows that it's ok to ask for privacy, but it's also ok for mommy or daddy to be with you while you are changing or in the bathroom. She's showered with me on many occasions and I never feel self-conscious around her in the comfort of our own home. It's just hard to explain to her that it's not socially acceptable for her to walk around in her panties or bathing suit while we are out shopping for new school clothes, yet there's a photo of a scantily clad woman right as we walk in the door to the mall.

Is this the price I pay for freedom of expression these days? I know there have been controversies with advertisements in the past (ie: Abercrombie & Fitch and their risque ad campaigns) but as a mom, I'm extra-sensitive to images that are just "out there" rather than hidden away in a magazine for me to censor appropriately.

I'm curious to hear what other moms think. Am I in danger of joining the conservative party or is my paranoia in this case somewhat justified?

Crib Crap

As much as I hate being awakened in the night by miniature people who want things like sippy cup refills, help ridding their closets of monsters or evil witches, or assistance wiping their little tushies, I thank my lucky stars that my family is almost out of the crib stage. Having one child still in a baby bed can really be a pain, especially when it comes to travel. As if airline tickets and baggage fees aren't enough to make my head spin, we still have the added burden of trying to figure out sleeping arrangements, crib rental, etc.

Part of me dreads the initial, "wow, I can get up in the night and walk into mommy and daddy's room" thing that will inevitably occur. My daughter is still notorious for her 2 a.m. visits to let me know that she's done sleeping and is ready to start the day. But still, anything is better than the small fortune I've spend hunting down safe, reliable cribs in various hotels, condos or even relatives homes over the past five years.

Oddly enough, safety has become such a hot button issue when it comes to cribs. You'd think you could take for granted that something as ubiquitous as a bed in a baby's nursery is nothing to worry about. Remember when your biggest concern was whether or not the paint on your kid's crib was safe in case they decided to teethe on the bars in the night? Did you ever measure the distance between the bars with a soda can to make sure they weren't far enough apart for an errant limb to get caught in? Or, were you the type of parent who didn't really care that much about those things but spent hours online trying to find the perfect bedding ensemble, complete with matching drapes, hamper and diaper basket.

Either way,  if you still have a child in a crib, you might be interested to note that as of today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to ban the U.S. sale, manufacturing or resale of cribs with drop-down sides. Yes, that would likely include the crib you own and the ones all your friends and family own too. No doubt you've read the recent stories of children that were caught between the mattresses and the sides of these cribs, either due to faulty construction or a manufacturing defect.

So far, this is just a vote and no actual action has taken place. Even if the vote becomes reality, it likely won't become law for another year. Regardless, many crib manufacturers and stores have begun phasing out these controversial beds, 9 million of which have been recalled in the past few years, including today's recall by Pottery Barn Kids of ALL of their drop-side cribs.

So, what does this mean for those of us who have drop-side cribs? Do we pitch them and run out to get the latest and greatest in baby bedding? I may be paranoid, but I'm not stupid. So, while I will not be ditching my son's current baby bed, I will re-double my efforts to make sure we put it together safely and check it more often to make sure that all the nuts, bolts and screws are secure and properly installed. You can often purchase hardware that will render your drop-side crib immobile by preventing the sides from moving. We have less than a year left in this bed and it's served both my kids well. I have enough to worry about keeping my kids safe when they are awake, I really hate to worry about them while they are asleep. Perhaps it's naive, but after nearly six years of problem-free use, I do feel relatively good about our crib's record. And I know that kids are far more likely to encounter serious risks in other everyday areas of life like driving dangers, sun exposure and various environmental hazards lurking just around the corner.

However, if I had a hand-me-down crib that had seen better days, I think I'd consider investing in something I knew was a better bet. After all, I don't skimp on their food, sunscreen, car seats, or anything else that is going to effect their overall well-being and health, why should a bed be any different?

