Each year with the beginning of school I dread packing lunches each morning. What do you put in the lunches of two children who are gluten free, soy free, dye and chemical free? During the summer they feast off of left overs or I cook something for them but in school it is a bit more difficult with no access to a stove or the ability to keep things cold / frozen.
Other mom's have offered some advice that I have found helpful and I thought it would be good to share with you.
It's School Lunch Packing Time
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Back to School and Staying Healthy
It's almost time for many students to return to school. Parents will carefully purchase clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes, pencils and more to prepare their child for a sucessful year. But are they safe? Many dangerous chemicals are lurking in items used by your children and in things found in the schools your children attend that have been linked to asthma and even autism. I read a great article today regarding where these toxins can be found and how you can protect your children from them.
PVC, the Poison Plastic - Unhealthy for Our Nation’s Children and Schools
Even lunch boxes can be dangerous as many have been found to contain lead. The safe option we have been using for 4 years and love is the Laptop Lunchbox system which are great for the *green* consience family. They can be purchased from Laptop Lunches, Amazon or Ebay. You should also make sure that you are buying a good quality stainless water bottle to avoid BPA's that interfere with hormones in developing bodies.
Speaking of lunch boxes. It's time to consider some healthy options to put into their tummys. The Laptop Lunches website has some great meal ideas. The little containers can make some eye pleasing lunch options.
Along with school comes sickness in many cases as children have new schedules, are exposed to other children's germs and are a bit stressed. There are things you can do to help your child stay on top of his game. First of all we use good old fashioned Vitamin C. We love the Ultra Potent C from Metagenics. They offer a chewable form that is orange flavor that contains lysine as well as Vit C for immune boosting properties. Along with the vitamin C my supplement cupboard (we have no medicine cupboard) always contains Sambucol. This is a syrup from elderberries. Did you know that elderberries have been shown to be effective against the H1N1 virus (just a side bar in case the *scare* comes up again)? If your child does get sick there is a wonderful homeopathic product from BORON called Oscillcoccinum. It is small tubes of tiny pellets like sprinkles on a cupcake. They are sweet too so the child will not mind taking it. Both items can be purchased from your local pharmacy like Walgreens or CVS.
To your health....Naturally!
Stephanie
Healing From Things You Cannot Control
It's been almost two weeks since Clayton College of Natural Health announced on its Facebook page that they were having financial difficulties, had laid of many of its staff and apologized for any hardship this has created for the staff, students and family. It was followed up with a comment that on Monday (July 12th) they would be meeting with the State of Alabama Post Secondary Ed Dept to discuss a plan going forward. So we all waited. Three thousand plus students were enrolled and pursuing a degree through Clayton. So I was not alone. It all came as a shock - no warning, no incling that there was an issue other than a constant shifting of advisers being assigned to me over the last few months. But even that did not signal a crisis, only a staffing issue.
I had just entered my last phase of the Doctorate of Naturopathy program. I was excited to see the end in sight as I carefully counted and planned out my schedule for completion over the next year. But this change of events turned my plans upside down. There was a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach as I evaluated why a layoff of staff would necessitate a meeting with the state and a plan to move forward. That feeling encouraged me to study and finish my class over the weekend to get one more item on my transcript. So on Sunday, July 11th I submit all the necessary coursework to complete my Detoxification and Healing class.
Then came the news on Tuesday. Clayton College of Natural Health after 30 years in business has decided to shut its doors due to economic reasons. I had just finished paying my last monthly payment in May totalling $7050. Why no warning we all wondered? What is next for us? Hints were given through a reporter and then finally published on the CCNH.edu website that the college was working to put together a "Teach Out" program. This is a program by which the school can have a limited staff to assist some students in completion of their degrees, allow for transfer to other colleges or continue their degrees under another authority. Notice I said "some". Yes that is key. We do not know who may be eligible or if the plan will actually come to fruition.
