Pesticides In Food And Water

I found this site very good resource for information about pesticides. It lists several foods and what kinds of pesticide toxins can be found on that food (and in water) according to studies conducted by the USDA.

According the the FAQ on the site, the USDA prepares the food the same way we would. They get rid of the bad or inedible parts of the food and wash it prior to testing.

Interestingly enough, there are still pesticides on the food after washing. There are even known carcinogens that still linger. According to the website, due to America's poor stewardship over the farming industry, even all organic foods have been contaminated so now there is virtually no food that is without pesticide residue. Organic foods only have much, much less.

Some of the pesticides used have been banned in many other major indstrialized nations, yet the US continues to use them so long as there is minimal harm, or no absolute definitive link is found between the pesticide and the health issues at hand. Some pesticides, as you will find on the website, are known carcinogens, neurotoxins, and can even effect reproductive or developmental health.

Check here to see what pesticides are found on various foods (including bottled water)!



http://www.whatsinmyfood.org/index.jsp

Boiling Water As A Natural Weed Killer

Want to be able to clear your patio or the kids' play area of weeds without having to use chemicals that are bad for you, your family, and your pets? Here's the answer to your dilemma: Boiling Water.

Yes! It's true! You, too can use just boiling water as a natural weed killer! I finally did my own experiment in my own backyard to see if it would really work. Here is the photographic evidence for yourself:


Before:

This weed was growing in between concrete slabs, making my patio look just tacky. So I just heated up some water in my coffee maker and within a day or two....




After:

It was dead! Notice the greenery beside it in the same crack is also dead! The hot water actually scalds the plant at it's roots. How ingenious is that!? So all that's left is to go out and sweep the patio once the weeds are dead!



Really! That's it! It's the end of the article already! It doesn't get much simpler than hot water!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Laundry Detergent Recipie from the Duggars. http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

Ingredients:

1 bar of soap (Fels-Naptha is suggested but I've heard this contains a form of petroleum and you may want to find a more crunchy soap to substitute it with. If you decide to use this, it's $3.75 at this site for 2 bars' worth, already shredded)

1/2 cup Borax ($4.70 at this site - That comes to about $0.47 for each batch of detergent. There is 9.5 cups in each 76 ounce box...or so I read)

1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda ($2.00 at this site)

4 cups water (to start)

Instructions (Short version. See the Duggar's site for longer version):

Grate one bar of soap. Mix with 4 cups of water. Heat until all soap has melted and been mixed with the water. Pour into a large container. Add Super Washing Soda and Borax. Add 5 gallons of water. Mix well. Let sit overnight. Add 5 more gallons of water. Mix well. You now have 10 gallons of laundry detergent!


This will make 10 gallons of liquid laundry detergent. Your total cost to make this would be less than $4.50 (not including the 10 gallons of tap water to make it).


In regular machines, use about 1/2 - 5/8 cup (I use 1/2 cup but the Duggar site calls for 5/8 cup). In HE machines, use 1/4 cup.


This should last for about 320 loads in a regular machine, 640 loads in an HE machine.


The best I could find online just by doing a quick google search was about $3.50 for enough detergent to do 28 loads.


So.....


$3.50 for 28 loads or.....

$4.50 for 320 loads.


Hmmmmm.

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Conclusions:

So naturally, I put this recipe to the test. Results - it works! It actually got all the stink out of my hubby's socks! WHEW! I actually used a bar of dove soap and found that it did not thicken as much as I would have liked. Because of this, I ended up only making 5 gallons of detergent.

If your family is anything like my hubby though, they will still miss the fragrence of regular commercial laundry detergent. If this happens, try adding 1 - 2 drops of essential oils per gallon of laundry detergent liquid after it has cooled.

Ants

Have an ant infestation? Want to find a way to get rid of ants without putting your family, particularly young children and pets who like to put everything in their mouths, at risk by exposing them to poisonous chemcials?


Try cornmeal. Ants are unable to digest cornmeal properly. Some people even claim it makes the ants explode - though I've never seen this happen, myself.

Natural Weed Killers

I will be starting experimentation (hopefully tomorrow) to kill weeds using natural methods.

My first method will be using boiling water. The second will be vinegar.

Boiling water is supposed to kill weeds by scalding the root, making it unable to get nutrients from the ground.

Vinegar is supposed to somewhat 'poisin' the weed. Vinegar has acidic properties, which is what makes it a perfect replacement for other household items like kitchen wipes. It has disinfecting powers and works like bleach but in a much milder way.