Hot Child in the City

If you live anywhere on the east coast, chances are you would have actually been cooler in your gym's sauna today than you were outside. "HotLanta" truly lived up to it's name with a heat index temp of 104. Record-breaking heat is scorching many other cities like New York, DC, Charlotte and Philadelphia. I am so jealous of those of you who live in San Francisco where the high today was 70 (as I write this, it's 91 degrees at nearly 9pm in Atlanta and 55 degrees at 6 pm there -- damn you Northern California!).  I honestly have a hard time spending more than a few minutes outdoors on days like this (especially considering it was a "code orange" smog day here, which means the air was as unhealthy as it was hot.). 


Since I can't completely escape the sun, there are a few key things I try to keep in mind as I sweat through these next few months waiting for those first few snowflakes to blow through (yes, I know I'm weird, but I would take winter over summer any day!)


First of all, I don't waste money on clothing that is labeled SPF (unless is is on the clearance rack). It's not that I don't care about my kids' skin....it's just that I can spend a whole lot less and protect their entire wardrobe with my own washing machine. For years I've sworn by something called SunGuard made by RIT (the dye people), that actually infuses loads of laundry with an SPF of 30. The coverage lasts for 20 washes so once I get the whole family's stuff treated, it covers us for nearly the entire summer. The product can be tough to find as many grocery stores no longer carry it, but it can easily be ordered online. 


Second, I make sure each of us is slathered in a physical sunblock that uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. More prevalent chemical sunscreens tout ingredients which can sink beneath the skin and have been linked to hormone disruption. One chemical in particular -- oxybenzone -- should be avoided entirely as scientists have found it penetrates the skin more readily and is especially dangerous for children. Unfortunately, the stuff can be tough to avoid as it is currently found in 60 percent of all sunscreens in the U.S. today. Sadly, it seems American parents need a molecular biology degree to decipher the best method of sun protection for their kids (yes, sunscreens are much safer in Europe -- yet another reason to lobby for that Parisian getaway). 


A list of the "safest sunscreen" options available in the States can be found at http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/. Some of our family favorites include California Baby, Badger, Burt's Bees and Episencial. And please don't forget to reapply as most people stay in the sun far too long for the protection to remain effective (and most don't apply enough in the first place.) I'll admit, it's confusing because, by the FDA's own admission, the jury is still out on whether or not sunscreen works at all -- hence the excerpt from their latest report in 2007 -- “sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun." 


Say what?


So, I guess staying in the shade is still your best bet, but failing that, sunscreen can't hurt. Or can it? 


Some studies have actually shown that a form of vitamin A -- retinyl palmitate --  found in nearly 50 percent of sunscreens, can actually speed skin damage and raise the risk of cancer. This form of vitamin A is an antioxidant that is a seemingly safe additive to night creams and lotions worn out of sunlight but actually alters the DNA when exposed to the sun. So, it's best to avoid retinols outdoors in high heat. 


Apart from direct sun, the heat itself can be dangerous, responsible from everything from heat stroke, cramps, rashes and dehydration. It goes without saying that you and your kids should drink more water than usual when spending extended periods outdoors.The thing about extreme heat is that you often don't realize its effects until it's too late. I'll never forget one Spring Break in Florida when a group of us went to a water park in Orlando to have some fun and work on our tans (in my pre-paranoid mama days). After an hour or so, I felt a bit dizzy so I went to the bathroom to splash some cool water on my face. The next thing I know, I'm lying on a mildewy floor with a paramedic standing over me asking me how many fingers he's holding up. I have no recollection of fainting and before we were gently escorted out, I was kindly sent to an air-conditioned room and given about a gallon of Gatorade. 


I cannot count the sunburns I endured as a child or the times I stupidly basted myself in oil and laid on what was a virtual blanket of aluminum foil in order to catch some rays. I am making up for my careless behavior these days, but the damage is already done. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure prior to your 18th birthday. I've been lucky so far, but my kids are clean slates and I intend to do everything I can to make sure their perfect little bodies stay that way as long as possible. 

