Happy Holiday Season

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have been too busy. But busy in a good way. Lots of changes going on with my other business that is taking all of my time. I am sorry to all of my mom-stuff friends for the absence of posts .

It is now time for the Christmas Season. This is my favorite time of the year. I love the music, the lights and the overall feeling of goodwill. I wish it could be Christmas all year.

At www.mom-stuff.com we have lots of great Christmas ideas for you. Here are your links for family fun and easy gifts.

Family Fun

Christmas Recipes
Christmas Recipes . . . keep reading

Christmas Games
Are you having a Christmas Party and need some games to play? We have a few ideas for you. . . . keep reading

My Christmas Tradition
Christmas Traditions . . . keep reading

Simple and Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas
Simple and Inexpensive Gift Ideas-These have also been nic named neighbor gifts. . . .keep reading

Christmas Kids Crafts
Snowmen craft, Candy Countdown, Christmas Tree Countdown and Santa’s Beard Countdown are fun crafts for you and your children to enjoy this Christmas. . . . keep reading

Gift Ideas

Christmas FRIEND Gifts #4
Candy Canes, Rudolph’s Nose Repair Kit, Lotion( A Friend) Cookie Cutter and What is Christmas Mug. These are great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, housekeeper, delivery person or anyone you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . . keep reading

12 Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas . . . keep reading

Christmas FRIEND Gifts #3
Large Candy Bar, Grinch Candy Canes, Santa Kisses and Snowman Kisses. These are great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, housekeeper, delivery person or anyone you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . . keep reading

Christmas FRIEND Gifts #2
Snowman Poop, Snownman Soup, and Reindeer Droppings. These are great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, housekeeper, delivery person or anyone you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . .keep reading

Christmas Friend Gifts #1
Christmas FRIEND Gifts Christmas Dish towels, Help with the Mess, Candy Cane Seeds and I Ran Out of Time. These would be great to give out at work, to neighbors, for people you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . . keep reading

It is my wish for all of you to have the best Christmas Season ever with family and friends.

Dianne

Halloween Photo Contest for Moms

Enter your favorite photos of your kids’ Halloween costumes to show off your spooky cutie, and maybe even win a prize.

The top 10 photos with the most votes will get $100 worth of Mamasource credit.

The earlier you join, the more time you have to get votes.  Good luck!

Get all the details at:

http://deals.mamapedia.com/cmp/halloween-photo-contest?fb_login=true

Tags: Halloween-pictures, mamapedia, Photo-contest

Oct. from the Leaves from the Tree of Life

For all of the glory in the branches, the earth has finished her work of production.  We celebrate now with what we already possess; we make cider from the apples we’ve picked and store the squash for the winter.  We have such security in our substance that we will play with our food, carving faces where candles can glow in a pumpkin that will never be eaten.   In consumer psychology, the orange colors of October inspire ideas of warmth and richness, a concept seized upon by advertisers of brandy and other upscale foods. They also physically stimulates the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes for digestion of starches, sugars and fats in addition to insulin.  Fast-food marketers have capitalized on that bit of information, which explains the remarkably homogenous decorating schemes of the major chains.    From candle-glow to decorative orange leaf bags, everything proclaims glory in October.
Excerpt from Leaves from the Tree of Life by Dianne Murray and Kim Welborn. 

Halloween with Mom-Stuff

It is our favorite time of year atwww.mom-stuff.com. We love Halloween. Come and visit and get some fun ideas to make this your best Halloween season. We have everything you need:

How tp Plan a Halloween Family Party
Family is were all the fun begins. Every year our family has an annual Halloween party and we wanted to share with all of you our experiences. This will let you take the ideas and make your own family fun. You can use these ideas and make them your own by adding your families personalities to them. If you do not have extended family around you get together with other moms and plan your Halloween Party together. This is a good way for everyone to make more friends. “Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted.” ~Paul Pearshall . . . keep reading

Fun Family Halloween Games
More Fun Family Halloween Games . . . keep reading

Fun Halloween Recipes
How to make fun Halloween treats for big and small. Everyone will enjoy this creepy food for Halloween Night! . . . keep reading