I plan on getting pictures of the reults to share with you! If you have any other natural methods you'd like me to try, just let me know and I will try your method on my weeds! :-)

Extra fun tip: Use the boiling water method as a way to use up leftover water from cooking or cleaning. Something when I boil corn on the cob, eggs, or just run water through the coffee pot to clean it a little, there's a good deal of hot water I end up just tossing down the drain. Well, maybe next time we can just toss it out the window or the door.

Soy

Soy...the incredibly debatable and curious food topic swarming the vegan media.


Soy milk, soy protein, soy cheese, soy...sauce. mmm...soy sauce.


Oh......sorry. The goal of this article is to take the two debating sides and present them here. You are the judge and jury.


In the one corner, we have the soy proponents. Mostly vegans, crunchies, and lactose-intolerant people. In this circle of people, soy is healthy and a wonderful alternative to meat and a great source of nutrition.


In the other corner are mostly the carnivorous predators of our day...rawr. Mostly people who believe that God meant for us to eat meat and mostly non-vegetarians, but you will find one or two.. (Don't get me wrong, I do eat meat...so I'm lumping myself in as a carnivorous predator). They are anti-soy because of the rumors that it can cause health problems and may even be toxic.


So the question stands. Is soy healthy?


I will take each side and present the debate. I do have an opinion but I'm going to make this as unbiased as possible and then tell you what I think at the end. The easiest way to do this is to start with why people think soy is unhealthy and then discuss why people think this is not true.


Soy is Bad. Bad soy. Bad.
Many people are anti-soy because of all the potential health issues it can cause. Here is a brief list of health concerns in conjunction with consumption of soy:

Soy contains trypsin inhibitors which are known to prevent healthy digestion.

Soy contains goitrogen, which affects thyroid function and iodine uptake, potentially inducing hypothyroidism.

Soy contains phytic acid, which impairs your body's ability to absorb minerals such as iron, causing conditions such as anemia.

Soy contains phytoestrogens, which is thought to raise estrogen levels. This has a variety of affects include the possibility of increasing breast cancer rates in women, premature development in girls, and underdevelopment in boys (if you think that's craziness, wait till you hear about a similar situation with yam containing progesterone).

The use of soy-based formulas in infants has been related to autoimmune thyroid diseases later in life.


Many people also argue that Asians have been eating soy for quite some time, and in large amounts, but it doesn't seem to have the adverse health affects on them. Well what if we told you that Asians don't eat as much soy as you think.

That definitely sounds like soy has a bad rap...but let's see what the other side has to say in defense....


Soy is My Bestest Friend
Addressing each individual issue with the resources I've found:

Organic soy, along with an organic diet should be ok because estrogen only causes cancer when there is also a presence of free radicals (toxins) in the system. Organic soy phytoestrogens can also actually help prevent certain types of cancer.


Many common vegetables contain goitrogens. The best thing to do is to balance your diet by eating foods high in iodine to counter the goitrogens.

Phytic acid has been shown to possibly help prevent different types of cancer, osteoporosis, and Parkinson's.


Now that doesn't sound too bad, does it?

Conclusions
Ultimately, you will need to come to your own conclusions about soy and how it fits into your family's diet.

I personally learned a lot about soy by writing this article and doing the in-depth research I never made the time to do before. My family used to drink soy milk on a regular basis. Then I found out about the adverse health effects and we switched to almond milk and a lactose-free cow's milk. Writing this article made me rely on more than a rumor to substantiate the health issues involved with soy.

So where do I stand now? I think organic soy in moderation is probably the best way to go. Research renders it an undeniable fact (in my mind, at least), that larger amounts of soy in a non-organic diet does increase the risk of various cancers. I personally would not base my diet on tofu, soy milk, soy proteins, etc. But I think my family will return to drinking soy milk (which I happen to find incredibly delicious...especially chocolate soy milk...mmm) so long as it is organic.

Quick Cloth Diapering Beginner's Guide

Note from the author: This is a quick beginner's guide to most of the major decisions that you would need to make about cloth diapering. This article is a bit lengthy and you may want to print it out so you can circle, scribble, and highlight anything of particular interest to you. To print out just this article and no others, click on the title of this article to bring it up in it's own window. You can print from there.

When most people picture cloth diapering, they envision scrap-like cloth wrapped around a baby's bottom and covered with a plastic cover. Hopefully the baby won't pee while you're holding them....

Today, cloth diapering has taken on a completely new look and has a wide variety of choices to fit various different lifestyles. I can honestly say, as someone who has tried to do the research for herself, the world of cloth diapering can be very intimidating and confusing when entering it alone. So I will be striving to give a short explanation of what the different varieties are, the pros and cons of cloth diapering, and what some experienced cloth diapering moms have to say.

Why cloth diapers?