In the name of good karma

I promise you, I am not a paid spokesperson for this brand.....but I had to write to tell you about a new nail polish remover I just ordered and it is absolutely fabulous. I don't usually get excited about things this mundane, but you must understand that I had pretty much stopped getting manicures and pedicures because the remover literally makes me gag and cough, not to mention, riles up my asthma.
(Here comes the pitch), Karma Organics Nail Polish Remover worked just as well as any other I'd tried, but what really separates it from the pack is the fact that it is completely non-toxic and infused with soybean oil that really seems to condition the nails rather than strip them. The version I ordered is scented with lavender and it is truly hard to believe it's remover and not just aromatherapy oil. Honestly, if someone entered your bathroom and you told them you'd just given yourself a manicure, they'd never believe you because the smell is so spa-like. Gone are the icky fumes of yore and the myth that a remover must have a strong, noxious odor in order to be effective.
I have yet to try any of Karma's accompanying nail polishes, but judging from the site, the colors are rich and radiant and similar to any I'd find in a regular marketplace (again, minus the yucky stuff). The only major difference, other than a lack of chemicals, is the price tag. Cheap, it ain't. But hey, it's still easier on the wallet than having your nails professionally done. At $12 for a 4 oz bottle of the remover, I'll use it sparingly. Here's a link to their site if you'd like to check it out for yourself. (if I were a savvy about this blog-thing, I'd insert a photo here, but alas, I still have much to learn).

http://store.karmaorganicspa.com/nail-polish.html

Lead in paint, jewelry and now....juice?

The gasoline you put in your car may be unleaded, but don't assume that glass of juice you sip with breakfast is lead-free. A particularly alarming report on NPR yesterday cited a California environmental group's study that found lead in a wide array of juices and fruit snacks sold nationwide. Brands found to contain the dangerous mineral included such popular names as Welch's, Minute Maid, Gerber, Hansen's, Del Monte and Dole (for the complete list, go to http://www.envirolaw.org/documents/ProductsTestedforLeadFINAL.pdf)

And don't assume that just because you buy organic, you're out of the woods. Many organic labels like Earth's Best, O Organics and 365 Everyday Value from Whole Foods were also affected. I printed the entire list out and it's five pages long. In many cases, a single serving or juice box was found to exceed federal limits for kids. (FDA, are you listening?) The American Academy of Pediatrics has long stated that NO amount of lead is safe for children.

I have two questions.....

1 -- Why has this story not gotten more play on the news?
2 -- Where is this lead coming from?

Is it possible that the soil used to grow these fruits is infected with it? Or, perhaps the machinery used in the manufacturing process has contaminated the products? Thankfully, my own kids don't drink a lot of juice, but I know that's not the norm. Much of the juice in this study is specifically marketed to children -- even infants. As you probably know, lead is especially dangerous for little ones who tend to absorb more of the metal than adults. Since lead poisoning often shows no immediate symptoms but the toxin can be stored in the blood, bones and organs for an extended period of time, the danger is often silent and progressive. The litany of related problems can include memory issues, poor cognitive skills, language impairment, decrease in fine-motor skills, trouble paying attention and an overall loss of IQ points.

It used to be that we only worried about pervasive lead exposure for kids who lived in houses built prior to the 1970s. Then came reports of lead popping up in the paint on toys and in metal used for cheap jewelry. Now it's apparently slipping into the most vulnerable in the population on a daily basis in their very own sippy cups. I thought BPA was my biggest worry with regard to my kid's thermos choices...now I find that the very thing we are giving our children to nourish their bodies could be causing irreparable harm? And here I was feeling so virtuous that I feed my kids fruits and veggies and forgo sugary staples like soda and Kool-Aid.

I don't mean to be picky, but I'll take my drinks without the added lead, thank you. Stay tuned for more on this as more details trickle out.

And to update a previous posting of mine, you may be interested to note that Tylenol has now expanded their recall of over the counter meds. This time, a different batch of extra strength Tylenol and Benadryl were pulled due to a moldy smell that has been linked to nausea and stomach pains. For details on the latest recall from Johnson & Johnson (their third in 8 months), go to http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_june.inc

With relatives like these, who needs enemies?

So, yes, I've been away for a while...not that there has been any shortage of things I wanted to write about -- it's just that somehow, life got in the way.

But fear no more -- I'm back and as paranoid as ever!

Today, I'm in a tizzy over a little company you may have heard of called Johnson & Johnson. Now, they bill themselves as "a family company," but I ask you, would anyone in your family knowingly give you something that might endanger your health? (if so, you have bigger problems that probably deserve more paranoia than my blog can supply).