Skeleton Plates,Cups and Punch Bowl
This Halloween Party was all about Skeletons. Make plates, cups, serving bowls, or even a punch bowl to match. We have your instructions and patterns. . . . keep reading

Halloween Games
Fun Halloween games for team and individual contests. . . . keep reading

Halloween Trick or Treat Bag
Re-Purposed T Shirt into a Halloween Trick or Treat Bag for this years Halloween fun. . . . keep reading

Neighbor Halloween Gifts

Neighbor Halloween Gifts . . . keep reading

Treasure Hunt for Your Halloween Party
To plan your Treasure Hunt get a map of your city or a piece of paper to draw a map. You will want make a trip using these locations in your town: . . . keep reading

Halloween Party Skeleton Invitations
Halloween Skeleton Invitations . . . keep reading

Halloween Party Scrapbook Page
For these pages I wanted to use some pictures from our Halloween Party. I choose some tan textured paper that looked like rocks. I love to make tear animals so I tried a cat and a bat. . . . keep reading

Halloween Kids Crafts
Make our Shrinken Heads, Ghost Lanterns, and Smasked Witches, with your kids this Halloween. They are fun to make and will add to the hounting spirt of the season. . . .keep reading

Tags: crafts, family, Halloween-crafts, Halloween-decorations,Halloween-games, Halloween-party, Halloween-recipes, Recipes

Time for Back to School

It’s time to get those kids ready for school.

Time for Back to School Shopping
Here is your mission if you choose to accept it. GET THE MOST FROM YOUR SCHOOL CLOTHES BUDGET. . . . keep reading

8 Great Tips To Organize Kids’ Rooms
It’s the battle cry of millions of parents: “Clean your room!” As you get ready for back to school it is a great opportunity to organize your child’s bedroom. Seasonal events like birthdays, the holidays or a new school year bring fresh impetus to the drive to get kids organized–and nowhere is the battleground more intense than in the children’s bedrooms. . . . keep reading

Back to School Artwork Books
Our Back to School idea this month is focused on saving all of our kid’s artwork that comes home from school. When my daughter started in an early education program, every week the school would send home her artwork from her lessons. She was so proud of her work that she wanted to keep it. . . . keep reading

Make Your Own Hair Bows
Make Hair bows to match your kids back to school clothes. . . . keep reading

Today's the Longest Day of the Year

Summer Solstice

While Memorial Day is the “unofficial” start of summer, today the season really begins. Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the start of summer in the northern hemisphere is 1:16 p.m. today. According to TimeandDate.com, the date of the “June solstice” varies from June 20 to June 22 depending on the year.The Farmer’s Almanac states that “the word solstice comes from the Latin words for “sun” and “to stop,” due to the fact that the sun appears to stop in the sky.” With the sun high overhead today, this will be the longest day of the year. How do you spend your longer days? More time outside playing with the kids or more hours working?

Tell us about how you will be spending the longest day of the year?

I hope what ever you choose to do today it will be fun.

Head over to mom-stuff.com for some fun ideas for your summer fun.

Fourth of July Ideas are Here at mom-stuff.com

Happy Birthday America
Fourth of July Crafts to celebrate America’s B-Day. Fun to make and even funnier to wear. . . . keep reading

Summer Family Fun
Schools Out!!! Now What??? . . . keep reading

Fancy Flip Flops
Fancy Flip Flops . . . keep reading

Rockin Bobbie Pins
Make your own Rockin Bobbie Pins to match your clothes. All you need are bobbie pins and your imagination. These are so much fun. You can make some for every holiday or even every outfit. . . .keep reading

Souvenir Vacation Scrapbooking
Vacation Scrapbooking Pages Using Souvenirs . . . keep reading

Summer Kids Crafts
Summer crafts to make with your kids; funky flip flaps, jewelry, popsicle stick flowers, summer noise makers and cookie flowers. We have also added a craft for moms to make for their kids. It is a back pack blanket for all of their summer activities. . . . keep reading

Summer Fun Recipes
Summer is the time for fast, easy and light food. We have gathered together some of our favorite summer food recipes . . . keep reading

Just for Fun

Shampoo alert!