More and more ladies are making the move to cloth diapering. Why on earth would they do that? Disposables have become a trademark of modern parenting. When I asked a few CDing (cloth diapering) moms, here's what they had to say:

Economical

We've all heard that diapers are expensive. Many people do not realize just how expensive they really are and how inexpensive they CAN be!

This website details the cost of using disposable diapers versus cloth diapers over the first 30 months of a child's life (2 years, 6 months). They used Huggies Supreme as the baseline for the disposable diaper's cost and prefolds and wraps with some accessories for the cloth diapering baseline cost. The bottom line?

Disposable diapers and wipes cost about $2,530 for the first 30 months for each child.

Cloth diapers and cloth wipes cost as little as $778.05 for the first 30 months. These cloth diapers can also be reused from child to child, so it would not necessarily be a recurring cost. The CD cost also includes the energy usage from washing and drying the diapers and the detergent cost.

You can also use this website to find out what the cost difference would be for you if you were to choose a different type of diaper (instead of the prefolds).

And a final note on the economical advantages: If you keep your diapers in good condition, you can resell them when you're done and recoup some of the cost.

Just like that, a family with two children can save over $4,000 in child-rearing costs.

Environmental

There has been a great deal of debate among cloth diaper and disposable diaper proponents as to which diapers are actually more environmentally friendly. Here is the meat of both arguments:

Disposable diaper proponents argue that cloth diapers damage the environment by using energy and water resources to continuously wash and dry the diapers. Resources are also used in producing the diapers, though in the long run, it is less because fewer diapers need to be produced since they are reusable.

Cloth diaper proponents argue that disposables use water and electricity to be produced, plus the mass amounts of wood used as diaper fillers and thus uses more resources over and over again. They also argue that water is a renewable or 'cleanable' resource, since it can be sanitized, filtered, and used again, as is currently done with waste water treatment plants and thus should not be considered in the final damage done to the environment. The final argument is that no disposable diaper is biodegradable in a landfill, even if it is marketed as a 'biodegradable diaper'. Therefore thousands upon thousands of disposable diapers will remain in landfills and produce methane, a toxic gas.

Here are some studies done on the environmental effects of cloth and disposable diapers:

Women's Environmental Network: A Case Study In Waste Prevention, April 2003 (This is a PDF file).

Health

Diaper rash is a very common childhood ailment. It seems virtually unavoidable. But studies have shown that using cloth diapers can reduce the instances of diaper rash for most children (The British Journal of General Practice, August 1997). Many children fare better when in an all-natural cloth diaper, as opposed to a disposable diaper. Some cloth diapers are still harsh enough to cause a bad reaction (some children have reactions to micro-fleece liners, etc), but substances like organic cotton have shown to be mild enough for almost every child in cloth diapers (though I'm sure that there are children that are allergic to cotton that could not use these).

There are other health issues some parents are concerned about. Some studies indicate that disposable diapers can potentially affect the child's future fertility (Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, 2000). Other studies indicate that the mixture of chemicals used in disposables can affect a child's respiratory tract (Anderson Laboratories, Inc, 1999).

For a more extensive overview of environment, health, and economic reasons for cloth diapering, check out The Real Diaper Association's website.

What are the different types of cloth diapers?

There are four major types of cloth diapers. Prefolds or flats, fitteds, pockets, and AIO (All-In-Ones). These go by many descriptions and alternative names and we will try to cover as much as we can in a concise manner. You will need between 24 - 36 diapers and should plan on doing laundry once every 2 - 3 days. Here we go!

Prefolds/Flats

AKA: Chinese prefolds, Indian prefolds, flats, prefolds

What you need to know: You will also need a waterproof wrap or cover and either pins or snappis.

Advantages: These are the most inexpensive form of cloth diapers. They also dry very quickly. These are probably the best option if you plan on line drying your diapers. They can also be used as burp rags, extra inserts, doublers, or liners. Very versatile.

Disadvantages: You may need to learn how to fold or tie these. If your child goes to daycare, you will probably have to supply them with a more daycare-friendly diaper like a pocket or AIO.

Cost: Prefolds start at as little as $1 per diaper depending on the size and type. Usually sold in sets of 12.

Flats are a single layer of diaper that you will need to fold a few times into a triangular shape before putting on a baby.

Prefold diapers already have layers built into them and thus do not need as much folding.

Picture Example:
This is an example of prefold diapers. This image was taken from http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com./ This is a picture of Cloth-eez prefolds. The example on the right of the picture is of a prefold before it has been 'pre-washed' (part of the process of how you prepare prefolds to be used). The example on the left is what a prefold looks like when it is been prepped and ready to use (you only need to 'prep' them once). Flats would be similar to the example on the right but larger.