Recently on a news website an article was posted on how the school closing had effected Clayton students. There were many that posted ugly topics like "That's what you get for going to an unaccredited school" or "Who would think that they really could get a Doctorate degree for $7,000". For one thing "degrees" in holistic health are not like those from regular universities - thankfully. :) There is one thing to keep in mind when it comes to the holistic health arena. Most of us do not want a school with accreditation because that means that the course content will be watered down to represent what the government deems to be relevant and not what really is. Some where along the line we have begun to believe that having government approval means value and authenticity. Well it doesn't. It actually makes things worse. The government cannot be an expert in all areas and to believe that it can regulate every aspect of your life effectively is just insane. So using the brain God gave me I evaluated the courses and chose Clayton. It's just unfortunate that the management of the school handled the economic downturn and whatever else contributed to the loss of our school - poorly.
So for now I am left wondering where I will end up. Recent news from Clayton states that an individual has been found for a "Teach Out" program for a few individuals. That doesn't sound promising. They also mention that they are working with other colleges to allow transferring of students. To this all I see are $$$ on my part after having paid Clayton over $7,000 for the same coursework that I will probably never get to finish.
One friend reminded me of a verse from the Bible. I think it is appropriate in this situation. I am reminded that God was not surprised by this and that He is still in control. What they meant for evil God intends for good.
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
To all my Clayton fellow students. Keep the faith, keep striving for your dreams and never let anyone else steal them from you.
To your health..... naturally.
Stephanie
The ABC's of Nutrition - Vitamin A
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A was the first vitamin that was officially named. That is why it was labeled with the first letter of the alphabet. It was identified in 1913. The first form identified is what we now know as retinol (preformed).
Retinol's function is easy to remember because its main function is on the retina (eye). The rods of the eyes within the retina rhodopsin which is a pigment which enables the rods to detect small amounts of light. The pigment cannot be made without Vitamin A. More specifically - Retinal - which is a special form.
The other form, carotenoids, are known as provitamin A. They can be found in oranges and carrots as well as the yellow vegetables and fruits. There are 600 different carotenoids. These carotenoids can be convereted into retinol.
Vitamin A is measured mainly in IU's (international units) which is the level of chemical activity belonging to the Vitamin A. Beginning in 2000, the RDA switched to expressing in terms of micrograms. This brought in the actual physical amount and allowed for a chemical activity factor.
Vit A is absorbed primarily in the small intestine. This vitamin is fat soluble (stored in the fatty tissue of the body) and is reduced with alcohol usage, cortisone medication, excessive iron intake or the use of mineral oil. Exercise can also deplete this vitamin. Because it is stored in the fatty tissue, the body can draw upon these reserves when intake is lowered. 90% of the Vit A is stored in the liver with smaller amounts in the kidneys, lungs and eyes.
Vitamin A is depleted when there are times of stress or illness. Adequate levels of zinc are required in order to release vitamin A for usage.
Recommended intake per day is approximately 5,000 iU (or 1,500 mcg RE). Deficiency signs include dry skin, changes in vision, and an increase in infections.
Sources - the two forms come from different foods. Preform A (Retinol) is derived from animal sources. It is found in the highest form in liver and fish liver oils. Egg yolks and milk products can be good sources of Vit A if obtained from non- "drugged", grass-fed animals. ProVitamin A (beta-carotene) is found in a variety of yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. It is converted to Vit A in the liver. Individuals with low thyroid, diabetes and those using large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids without antioxidants such as Vit E will have difficulty in converting beta-carotene to Vit A. The presence of bile salts and fatty acids in the intestine helps the assimilation of Vitamin A.
Supplement Option - Kroeger Herbs Sunny A
Why is Vitamin A Important?
Eyesight
Healthy Skin - both internal and external tissue integrity
Growth and Tissue Healing - involved in new cell creation including bone and promoting healthy teeth.
Antioxidation - protects cell membranes from free radicals
Lowered Cancer Risk and Supporting Immune System - optimizes function of white blood cells and integrity of mucosal lining.
Regulating Genetic Processes - the binding of retinoic acid to receptors on the nuclear membranes alters genetic processes
To find foods highest in Vitamin A check out the Worlds Healthiest Foods.
ACNE CURE - If your teen is struggling with acne, Vitamin A has been shown to assist in detoxing the liver to clear the skin. Acne is a result of an overly toxic body.
To your health...... Naturally,
Stephanie
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