  

   As I was conditioning my hair in the shower this morning, I took time to read my shampoo bottle.  I am in shock!  The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my entire body says "for extra volume and body"!

Seriously, why have I not noticed this before?  Now I understand why I am so "full-figured"!

   Tomorrow I am going to start using "Dawn" dish soap.  It says right on the label "dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."

   It pays to read the warning labels! I thought you could use a laugh today.

Be Aware, Don't Share

Parents: You May Be A Drug Supplier This Summer

Studies show that more teens start using drugs during the summer months – while unsupervised and with more free time.

With the end of the school year approaching, children look forward to a long break – and a lot of time at home alone. When teenagers are released from school for long break periods such as summer, the risk of substance abuse increases.

The CDC lists prescription drug abuse as the fastest-growing drug problem among 12-17 year olds.  One in four high school students in the U.S. admits to having taken a prescription drug without a prescription. The number of teens going into treatment for addiction to prescription drugs has increased by more than 300%.  Emergency room visits for prescription drug abuse have more than doubled since 2004, 48% of all ER visits for prescription drug abuse are by young people ages 12-20.  Prescription drugs are now involved in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine, combined.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Safeguard all medicines by monitoring quantities and controlling access. Remove drugs from your medicine cabinet and lock them up.

Warn your youngsters that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous, addictive, and lethal as street drugs.  Studies show that teens dangerously view prescription drugs as “safer” to abuse than illicit drugs.

Properly dispose of old or expired medicines in the trash. Hide or mix them with cat litter or coffee grounds before throwing them away.

Don’t have kids at home? What about your grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and your friends’ kids that visit your house?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUpGahCmeTk

Parents can learn more about preventing prescription drug abuse at home this summer by downloading the MEDucation Kit from Lock Your Meds. This resource provides a good dose of knowledge about prescription drug abuse among adolescents. The comprehensive kit teaches parents lessons about the problems of abuse and the solutions available for families. Parents can download the MEDucation kit here:

I Pray You Enough

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure of the daughter’s flight.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said,

‘I love you, and I pray you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Mom, our life together has been more than enough.

Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.’

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?’

‘Well…I’m not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is – her next trip back will be for my funeral,’ she said.

‘When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, I pray you enough. May I ask what that means?’

She began to smile. ‘That’s a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.’ She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. ‘When we said, ‘I pray you enough,’ we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.’

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

To all my mom-stuff friends,

I PRAY YOU ENOUGH…….

I did not experience this, nor did I write this. I do not know who the author is. I received this in an email (one that passes around the web) this morning from my daughter. It meant so much to me I wanted to share it with all of you. Thanks for being a one of my mom-stuff friends. Dianne

Love is the Message of June

June emerges as a sea of green.  Summer officially starts, and in earlier days trees would have become the heart of the community.  Children would be in them and adults would gather under them to share stories and a cool drink.  Some of the distinction between trees blurs with the passing of the blossoms and we see, instead, a merciful bower and quiet retreat.  The trees are generous with their shade, and we can breathe a little deeper in their presence.

Looking up into the canopy of a spreading tree is a heart-filling experience.  A tree can protect you from rain and yet allow a glimpse of a summer sky.  Looking at the world with the heart may open a similarly uplifting view.  We are sheltered from loneliness as we receive love from people in our lives, and see acts of kindness through seemingly impenetrable barriers.  As we learn to receive and give love we gain the message of June.

Excerpt from  Leaves for the Tree of Life by Kim Welborn and Dianne Murray

Best Free Downloads for Summer

Add sizzle to your summer with the best FREE downloads on the web.

While watching my favorite DVR show Studio 5, I found Executive Producer, Michelle Torsak sharing her top picks for everything from 4th of July party favors to summer chore charts. If you do not live where you get KSL go to Studio 5 website. They have the best collection of family resources on the web.