Fitteds/Contours
AKA: Contours/Fitteds

What you need to know: You will also need a waterproof wrap or cover. You do not have to have pins or snappis.

Advantages: No pins or snappis needed. They are also convenient for line drying.

Disadvantages: These can get pricey. See cost below. Add into that the cost for wraps. But they are still less costly than disposable diapers over time.

Cost: Between about $11 to $23 per diaper for fitteds, $8 - $12 for contours (cost average taken from http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/)

Contours are like prefolds but shaped like a diaper. There are no fasteners. You simply put down the diaper, put the baby on it just like any disposable diaper, fold up the bottom portion between the legs, and either use pins/snappis, or just put a cover over top.

Fitteds are much like disposables in that you fold it up the same and then fasten it in place with velcro (applix) or sewn on snaps.

Picture Example:

This is an example of a Bum Genius bamboo fitted diaper. This is a popular choice for fitted diapers. You put this on just like a disposable diaper but would also put a cover over top.

Pockets

AKA: AI2 (All-In-Two's)

What you need to know: When you purchase a pocket diaper, it should come with the main diaper, an insert, and possibly a doubler.

Advantages: You can use one or two inserts to make the diaper as absorbable as necessary. Some babies will go more during the night and require the extra padding. These dry faster than AIO because they are in separate parts. These are good to use when leaving your child at daycare, with a babysitter, or a church nursery because you can leave the inserts in and it will be easy for the caregivers to change the diaper.

Disadvantages: Cost. Also, these are more time consuming to line dry.

Cost: Between about $18 - $26 (cost average taken from http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/)

Picture Example:
This first picture is an example of a Bum Genius pocket diaper insert. This is what you put into the diaper to absorb the fluid.

This second picture is an example of a Bum Genius fitted diaper. In the back of the diaper, there is a pocket that you can put the insert into.

AIO

AKA: All-in-ones, AIO

What you need to know: This is a one-stop-shop. You buy this, and no other parts are needed to make it complete.

Advantages: This is the simplest cloth diaper to use. No folding, pinning, or stuffing required. This would also be good to leave with a caregiver and requires very little explanation of how to use it.

Disadvantages: These diapers take the longest to dry because it is all in one piece. They are also very costly.

Cost: Between about $16 - $26 (cost average taken from http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/)

Picture example: This is a picture of a Bum Genius AIO diaper with snaps. It works just the same as a disposable diaper but it has snaps and you wash it instead of throwing it out. This is also a particularly popular model.

Where can I buy them?
Recommended stores:

• Etsy - This website is for various vendors to sell their items. The link I've provided is specifically for handmade cloth diapers. Most vendors on here will be ladies handmaking these to help support their families.
• Green Mountain Diapers - This website is run by a Christian woman. She even presents the gospel on her site. The quality of products sold here and the customer service of this site has received positive feedback time and time again. It continually comes back as a number one favorite.
• Cotton Babies - This is also a Christian site. They actually provide diaper grants for missionaries to provide free cloth diapers to those spreading the gospel in other countries. I've also heard lots of good things about this site.

Keep checking back, as this section will be continuously updated with the best known online cloth diaper stores.

Accessories and Extras?
Yes! There are accessories! Be cautioned, as we all know how much women like accessories and options! Ha ha. Some of these accessories are necessities but most are optional.

Wraps/Covers - necessity for prefolds/flats or fitteds/contours

You will need a total of about 4 - 6 wraps or covers total. These come in various colors and sizes. They also have one-size covers that can fit a baby from about 8 pounds up until potty-training. They can range from about $15 up to $40 or more depending on the type you get.

Snappis and Pins - necessity for prefolds/flats, optional for contours, not needed for fitteds

You will either need to purchase snappis or pins. You will not have to have both, but it is suggested to try both to see what you are most comfortable with. Here is an illustration of a snappi in action. It's the best way to understand what it is. These run just a few dollars for a pack of them and you only need 3 - 5.

Cloth Wipes - a necessity unless you plan on buying disposable wipes

You can make these on your own or you can purchase them for a dollar or so a wipe. They come in a variety of sizes and fabrics such as cotton, flannel, or bamboo. Plan for those diaper changes where you'll need almost a handful and buy 30 - 40 wipes.

Wet or Dry Bag, Wet or Dry Pail - a necessity, but don't feel the need to buy it from a cloth diaper store

You will hear the words wet bag, dry bag, wet pail, and dry pail used interchangeably.

Basically, the bag is a bag that you can put soiled diapers into when you are out and about, or you can leave with a daycare to put the soiled diaper into. It is a waterproof bag. If you buy it from a cloth diaper store, you can spend $10 - $30 easily. Alternatively, you can use a big zip-loc bag.