The recall of various kids medicines including Motrin, Tylenol and Benadryl is now old news, having been pulled from shelves months ago with the original recall happening last July. But today, details emerged that are even more disturbing to me than the original recall notice. Allegedly, prior to the public recall, the company issued a "phantom recall," hiring another company to have employees pose as consumers and attempt to purchase the tainted medication before the issue was made known to the masses. This is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to begin. I mean, it's not as if we're talking about a bake sale and a mom who tries to pass off store-bought goodies as homemade. This is medication we're talking about -- medication designed specifically for children, nonetheless. To attempt to evade a recall by such deceptive practice is totally unspeakable. Who knows how many additional bottles of questionable medicines were purchased during the time in which J&J knowingly deceived consumers by leaving it on the shelf rather than issuing an immediate recall.

Legislators are now investigation the company's motive and whether or not they sought to preserve their reputation at the expense of responsibility and safety to consumers. Well, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.....?

If this is not enough to drive you to purchase generic over-the-counter meds, I don't know what will. The latest recall from J&J covers more than 40 medications that make up 70 percent of the pediatric market. I know my own medicine cabinet was filled with them.

Johnson & Johnson -- a family company? I think not.

Minivan Meltdown

So, today, beleaguered auto-maker, Toyota, recalled more than half-a-million Sienna minivans due to a potentially faulty cable issue. My husband owns a Prius (which I love) and I sort of feel like poor Toyota is like the former prom king who grows up, gets fat and nobody wants to date them anymore. Are their glory days over?


Can I just say, I drive a mini-van and I love it. I never thought I'd say such a thing and I admit I got a little teary when my husband and I decided to trade my sporty little red Accord in for my Odyssey. But nearly six years later, I can honestly say, it's the best car I've ever owned. And just to prove I'm not ashamed of my mom-ified set of wheels, my brother gave me  a t-shirt that states, "I'm too sexy for my minivan." I often wear it to the gym with pride.


While I love my mommy-mobile, I can't say the same for everyone else on the road. Today, in fact, I was parked outside of Old Navy here in suburban Atlanta and when I returned to my car, some lovely passerby had left a hastily scribbled note on my windshield that read:


"You give mini-van drivers a bad name! Learn how to park or buy a smaller car! I couldn't get in my car thru the driver's side b/c of you! Had to crawl through. You are a jerk!!!"


After reading this heart-warming note, I checked to see if I was, in fact, badly parked. Lo and behold, not only was I aligned straight, my wheels were not even touching the line on either side. I have no idea what this person was talking about and perhaps they parked closely on my side and were unable to get into their own car after I arrived. Or maybe they were just having an exceedingly bad day and decided to take it out on a random mommy driver.


In either case, the note shook me up slightly and reminded me the importance and blessing of cutting people slack. I mean, there are earthquakes going on almost daily now, teens are becoming fatal victims to schoolyard bullies, volcanos are erupting, people are losing their jobs and pensions, etc, etc.


So, unless your life is just so horrendously awful, learn from this stranger's behavior and please think twice before lashing out over something as meaningless as a badly parked car. I mean, life IS short. Perhaps mouthing off to me gave this person a little lift or somehow improved their day, but I doubt it. More likely, this is an angry individual who is unhappy and couldn't help but try to bring someone else down with them.


Or, maybe they were ticked off that their Sienna was just recalled.


(for more information on that recall, go to  www.toyota.com/recall)

Excuse me while I climb up here on my soap box

In my house, we wash our hands a lot. I could get a headache just trying to count the number of times I clean myself up after taking out the garbage, changing a dirty diaper, filling up with gas, handling food, going to the bathroom, working out at the gym, etc, etc. You get the idea.

But there is one thing you won't find at my house: antibacterial soap. Though I used to swoon at the delicious scents I bought by the dozen at Bath & Body Works, I later learned that antibacterial soaps contain a chemical called triclosan, which is actually a pesticide. While the jury is still out on just how risky this agent may be, the potential harm it causes is even more serious for children. Use of antibiotic products may also be contributing to the rise of so-called super-bugs -- germs that, ironically, grow resistant to antibiotics merely because  they mutate and grow stronger in order to survive among so many chemicals (like triclosan) designed to get rid of them. These mighty scourges just don't want to leave -- sort of like Kato Kaelin after the OJ Simpson trial.