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1. 4th of July Party Favors: Red, white and fun describe these sparkler cards and party favors from the always amazing Twig and Thistle.

Click here to download:

2. Vintage Lemonade Labels: Print these gorgeous labels from J Bartyn on sticker paper and adhere to your glass canisters for a super chic lemonade stand.

Click here to download:

3. Travel Bingo: Love this car bingo game from Martha Stewart. Print, laminate and play using your favorite candy as markers.

Click here to download:

4. Jam Labels: Give the gift of your favorite strawberry jam with these darling labels from How About Orange.

Click here to download:

5. Calendar Canning Labels: Unique and practical describe these canning labels from Sweet Preservation that let you both organize your pantry and commemorate your canning date or another special event.

Click here to download:

6. Grass Clip Art: This Martha Stewart download makes the perfect background for a daisy sugar cookie. Packaged in cellophane and tied with a lovely ribbon, it makes a charming favor for a wedding shower or summer party.

Click here to download:

7. Summer Floral Gift Tags: These beautiful gift tags from Eat Drink Chic add the “wow” to a bouquet of flowers or a hostess gift.

Click here to download:

8. Children’s Chore Chart: This colorful children’s chore chart by ModEco Kids offers a new perspective on “chores”.

Note: The original download from modecokids.com is no longer available. The download is currently available from the Sutton Grace blog.

Click here to download:

Share your favorite summer ideas with us. You can post your link here or email me. Thanks dianne@mom-stuff

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.

It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have.

It is a time when families and friends get together for BBQs  to celebrate the lives lived and sacrificed for our freedom.
My Father served in WWII, My children’s fathers in the Viet Nam war, my son served in the army at the Pentagon and my son-in-law is getting ready so deploy for his second tour in Irac. I AM Proud to be an American and I AM Thankful for the lives given in service so we can enjoy a country with so much opportunity to be all that we can be.
Wishing you a Memorial Weekend with wonderful moments to cherish the freedom we have and to give thanks to the people who sacrifice so much for it. Remember the service men and woman in your prayers and help their families while they are away.

Great Father's Day Ideas

We have some great Father’s day ideas to help make this the best Father’s day ever. We here at Mom-Stuff want to celebrate all of the great Dad’s in the world.

Father’s Day Family Fun
5 ways to Celebrate Father’s Day (A special day without breaking the bank) . . . keep reading

The Truth about Dads
On the outside, dads are like steel. Anodized steel to be exact. But way down, deep inside, they’re all mush. Every last one of them. Show me any cantankerous, tough as nails, testosterone-driven Neanderthal, and I’ll show you his softer side–and we needn’t even be near a Sears Department Store. . . . keep reading

Father’s Day Dessert Recipes
Father’s Day Dessert Recipes- The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and there is no better time to work your kitchen magic than on Father’s Day. . . . keep reading

Father’s Day Kids Crafts
Make this fathers extra special for the Dad’s in your life. Help the kids make them a gift from the heart. Father’s love to keep the gifts their children make for them. . . . keep reading

Scrapbooking A Father’s Love
A Father’s Love Knows No Boundaries Scrapbooking Page . . . keep reading

Hanging Out With Dad
Great page for Father and Child pictures. . . . keep reading

Do You Have Bad Hair Days at Your House?

Help is on the way!!!

Mom-Stuff wants to congratulate Amber, one of our moms, on a great blog. The Wright Hair has been honored in the  50 Top Hair blogs and Articles.

The Wright Hair has the number 6 spot, and it reads;

6. The Wright Hair This mom shares her tips and ideas for styling your little ones’ hair without putting her through pain. One daughter has thin, flat hair, making this a great blog for those who struggle with a similar texture.”

Amber appreciates this recognition and is happy to help others.  That is why she has her blog.

Be sure to click on the link and see the other top hair blogs that have also been honored.

Visit Amber at the Wright Hair Blog http://thewrighthair.blogspot.com/ and  get helpful hair tips from her article for mom-stuff, Hair Remedies from The Wright Hair blog!