The pail, similarly, is the pail that you put the dirty diapers into. Essentially, a trash can with a reusable liner. Many of the liners are made so you can put them in the wash with the diapers easily. Some of the pails sold in the online stores have nifty extras like carbon filters to keep the odor level to a minimum. On a budget? You can buy a kitchen trash can from the Dollar Store and use regular trash bags until you can get a liner. Be prepared to use one trash bag every 2 - 3 days though unless you plan on rinsing it out when you do laundry.

Diaper Sprayer - not a necessity, but definitely a big help

These nifty little contraptions cost about $40 - $50 a piece and hook up directly to your toilet. They can come with an automatic shut-off switch so if a little one grabs it and squeezes the trigger, it won't spray.

These are used to spray some of the debris off the diaper into the toilet to prep for laundry.

See a picture here. Or, to save some money, build your own!

Options Galore!
Most cloth diapers share similar options. This is a quick review of what the options are when purchasing, and what their advantages/disadvantages may be.

Waterproofing Options
PUL (Polyurethane laminated) fabric - This is a compound that people coat a fabric with to make it waterproof. It is considered by some to be toxic, but many cloth diaper companies put the PUL layer in the middle of the diaper so it never touches your baby's skin.

Wool - Yes, wool will keep your baby from soaking you or anyone or anything else. It is also breathable and can be worn on hot summer days and still keep the baby cooler than they would be in disposables. Not to mention wool is naturally anti-bacterial! Check out The Diaper Hyena for more information about wool.

Snaps vs. Applix (velcro)
For fitteds, pockets, and AIO's, you typically have the option of having either applix or snaps to close the diaper with.

Snaps - The good thing about snaps is that they will last a very long time and not wear out. The bad thing about snaps is that you will have to snap every little snap with a potentially squirmy baby underneath!

Applix - The positive side about applix is that it's very easy to attach, much like a disposable diaper. You just have to hold that squirmy baby down for 5 seconds while you fasten the two tabs. The down side? Applix wears out and will need replaced at some point. It will most likely not last through more than one child, and some don't even make it that long! Also, once baby gets a firm grip and a little strength, they'll be able to pull applix diapers right off!

Materials for the diaper
Diapers and inserts can be made from a myriad of materials. Cotton, flannel, microfleece, polyester, hemp, bamboo, and the list goes on and on.

Cotton, flannel, hemp, and bamboo are considered the least irritating and breathable fabrics. Polyester, microfleece, and other synthetic fabrics tend to be a bit harsher. Also, some moms find that microfleece diapers tend to build up a stench sometimes that can be difficult to get rid of.

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That, in a very large nutshell, is the basics of cloth diapering.

Take a deep breath now. Exhale.

It's a lot to take in and think about. The first step to switching to cloth is deciding what your budget would be. Then go back to the beginning and pick your options, one by one. Use the calculator provided in the section about 'Economical' reasons for cloth diapering to help you figure out what you can afford. You can do it! Look for support groups in your area or on parenting websites if you need help. Pray for wisdom in the matter and absolutely make sure you talk to your hubby about it.

Later, we will be following up with cloth diapering success stories, information on different and suggested methods on washing the diapers, how to remove stains, and more.

Natural Birth Control And Fertility Monitoring

Warning: Men may want to steer clear of this article. I'm posting this for women who are sincerely interested in finding an alternative to hormonal and barrier methods of birth control or want to get pregnant but do not fully understand their cycles. God meant for sex to be enjoyable between a husband and wife. Worry about unintended pregnancy or stress over trying to get pregnant and fertility should not inhibit a married couple's joy. I will briefly describe the method and provide more resources for more in-depth information.

To start learning about natural family planning (NFP) or the fertility awareness method (FAM), you must have an understanding of the basics of a female menstrual cycle.

Let us start by assuming a woman has a 30 day cycle. There are two parts of this cycle. The first is called the follicular phase (FP). The second phase is called the luteal phase (LP). The FP can vary in length. It can be 5 days, it can be 40 days. There is no set length to the first phase. The second phase is typically 10 - 16 days long and does not vary much from cycle to cycle for each individual woman. Your LP may typically be 11 days. Your friend may typically have a 15 day LP. Ovulation is what separates the two phases.

So a woman with a 30 day cycle will ovulate between cycle day (CD) 14 and cycle day 20. By monitoring your Basil Body Temperature, you can find out how long your LP typically is and confirm when you ovulate. You can monitor your cervical fluid and cervical position to know when you are in the most fertile stage of your cycle.


