Green For the Bean & Toxic Free for P: February 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Dear Parents and Friends,

My name is Dana Stockbridge and I am a mother to two boys; Parker age 7 and Cohen age 3. Parker has always struggled with what we call “changing channels”. He was always thought to be just your “average overactive BOY”, as the doctors put it. I noticed at about age 3 he was a bit different than the other children, but only slightly. He has trouble focusing, sitting still and being over stimulated, loud and overly silly. What I guess they now label ADHD. Those letters scared me and secretly still do, but with a change in our lifestyle and diet we have learned to work past his obstacles and treat each issue accordingly. Maybe my story is similar to yours or far different. What I have found is healthy living and in doing that you might feel you sleep, eat, and function better.
In my search as a parent to become more aware of the toxicity level in myself and my children I found some tips helpful and would like to share them with you. First I will start with the places I choose to shop. Many things can now be found in you local grocery store, but Traders is my favorite...

#1 SECRET and this is for parents and children alike
Epsom-salt baths 2 to 3 times weekly
This helps with pulling toxins from your body as well as relaxes your joints and muscles
(can be found at Costco and most drug stores)

Trader Joes has great prices and natural alternatives to feed your family and there are three locations in Long Beach
2222 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach - (562) 596-2514
4121 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach - (562) 988-0695
6451 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach - (562) 596-4388

Whole Foods is another option, although it is a bit more expensive, I utilize it for specific food allergies and as more of a vitamin resource.
6550 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach

Vitamin City is my don’t wanna drive all the way to Whole Foods backup
6247 E Spring St Long Beach

The the small bits of research I have done have opened my mind to SO many different ways to lesson the levels of the unnecessary toxins in our environment. Wether it be cleaning products, natural foods, or chemical free plastics. There are so many things legally allowed into our food, water and living agents that ARE harmful to our children and ourselves. Here are some interesting and helpful blogs and also little gems I have found on my toxic free adventure.

This is the diet we used to detox our family and the web site has been a VERY valuable place for gathering information and connecting with other parents.
http://www.feingold.org/

This is the city of Long Beach Eco Friendly web Page
It gives times and locations for the Farmers Markets and other helpful links (look to the right of the page).
http://www.longbeach.gov/citymanager/citys_sustainability_programs/default.asp

This is a FUN blog. I visit it often for tidbits of information here and there. She has a great reference for BPA free plastic kids cups and the facts about chemical plastics. Fun finds from her just keep clicking.
http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/

This web site is a great source for all things recycled. I found things on this web site are a bit on the expensive side, but will LAST. I am purchasing the Laptop Lunch Box System from this site. No more plastic zip-locks and juice boxes.
http://www.reusablebags.com/

I am a huge Nana’s Cookies fan. My son is allergic to all things dairy, so it creates a bit of an issue when it comes to baked goods. These cookies are delicious and natural. They can be found at Whole Foods and Vitamin City (check on Mondays for new shipment) if you don’t want to buy on line.
http://www.healthycrowd.com/

With living additive free, special holidays or even a trip to the move theater cause an issue when it comes to safe candy. In our home it is unrealistic to think we will be sugar free, so I was told about this awesome online candy store and have been shopping there since Halloween. Yes, I had an additive free Halloween and the kids did not care just as long as there was a special treat at the end. Just cause it doesn’t say M&M’s doesn’t mean it don’t taste like M&M’s. Enjoy! Plus Traders sells additive free suckers and gummy bears YAY!
www.naturalcandystore.com or http://www.purefun.ca/

I use Seventh Generation cleaning products and they can be found at Target. Contrary to popular belief they are pretty close in price to regular chemically based cleaning products. I also find suitable soaps at Traders, Shikai shower gel (found at Traders) has worked for my kids with no reaction.
If you have the money to spend up front you can save money over time with a condensed natural product; there is one called Melaleuca. My sister is a proud user of these products and she is also living chemical free to help her son who has Autism.
http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm

Good luck! Have fun and don’t be scared to take the first step in making your home and family as healthy as they can be (baby steps). Please don’t hesitate to use me for support. I don’t know it all, but I am more than happy to help you find the answers.
mommiesboys@charter.net

Peanut Butter Carob Balls
1/2 cup Carob Powder
1/2 cup Honey
1/2 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Raw Sunflower Seeds
1/2 cup Sesame Seeds
1/2 cup Oats
1/2 cup Flax Seed Meal

Mix ingredients by hand. Form them into bite size balls and roll them in shredded coconut.

*Please note that some of the views and statements provided on some of the web sites are not supported by myself. Take what you need and leave the rest.