SOME OF HER POPULAR POSTS

Make it or Break it Lauren’s Latest Style

Lauren’s Hairstyles are so cute and so much fun to recreate. So here goes another one. Because my daughter has a lot of hair but it is t…

Inspired by Lady Gaga

I started by making a poof in the front of her hair.  (We did this because she is still trying to grow out her bangs) Make a french braid fr…

French Braid Headband to Ponytail

This is simple and cute taken from a spin off of Lauren’s Hair from Make it or break it.  I made a french braid across the entire front of h.

Teachers Appreciation Week

This week is Mother’s Day. Mom-Stuff wants to wish all of our moms the best Mother’s Day ever. If you still need some fun ideas to help celebrate your Mother’s day visit mom-stuff.com for some last minute ideas.

This week is also Teachers Appreciation Week. We have posted two new crafts for you and your kids to make for their teacher. We hope you will have as much fun making these as we did.

Crayon Bouquet
This is a very easy project and it was so much fun for the kids to help with. My grandkids loved pushing in the crayons. . . . keep reading

Crayon Wreath
This project is mostly done with a glue gun so it is recommended for older kids or moms. . . . keep reading

Make sure you tell your child’s teacher “thanks” for all they do.  Teachers make the world a better place for all of us, one child at a time.

I Am A Teacher

By John Wayne “Jack” Schlatter  (Adapted from his book I Am A Teacher) the toughts of a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.

Throughout the course of a day I am called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, psychologist, substitute parent and a keeper of the faith.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor. I know that what I build with love and truth, will last forever. I am privileged to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience? You, the public and the parents who entrust to me their greatest contribution to eternity, their children.

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.

I have a past that is rich in memories, I have a present that is challenging, and fun, because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I Am A Teacher and I Am Thankful For It every Day.

Tags: crafts, family, Teacher-appreciation, teacher-gifts,www.mom-stuff.com

Only 2 Weeks Until Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is a time of commemoration and celebration for Mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family gatherings, and crayon scribbled “I Love You’s.”

Mother’s Day is only 2 weeks away, with Easter being so late this year I thought I better warn you. There is not much time to get ready.Here are your mom-stuff links to help you with ideas. Mother’s Day will be celebrated on 08 of May (in the U.S.). In the UK  is celebrated on the 03 of April, 2011. 

Mother’s Day Recipes
Recipes Handed down from Wonderful Mothers In the spirit of our Mother’s Day Tribute all of our recipes this month have a story of love and tradition. Each one reminds us of a person who made this special food for us. . . . keep reading

Kids Crafts for Mother’s Day Gift
Our society’s current financial circumstance is the perfect opportunity to shift our focus to what is really important in our lives. Focus on the people in our life this year on Mother’s Day.keep reading

Mother’s Day Tributes
A Mother’s love is something that no on can explain, It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may For nothing can destroy it or take that love away . . . . . . keep reading

From His Hands to Ours
This scrapbook page is the day my daughter became a mom and I became a grandma. The collection of pictures were the first time we each held her. I wanted to capture the joy of the family welcoming her in to our lives. . . . keep reading

Flower Ball For Mother’s Day
Beautiful, easy and INEXPENSIVE gift for Mother’s Day. . . . keep reading

I am still working on Teacher Appreciation Week. So if you have any great gift ideas you want to share, email them to me. dianne@mom-stuff.com

Tags: crafts, family, mothers day, Recipes, Scrapbooking,www.mom-stuff.com

Have a Wonderful Easter

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience;with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’….. she fooled them all…”How heavy is this glass of water?”, she inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance.  In each case it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.” “As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.  When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night…. pick them up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you’re carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you’ve rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now ‘supposed’ stress that you’ve conquered!” 1 * Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue! 2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. 3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. 4 * Drive carefully… It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker. 5 * If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. 6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.. 7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. 8 * Never buy a car you can’t push. 9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on. 10 * Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. 11 * Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late. 12 * The second mouse gets the cheese. 13 * When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane. 14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live. 15 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person. 16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once. 17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull.  Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box. 18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. 19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today. 20 * It was I, your friend! *Save the earth…… It’s the only planet with chocolate and chocolate bunnies Mom-stuff.com wants to wish you wonderful Easter.