Basil Body Temperature (BBT):
In the FP, BBT is lower. It will rise the day after ovulation and remain higher until a woman's period begins. At this point, it will drop back down and start all over again.
The only difference between a Basil Body Thermometer and a regular thermometer is that a BBT is more precise. Your typical thermometer may read 98.6 but a BBT would read 98.63. You can find a BBT in any drug store next to the regular thermometers.

Cervical Fluid (CF):
A woman's CF will become very watery or like raw egg whites right before she ovulates. This helps her conceive, so her body naturally prepares for the release of the egg.

Cervical Position (CP):
A woman's cervix will rise very high, become soft, and open up when she is fertile. It is possible for her to check her CP herself. The cervix will drop to a low firm position right before the period begins.


Trying to Conceive:

Having sex as close to the day you ovulate as possible is the best way to get pregnant. If you can have sex the three days before you ovulate and the day you DO ovulate, that will give you the greatest chances of success.

Trying to Avoid:

Either avoid sex while you are in your fertile period, which is the 5 days preceding ovulation, or use a different method of birth control during that time (condoms, etc).

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I recommend using Fertility Friend software to chart your cycles. This is very helpful and explains what is happening to your body at different points in your cycle. It is free software. The first 30 days are free on a VIP pass, which has more features. The free version following that is still suitable to help you chart, and definitely easier than the using paper and pencil.

I also recommend reading the book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which is a complete guide to using the Fertility Awareness Method, including blank charts in the back you can copy if you would need to use the paper and pencil method. It explains how to chart when you are trying to conceive, trying to avoid, post-partum, while breastfeeding, and pre-menopausal! It is very thorough and a very easy read!

Article: Homebirth As Safe If Not Safer Than Hospital Birth According to New Studies

Taken from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-09-03-midwife-home-birth_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay
Having your baby at home with a registered midwife is just as safe as a conventional hospital birth, a new study says.
In fact, planned home births of this kind may have a lower rate of complications, according to the study published in the Sept. 15 issue of CMAJ.
Even though the study was conducted in Canada, where attitudes toward midwifery are more accepting than in some other countries, the findings may help to calm an ongoing controversy in the United States and elsewhere.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is opposed to home births, as are certain organizations in Australia and New Zealand. More organizations in Great Britain are supportive and Canadian provinces are currently transitioning to midwifery, said study lead author Patricia Janssen, director of the Master of Public Health Program at the University of British Columbia.
Janssen, a registered nurse who has midwife training though not certification, said: "People who function as independent midwives are not necessarily tightly regulated [in the U.S.] depending on which state you're in, so there may not be a guarantee that they have had an adequate level of training or a certified diploma or anything like that. And they may not be monitored and regulated by a particular professional college."
The controversy has resulted in a lack of clear regulation and licensing requirements in the United States, said Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.
According to Greenfield, the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives does have a certification process but many states don't recognize it. "If you're a woman who wants to have a home birth, how do you determine if this person has appropriate qualifications?" she said.
The authors of the new study compared three different groups of planned births in British Columbia from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2004: home births attended by registered midwives (midwives are registered in Canada), hospital births attended by the same group of registered midwives, and hospital births attended by physicians. In all, the study included almost 13,000 births.
The mortality rate per 1,000 births was 0.35 in the home birth group, 0.57 in hospital births attended by midwives, and 0.64 among those attended by physicians, according to the study.
Women who gave birth at home were less likely to need interventions or to have problems such as vaginal tearing or hemorrhaging. These babies were also less likely to need oxygen therapy or resuscitation, the study found.
The authors acknowledge that "self-selection" could have skewed the study results, in that women who prefer home deliveries tend to be healthier and otherwise more fit to have a home birth.
Janssen said she hoped "this article will have a major impact in the U.S." But there is a definite "establishment" bias against home births. And the issue is an emotionally charged one, she said.
"There is a political and economic issue about controlling where birth happens, but also a deep belief by physicians that it's not safe to have your baby at home," Greenfield said. "Doctors see every home-birth patient who had a complication, but we don't see the ones that have these beautiful, fabulous babies at home who may breast-feed better or have less hospital-acquired infections. There may be medical benefits," she added.
"Midwifery needs to be regulated. It can't be under the radar because then it's dangerous," Greenfield said. "There has to be a regulatory process and a licensure process [to protect] women who are going to choose home birth anyway."
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emphasis added

C-Sections

The current c-section rate in America is 31.1% as of 2006. Nearly 1 in every 3 births in the United States is via c-section.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), rates between 5% and 10% are best for mother and baby. Any nation above 15% has been deemed to do more harm than good (Althabe and Belizan 2006).

C-section rates have been on the rise for the 11th year in a row in the US.