My pity party is OVER! I am dedicated to researching my options with my amazing son. So today is a new fresh day. I dropped Cohen off at pre school and found a cozy spot at Barnes and Noble with a Latte in hand to begin my torrid love affair with a brilliant man named Mac and his close friend Web. I am finding a support group, looking into vitamin supplements and even contacting my pediatrician to finally have Parker tested. I already know he is adhd the test will only make it real on paper and allow me to utilize funding needed to help him in the school system and so on. When he was five his pediatrician was reluctant to test so early (they usually test at age six) and suggested we see a behavioral therapist, who told us after spending exactly one hour with my son, that he had as-burgers syndrome and needed medication. We also saw a tutor when he was in Pre-K because he had such a hard time retaining information. She also told me he was adhd and needed “relaxation pills” as she put it. Why is that the first reaction? PILLS, I mean, why does no one say “Wow, Mom how are you. How are you holding up? Lets discuss why you think he is behaving this way. How about allergy testing?” Why does NO ONE look at what is already in the child as opposed to adding MORE stimuli? That is when I jumped ship on western medicine. After the research I found I was FREAKED out to hear words like medication or special education. Now like a person coming to terms with a death in the family I am confessing I need help and I trust myself enough to collect all the information needed to make an educated decision when it comes to Parker’s well being. I don’t side with any one way when it comes to Adhd western or eastern medicine I need to find what works for Parker so he can move through the fog.
He was wonderful this morning. It’s like he knew I needed it. He noticed it too, but blames it on the fact that we are dog sitting (it’s leverage for getting a dog of his own). He dressed himself, brushed his teeth, made his bed and even kissed his brother all in a 20 minute span. Guess what I did ... cried and hugged him ... tight. What a GREAT day!

Things I like about today?

Easy Mornings
School drop off with Lunch Bunch (Coco stays till 1:15)
Quiet time to think and write
Crazy LA gangsters with neck and face tattoos at Walmart changing my battery and calling me Mrs. Stockbridge. What great service and I felt so safe!

I guess the most honest way to say it is ... sometimes I dislike being with my child. Is that too honest? He is overly talkative almost to the point of disregarding anyone else might even be in the room with him, he is loud and I mean with noises and speech. Shooting sounds and just strange repetitive noises and when I say repetitive I mean I will say “Parker, that is enough” and it is as if I am whispering. This will happen 3 or 4 times until I am raising my voice “THAT IS ENOUGH!” and only then do I get a, “huh?” It makes me have little to no patience as if I can’t even hear myself think. Parker has a hard time keeping on track. Multiple choices confuse him or consecutive directions are almost to much to handle. I always thought myself to be a rather patient person, with my children that is, but in the last 3 or so years I have turned into the least patient person I know. I feel trapped and alone and angry with myself for not knowing how to correct and fix this problem with my child. To make it even worse sometimes he is fine. Perfectly normal, pleasant, sweet and charming. His heart is filled with kindness from here to eternity, he is amazingly brave and charismatic. He can steal a scene and make you laugh at the drop of a goofy hello. On a bad day? I don’t recognize him, I feel frustrated, humiliated, scared, helpless and hopeless.
MY CHILD IS CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE he has adhd and is MINE!
I would like to say that with this additive/toxin free diet life is roses and all is solved, but that is NOT the case. Although it has cleaned him up and I have noticed a dramatic difference in Parkers demeanor I am now facing new issues with my son. I can’t put my finger on what or why, but I am at a stand still. He recently started this self hatred stuff. Even the smallest things will send him into great turmoil and he will say things like “I can NEVER do anything right...I hate myself” or “I am so stupid” and hits himself in the head with a closed fist. With his adhd we never had aggression in our spectrum and now it is starting. I am scared because at age 7 he is getting big. Do I have teen years coming my way with physical aggression like punching holes in walls that I need to be weary of? Should I have him talk to someone? Is this normal? I am a alternative to anger Mom and like to talk to my children and get to the root of the behavior, but even he does not know what the cause is. He tells me he wants to stop he is just so angry. I know he is sensitive child emotionally and he is having a bit of an issue with a child at school. This friend likes to tattle on Parker for not keeping on track, but as the Teacher explains it he almost preys on Parker waiting for parker to do something, so he can tattle. I know this child well and he is NOT a bully and his parents are good people and good parents. Parker is just so sensitive and DOES NOT like getting in trouble. So much so he hides under his desk at school and fears going now. He comes home in tears at least 2 to 3 days a week and has begun the aggressive behavior. I AM TIRED and resort to tears 9 times out of 10. I am just wishing today I could have the “normal” child. Although I am madly in love with him I am just wanting a Mommy free be me day.

What am I sick of today?
Being responsible
Googling behavior problems
Cleaning up pee on the bathroom floor
Fixing the dishes when my husband puts them in the dishwasher the wrong way
Reading Putt Putt Little Red for the trillionth time
and broken cars

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

call me a Hippie, but I ain't puttin that crap in me

This is the Seventh Generation products I use and they can be found at Target. PS that hand soap smells REALLY gross DON'T BUY IT!

This is the yummy goodness we came home with from a Sunday at the Farmer's Market YAY!

Although the grapes and strawberries are not for my Fiengold children

Mommy and Coco

Daddy with the goods

This same man has been at our Farmers Market for EVER. Parker always pulls a dollar from his Incredibles wallet and they chat.

Andy and I are huge Peprochini fans and this booth has non additive ones that are awesome. Plus this is where the kids get the huge Pickles.

Strawberries are here

The boys LOVE honey and i have learned from the honey lady that if you buy local honey it can be helpful to kids with allergies. Something about the local bees gathering pollen from local plants and so on. I buy it, literally.