Radiation Heath Issues

I received an email today from one of our participating experts for health and nutrition at mom-stuff.com. I wanted to pass it alone in case any of you were also worried about your families health after the disaster in Japan. I do not believe in scare tactics but I do believe in education. Here is some advise of radiation issues from Kim Welborn.

Like every other health practitioner, I have been getting lots of calls about radiation issues and what to have on hand. What I have always had stashed in my closet are 4 things: kelp, dulse, algin, and Yarrow Special Formula flower essence blend. The first two are good sources of organic, elemental iodine to support the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine is used to kill the thyroid (in theory to “reduce” an overactive or ‘hyper’ thyroid, but dosage is so different from person to person that one dose of the usual three will sometimes stop it altogether) because iodine is stored there. The seaweeds keep the thyroid working and help to chelate out the radioactive elements. It is really important to know and trust your sources on sea vegetables because many are grown in contaminated water; since Japan has generally been the primary source this will be especially important in months to come in view of the amount of radioactive water that has been released into the ocean. To my knowledge, Nature’s Sunshine is the only company to test every product for radiation. they were the only company to stop selling Golden Seal after Chernobyl, when the cloud blew west over the main production areas in Northern Europe. Super Algae is another good item to add to the mix.

Algin will remove radiation from the body, but should only be taken for a maximum of two weeks at a time, with at least a two week rest in between, as it will begin to bind nutrients in the intestinal tract as well. I would use it only if I were sure of unsafe exposure. Hydrated Bentonite and other clays are somewhat less effective for radiation specifically, but do help in general detoxifying, especially in baths.

The Yarrow Special Formula helps with balancing the energetic impact of radiation and other (environmentally) traumatic events. It was originally formulated specifically to help protect against radiation and can be used in water as a room spray in addition to being taken internally.

Remember that the more raw fruits and vegetables you eat, the higher your overall level of trace minerals, including iodine and iodide. The higher your mineral levels, the less likely the body is to “grab” and store radioactive iodine, which it will jump on if you are as deficient as most Americans are. Miso and other fermented foods also seem to improve the body’s resistance to exposure, and are a great idea anyway.

Stay well,

Kim Welborn

For more information from Kim visit her website Kim Welborn, Body Systems Counselor.

New Featured Articles

Card Inspiration

I found the funniest blog today that really got my creative juices flowing.

Stay-at-home Moms Turning into Work-at-Home Moms
Life as a stay-at-home-mom comes with rewards and challenges. . . .

Why do Children Whine, Scream and Fight?
Once the need has been made clear, not only can you relate to your child better but together with your child you can also find a solution which both of you can live with. . .

Crafty Toddler Meals
“Go ahead and play with your food” says Mama Brain. Visit her web site for great recipes and food inspiration. http://www.mamabrain.com/ . . .

Easter is coming. Only two weeks left. Visit mom-stuff.com for great recipes, kids crafts and decoration ideas. I took my grandkids to see the new movie Hop last night. It was a fun Easter activity.

Have a happy Easter with your friends and family.

Tags: card-Inspiration, Hop, kids-food-crfats, partenting, Recipes kids-crafts decorations, SAHM, WAHM

Our Finger Sucking Journey

Our Finger Sucking Journey

To start our journey of finger sucking I am going to start from the very beginning.  When our oldest daughter was born my husband decided NO binkies were allowed.  I didn't question this decision he has a son and I figured he knew something I didn't.   At 4 months old on the very same day I pierced my daughters ears she started sucking her 2 middle fingers.  At the time this was cute, adorable even.  This habit was her way of soothing herself. 

As with any kids or at least from my experience I didn't think too much of her habit.  At the age of 4 I started worrying that she was a little old to still have this terrible habit.  I asked her pediatrician about the habit.  Her pediatrician didn't seem to think it was a problem and kept telling me that because it was her fingers and not her thumb there wouldn't be any damage to her mouth.  She also told me that when she started school she would stop on her own.  As she started attending school the finger sucking did not stop, we worried about her getting teased or criticized.  I personally was criticized by other mom's because I have allowed it to continue.  If only it was that easy!  Those of you reading this I am sure know what I am talking about.