Reasons for c-section are as follows:

1. 35% are repeat c-sections. Many of these do not need to be repeats though and could qualify for VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Check out ICAN to find out about a VBAC!


2. 30% of c-sections are due to dystocia, or stalled labor due to abnormalities. Statistically, this means 1 in 10 births result in c-section because the mother is just unable to deliver the baby. This happens either because the baby is in a bad position (not necessarily breech), the mother's pelvic cavity is 'inadequate' or the contractions slow and/or stop (a possible side-effect of an epidural).


3. 12% of c-sections are performed because the baby is breech (studies show it is safer for a mother to deliver a breech baby vaginally rather than surgically).


4. 9% of c-sections are due to fetal distress. This is often brought on by the use of pitocin.


5. The remainder are due to a myriad of causes including muliples, cord prolapse, etc.

For information on breech presentation/deliver, click here. Also, here are some tips on turning the baby around.

It should be somewhat disturbing that the c-section rate is so high in the United States. It is uncalled for and women should be questioning why.

Here are some tips on how you can avoid an unnecessary c-section:

• Labor at home for a while, if possible. If you know you typically deliver your babies very quickly, you probably shouldn't wait. But if your a first time mom or you typically have lengthy deliveries, you can try the 5-1-1 method. Wait until your contractions are 5 minutes apart, last for at least 1 minute, and it continues that way for 1 hour.


• If possible, labor without the use of any drugs. Most drugs used in labor have been shown to increase the risk of a c-section. There are many other forms of pain management, such as Hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies, Birthing Tubs, massage, etc. You can also decrease pain by changing positions.


• Find a doctor of midwife that is NCB (Natural Childbirth) friendly.


• Get up and move around a little during labor. Again, this can help decrease discomfort and can help get things moving a little.


• Don't let the doctor break your water. Once your water breaks, you typically have a set time limit before they'll want you to get a c-section. Let your body break your water when necessary. Some babies are born in the sac without the water broken and this is completely normal! Having your water broken also unnecessarily opens your body and baby up to the possibility of infection.


• Hire a doula. Many studies show that a doula can greatly decrease the number of complications and interventions in labor and delivery. The use of a doula also decreases the frequency of requests for pain medication because the doula is there to support and encourage the mother in labor. They are there to speak for you when you cannot. They are there to comfort you.
• Write a bith plan that indicates your wishes and review it with your doctor before you go into labor. Make sure your doctor and hospital get a copy and have it on hand when you go into labor.

But above all, remember that emergencies DO happen. You can do your everything perfectly and to the "T" and a c-section may be unavoidable. We should be thankful that this intervention is available for emergencies, and pray for the wisdom of the midwife or doctor, that they would be able to discern if it should be used.

Click here to locate a doula near you. (see search box on left hand side).

Plastics, Toxins, and BPA

What is BPA?

BPA (Bisphenol A), is a compound that is used to solidify some plastics and make them more stable and durable.



So why are we talking about it?

BPA can be leached, particularly when heated. If the plastic is a milk jug, baby bottle, or any other container that is holding food, it would be likely that the BPA is leaching directly into the food people are consuming.



How do I know if my container contains BPA?

Look for a symbol on the plastic. It will be a triangle made out of arrows (the recycle symbol) and it will have a number in the middle of it (see picture to left for example).

Types 3 and 7 plastics are known to possibly leach BPA.


Why do they still sell foods in these containers if it is so dangerous?
Many countries have banned or are in the process of banning this substance from baby bottles and the like (see this Wikipedia article). It has been suspected to be hazardous to humans since the 1930's.

The Lang Study (published September of 2008) found evidence that exposure to BPA is strongly associated with heart disease and diabetes.

Can I just buy stuff not in plastic types 3 and 7?
Yes, if your aim is to stay away from BPA. However, you should be aware of the issues with the following plastic types:

Type 1: With repeated use, studies show that plastic type 1 can leach DEHP, which is a probable human carcinogen.
Type 6: Can leach styrene, which has been dubbed by the EPA as a 'suspected carcinogen'.

So what's safe?
Types 2, 4, and 5 plastics are considered safe for food and drink storage. But if there's any doubt, you can always use glass.

Common items in these containers:

Item /// Plastic Type
Milk Jug /// 1 or 2
Water Bottle /// 1
Soda Bottle /// 1
Baby Bottle /// 7
Tupperware /// These vary. Check your tupperware.
Individual Applesause Servings /// 7

Organic

What does organic mean?

