Mama’s Home Remedies

Eat one banana or several, drink a glass of room temperature water for breakfast. Eat anything you like for lunch and eat your dinner by 8 p.m. Snacking at 3 p.m. is OK, but don’t eat any desserts after meals. Don’t go to bed late, just before midnight. Simple and easy-to-do-it, a brand new “Morning Banana Diet.”

Don’t hurry to jump-start on bananas. Something is not clear here. Why should you eat your snack at 3 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m.? What is wrong with eating desserts after meals? Some people have a “sweet tooth” and will finish their dinner with sweets. Dark chocolate is allowed and can act as mood stabilizer which could help reinforce correct nutrient intake. It looks like creators of banana diet concerned not only with sweets, but with calories eaten after 8 p.m. that can turn into fat. False or true? This is another myth.

It is a well known fact that you should eat as many calories in balance, as your body can burn in a day. If you consume more calories than you should, the excess of them will be stored as fat. What can be as simple as that? Time you eat your food doesn’t matter because the clock and calories are not connected. What you do after you meal is important. Are you sitting on a couch and watching TV or you exercise or go for a walk. If you are active after meal, you burn fast the excess of the consumed calories.

(more…)

Did you know that you have a specific tree? Yes, it’s true. In Eastern European tradition, each person has a tree specifically designated to look after you. This tree was predestined for you by Mother Nature to be your friend, your talisman and a guardian of your health. You just need to know which tree is yours, how to invite your tree into your life and become close friends with it.                                                              

Plants and trees are sponsors and amulets on the thorny path of our lives.

                                        In golden times, it is said, verbena gave people love and joyful mood.

The leaves of a fig tree were used for fortune-telling and its branches saved matadors from angry bulls.

The black mulberry tree is said to support success in business and is ruled by the planet Mercury, a sponsor of entrepreneurial people.

It is believed that the ash tree brings happiness to the home.

 Aloe gives prosperity and long life to the people who keep this plant in their houses. Do you know why?

Aloe can live and blossom without water for several years. Ancient physicians knew lots of healthy, natural tricks that we just started learning now. The tradition to hang aloe on the doors or windows was popular in ancient Egypt. (more…)

During most elections before only men got all the attention. However,  this year for the  first time in the American history, a mother of five children, a ”hockey Mom,” Sarah Palin became a Republican Vice President nominee and  got all attention in the world. 

Several other dynamic women appeared on the podiums and television. They initiated a powerful talk about the challenges and problems facing working and stay-at-home Moms. They discussed  important life issues that women are interested today.

Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden shared with public their unique personal stories and views. But no one of them struck a chord better with everyday women as a female political candidate, Sarah Palin. She is tough and dedicated to being a leader at home, in Washington and abroad, as media commented. (more…)

The investigation in the ongoing milk powder scandal in China continues. According to the latest evidence, melamine was intentionally added (in lab tests) to boost the protein content of milk product used to make formula for infants and other dairy products. Did Chinese scientists know that a compound they created and tested can cause kidney failure and kidney stones if digested in large quantities?

In the meantime, we read and hear there are new findings of the melamine-tainted products. As was reported by The Local News agency in Germany, the first melamine contaminated food products have been discovered across Germany for the first time.

At an Asian markets in Stuttgart, in Karlsruhe, Goppingen and Cottbus the tainted Chinese “White Rabbit” brand soft milk candies were first found. Analysis showed that the candies contain only trace elements of the substance that sickened more than 50,000 children and has killed four babies in China last month. Food regulation officials in Germany adviced people do not eat “White Rabbit”candies because milk is listed as one of the main ingredients.

This bonbon is just one of the 31 milk products containing traces of the chemical that can cause kidney stones. Good news, it has been recalled worldwide. According to news agency AFP, the Chinese government has assured consumers that all contaminated products were packaged before September 14, and anything produced after this date is pure. (more…)

                                       One of the many grateful customers wrote these words of admiration to the largest maker of hand-crafted American-made Teddy Bears, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Very nice! The teddy bears have been in existence and consumption for over 100 years. Many companies make them and will continue to do that, because people still don’t get tired of the teddy bears. On contrary, they buy more and more. How could you not love these beautiful hand-made creatures?  Some customers are so happy with teddy bears that  they even “cry with happiness” (from another testimonial) for getting a “Get Well” teddy bear, for example.  I only don’t understand, why they have to cry? Just laugh and smile and you’ll live longer!