She is 7 now, our goal for this year was to get her to stop by her 8th birthday.  This winter was when the straw broke the camels back.  It has been a bad winter with lots of colds, flu's and allergies.  We had the same flu circle our house for about 4 weeks.  That is when I put my foot down.  I don't know if this is what really happened but it seemed like she was sharing this flu around because of the bacteria she was spreading from her fingers. 

We have tried ever trick we could find such as  making her wear a glove, fingernail polish, rewarding her, reminding her that her hand is in her mouth, putting a splint on her finger. We tried taping her 2 fingers together. We even tried getting frustrated with her. I was on the verge of asking a doctor to put a cast on her hand.


Everyone of these methods was a Big Failure
Being at the end of my rope with how to help I asked a different pediatrician (he recommended the Nasty polish) and I also got on the Internet to search any other options we hadn't tried. The NASTY fingernail polish (mivala) was the only thing we haven't tried. I started reading the reviews and was getting the feeling in your stomach of nervousness to use this. I was feeling like it was abuse. To me it was like putting her hand in poop. With that uneasy feeling I got creative and wondered if putting fake fingernails on her hands would work. I went to a salon and they said they wouldn't put acrylic fingernails on her they said she was too young. Dang it another idea gone. Then I thought what about the fingernails you put on yourself. I took her to the store and let her pick out the style of nails she wanted.  I figured if I made it look fun they we might be successful. She had so much fun picking out her nails and then spending the time to put them on. We went home and put the nails on. 

**Note**  The first nails we bought were press on nails.  We bought the nail glue as well but let me tell you from trial and error.  Don't put nail glue over the top of the press on nail glue.  If you can only find small enough nails in press on use alcohol to get the glue off first.   I did however find petite nails at Target these work perfectly for my daughter they were even short so they looked like real nails.  

As an update we put the fake nails on March 20, 2011 and here it is March 30, 2011 and she has not sucked her fingers since I put them on.

I will be honest the first night was the most difficult and heartbreaking.  She went into anxiety and kept asking me how am I going to get to sleep.  Night was always the worst for her finger sucking.  I suggested for her to rub her ear since that was also a smoother with her fingers.  I also asked if she could think of anything else that would help.  For a last resort we had a baby doll's binkie, she put this in her mouth but I think it was more of a joke.  The next morning I praised her she had successfully made it the first night. 

On a better note; I asked her at about 5 days in what she was doing at night to help her sleep.  She answered with the sweetest voice, "I prayed for help to be able to sleep."  She melted my heart.  I will continue to keep everyone updated on our success as we journey on.....by Amber a mom-stuff mom

Mom-Stuff helps you get ready for Easter

Mom-Stuff Team has been busy getting Easter ideas ready for you and your family fun. Easter this year is on April 24th so you only have 4 weeks to get ready.

Bunnys Easter Eggs

Bunnies made from Plastic Easter Eggs . . .

Our Easter Traditions
In our family uses every excuse to celebrate. Holidays are always fun with our family. While growing up as a little girl we always had picnics and Easter egg hunts. . .

Easter Recipes
Cupcake baskets and 10 ways to use up hard boiled eggs. .

Easter Kids Crafts
Easter is such a fun time for kids. Help them make some fun crafts. We have craft ideas for all ages. . .

History of Easter Traditions
Have you ever wondered how Easter traditions got their start the Easter bunny, coloring eggs, egg hunts, Easter lilies? What do these things have to do with the resurrection of Christ? I decided to find out. . .

Thanks to all of our new members. If you have not joined there is no catch totally free to join. We have decides it is our goal to make the world a better place one mom at a time. Come over to mom-stuff.com and help us create a  happy, supported and helpful place just for moms.

Tags: Crafts, Easter-Traditions, family, Family-Fun, Recipes,traditions

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