If you purchase an organic product, you can rest assured that it does not contain more than 5% (by US regulations), or was not produced with, any of the following:

• Antibiotics
• Artificial Additives
• Artificial Preservatives
• Artificial Sweeteners (Splenda, Aspartame, Nutrasweet)
• Bio-Solid Fertilizers (recycled sewage sludge)
• Chemical Fertilizers
• Chemical Herbicides
• Chemical Pesticides
• Chemical Ripening
• Cloning
• Genetic Modifications
• Hormone Injections
• Irradiation (the practice of exposing food to radiation for the purpose to sterilization)
• Steroids

Organic foods are produced using natural methods. They do use fertilizers and pesticides, but they are naturally produced and not chemically based.

There is no known nutritional value difference between organic and non-organic foods. The main purpose of consuming organic foods is to avoid the potential ill-effects from that can come from non-organic foods.

Even though a product is marked organic, it may still contain or be produced with/in:

• Containers that may leach BPA
• Gluten
• Aerosol

Just because a food is marked organic does not mean it is healthy. It only means it will lack the additives and methods of production listed above.

Welcome!

Hello everyone! I am the 'Crunchy Christian' or CC, if you would.

I believe our first priority is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, make no mistake about that.

This website is to share what I have learned about how I can be a good steward of what God has blessed me with. This includes my home, my family, my dog, and my body. I will be striving to be as informative as possible.

The goal I've set before me in my life is to be a true Proverbs Woman. I want to carry this out in every aspect of my life. This website will address this in a practical way.

Proverbs 31:10-31

:10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
Note: The author is speaking of SEARCHING for an excellent wife. She is this way BEFORE marriage. These virtues are not just for married ladies to pursue, but also single lades.
:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
:12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
:13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
Note: She does not mind having to do this work herself. She doesn't complain about her work.
:14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
Note: She travels to get the food needed for her family. She does not necessarily settle for what's closest or most convenient.
:15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens
Note: She gets up before the rest of the household to see that they are provided for. This is an area I admit that I struggle with greatly!!
:16 She considers a field and buys it'
From her earnings she plans a vineyard.
Note: She completes business transactions for the purpose of income and provision for her family. She is capable of doing this on her own or resourceful enough to know who can help her complete a wise transaction.
:17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong
Note: She is physically fit. She is strong, not only in character, but also capable of physical labor.
:18 She senses that her gain is good
Her lamp does not go out at night.
:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
Note: She could have a tailor or other professionals do these things, but she is capable of doing them and does them herself for the welfare of her family.
:20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
Note: She is giving and loving. But in the context of this scripture, she does these things without causing any issues for her own family such as finances, etc.
:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Note: She knows snow is coming and plans ahead. She sees to it that her family is prepared for what will come.
:22 She makes coverings for herself'
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Note: She takes care of herself and dresses attractively. Attractively does not need to mean scantily. Clean, pressed, and flattering clothing are her aim. If we look at the context of the rest of the Bible, we see that she would do this to please her husband, not herself, other men, or for the purpose of 'fitting in'.
:23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
Note: She does not gossip about him. If she did, everyone would more than likely know she was complaining about him behind his back. She represents him well and honors him by what she does.
:24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Note: She has ability and skill to generate income. These skills are also useable in her own home.
:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future,
Note: Again shows her good character. She does not fear the future because she is prepared and it is ultimately in God's hands.
:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tounge.
Note: She does not speak ill of people and speaks wisely.
:27 She looks well to the ways of her household'
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Note: She takes care of her family and is not lazy.
:28 Her children rise up and bless her'
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
:29 "Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
Note: Her family is not bitter toward her. They find her worthy of praise. Her husband does not complain about her.
:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
:31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

Pitocin

Pitocin (pit-oh-sin) is a drug administered via IV or injection. It is typically given to a pregnant woman for one of two reasons: 1. Her labor has 'stalled' and she is no longer progressing, 2. She is being induced because labor has not yet started on its own.



Pitocin is a man-made form of the hormone oxytocin. Its purpose is to cause the uterus to contract, dialate a woman's cervix, and ultimately cause birth. It is also used if a woman begins hemorrhaging after giving birth to stop the bleeding.



If pitocin is delivered to a pregnant woman in dosages that deliver contractions stronger or more frequent than what the unborn baby is able to handle, the baby may go into a state of fetal distress (irregular fetal heartbeat). Fetal distress accounts for 9% of all c-sections in the United States.

The following quote is taken from an article published by Massage Today. The Truth About Pitocin, by Elaine Stillerman, LMT, March 2006:

"Pitocin was first synthesized in 1953, and became available for use two years later. By 1974, it was an established medical fact that its failure rate was 40% to 50%. In 1978, an FDA advisory committee removed its approval of pitocin for the elective induction of labor. Interestingly, the drug never was approved by the FDA for use in augmenting labor."