Located in the pictoresque area of Green Mountains, Lake Champlain and the Andirondacks in Shelburne, Vermont, this company, starting with its building, is full of color, creativity and activity. More than 20 years the factory there are producing thousands and thousands of teddy bears for all ocassions in our life: for Birthday, “Get Well,” New Baby, Love, for Him, for Her, for Mom, for Grandma, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Sports Bears, Health and Hope, and many other.  If you you are not sure which one to choose, call a Bear Counselor at 1-800-829-Bear.

 I did research the company’s website trying to locate “the cuttest teddy bears I have ever seen,” and finally I found. The Fall Trend No. 1 in Teddy Bears’ Trade.  Vermont company is selling political bears: Palin and McCain, Obama and Biden. One of our readers send me a helpful tip: ”Palin and Biden teddies (guess which costs more)?” Thank you.  I thought they should be priced the same… (more…)

80% of cheap children’s toys selling in the USA are ‘Made in China.’ Remember the multi-million recall of Chinese made products? Still wonder “What can you buy that won’t hurt your child and keep him/her safe, healthy and develop his intellect?” The answer is natural, eco-friendly toys.

                                          Last month I researched several American and European companies making eco-friendly toys. I know from my childhood (growing up in southeastern Europe) that the European toymakers carefully select natural materials and design many healthy and safe toys for children.    

I prepared for you a list of the companies making their products for children with a thought and understanding that the toys are the leading activity and play helping your children to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Say No to junk, unsafe toys once and for all! Good toys (you see on the picture) made of natural materials and innovative design are much better for children; develop intellect and positive emotions, and keep an environment and your house clean and green. 

Here are the toy companies I like. (more…)

My world is clean and green! What about yours?

Biting irony, isn’t it? Now we have to protect our babies and ourselves from deadly industrial chemicals. At first was lead found in children’s toys, then melamine in pet food. This time baby’s formula is “enriched” with the same dangerous chemical.  What are these two chemicals that attracted the whole world’s attention?

• Lead is  a poisonous metal. It can damage the brain and other parts of the body. Anybody can be exposed to this toxic metal. There is no safe age to be exposed to it. You or your children can eat or drink lead contaminated food or water. You can be breating dust containing lead or it can come in contact through your skin. As the experts say, lead is the most harmful to children especially those younger than age 3 because it can permanently affect their growth and development. If a pregnant woman is exposed to lead, she can pass it to her unborn child (fetus). Lead can be passed to a baby through the mother’s breast milk.
• Melamine is a nitrogen containing molecule that has several industrial uses. In some parts of the world it has been used as a FERTILIZER.  In other countries melamine and polyacetal formaldehyde based resins are used as ADHESIVES in plywood, surfacing coatings and molding compaunds. Can you imagine the strenght of these ingredients? Consumer First Aid and Health Information (www.emedicinehealth.com) reported, animals that have been fed with melamine-tainted food made from Chinese ingredients may be present in fish, pork and poultry. FDA says that health risk to humans is low. How health risk to humans can be low if this chemical has been used as fertilizer in agriculture and adhesives are part of construction materials? It doesn’t make any sense, does it? Obviously FDA can play its card by telling the American public that melamine isn’t registered fertilizer in the U.S. Another irony of fate. So, why we still have here food products with added melamine, which is another myth created by Chinese suppliers who try to insure the world that this toxic ingredient (melamine) is high in nitrogen and can artificially boost protein content.  You don’t need this artificial boost of protein. You can safely get your protein content by eating natural, whole foods.

So, Moms and Dads think twice before you buy “Made in China” toys for your kids or any other products produced there. The list of not safe Chinese products can go from powdered milk to tainted toothpaste, medicines, toys, pet food ingredients that killed and sickened people and animals in North and South America. These two facts that can tell you a lot and put you on alert: (more…)