Thankfully, the FDA announced today that it is re-evaluating the safety of triclosan and one U.S. Representative (Edward Markey, D-MA) lauded the decision and vowed to pursue the study of similar chemicals found in everyday products that may also pose a higher risk to kids.

The move is a step in the right direction. In the meantime, take a tip from your great-grandmother and give those hands a good scrubbing with plain ole' soap and water. It's safe, effective and often cheaper than those antibacterial versions. At our house, we swear by Method and Cleanwell soaps. In fact, Cleanwell's products employ the use of the botanical thyme, which is a natural disinfectant with major germ fighting properties. In the shower, the gels made by Shikai and Kiss My Face work wonders, with nary a chemical in sight.

I should point out that the FDA, while pledging to conduct more research on the matter, defended the continued use of triclosan because human studies are inconclusive. However, animal studies show that the chemical can alter the regulation of hormones.

And if I'm going to bug my kids to wash their hands, the least I can do is make sure all that washing isn't doing more harm than good.

Receipt Deceit?

So, today a friend asked if I'd heard that BPA is now found on cash register receipts? If you're reading this blog, I'm going to assume you know what BPA is and not go into a lot of detail on that. But, in a nutshell, for those new to this "paranoid" stuff, BPA (bisphenol-A) is a chemical found in many plastics that has been linked to cancer and endocrine disruption. It's found in everything from the linings of canned food, to baby toys and teethers and even in drinking water. Most of the earth's population has some level of BPA in their bloodstream and the question now is, how much is too much? The EPA is currently examining that and BPA was removed from baby bottles last year in the US. But my thoughts are that if an item is of questionable safety and there is a known safe alternative (glass or BPA-free plastic), why not use that whenever possible?

I'd not heard about this receipt link, so I decided to check it out and guess what....it's true! That being said, the research I found to support this link was all traced back to one scientist in particular and the journalist in me is a little skeptical about attributing something so newsworthy to only one source. Apparently, this "news" came out last year but received very little play. I'm also a tiny bit bothered by the fact that this information has yet to be published formally. It would seem to me that if the data is true, a credible scientist would be chomping at the bit to get this out to the masses. So, for now, I will take it with a grain of salt because receipts are not exactly something one can avoid in this day and age.

But for a moment, let's just assume this is something we ought to be mildly concerned about. (or at the very least - aware of.)

Again, if you breath and function in society today, it's virtually impossible to avoid amassing a collection of  paper receipts, even among the greenest of people who try to avoid excessive paper consumption. This new BPA danger was first raised by an organic chemist named John C. Warner, who found that copyless carbon paper used by most credit card machines and thermal imaging paper used in most cash registers, utilize a thin layer of BPA in order to create images. The papers don't look any different from those that don't contain the chemical and apparently, tests show that the vast majority of receipts tested positive for BPA.

The most frightening aspect of this to me (again, if the study is to be believed), is that the BPA contained in these receipts is of a free-form that directly contaminates anything it touches, rather than leaching due to heat or prolonged contact, as in the controversy over baby bottles. That means that every time my kids go riffling through my wallet and find receipts, they walk away with BPA on their hands, which is then transferred to everything they touch. Warner argues that since BPA mimics estrogen and estrogen can easily be absorbed into the skin (think of those birth control patches), wouldn't it stand to reason that BPA on receipts can similarly sink into our skin on a daily basis from these ever present papers?

I already try to avoid receipts whenever possible, not because of BPA, but because it's less for me to recycle. I no longer request receipts when I take money out at an ATM or fill up my car at the gas station. I found that those just ended up junking up my purse or diaper bag and in the end, weren't really necessary. But, I do tend to hang onto store receipts indefinitely since you never know when you may need to return an item.

So, what to do?

For now, I file this away in my "potential stuff to worry about but that I can't really do much about" file and go on with life. But perhaps I'll think twice before I let my kids play with something as harmless as a little piece of paper.