Life on the Road

Wow! AmeriPlan is having a terrific promotion for Back-to-School…

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And if you sign up before school starts (by Labor Day), you’ll only have to pay HALF PRICE for the benefits, for your entire first year!

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Household Dental Plus, sale price only $9.98 a month!
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I felt very important when I discovered a comment on my previous High Fructose Corn Syrup post from none other than a representative of the Corn Refiners Association!

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been the subject of a lot of attention and misinformation in the past few years.

[see comments broken out below]

Thanks for your consideration.

Mark on behalf of the Corn Refiner’s [sic] Association

One thing I found interesting about the comment right off the bat is that it is apparently a generic response to people posting negatively about HFCS, and addresses many of the common concerns – some of which I had not even mentioned in my post.

Let’s start at the beginning and look at his remarks.

Both HFCS and sugar contain the same simple sugars (glucose and fructose), they both have the same number of calories, and your body metabolizes them the same way.

According to WebMD, glucose and fructose are NOT metabolized the same way by your body. 

They say it’s not a big deal, since (despite the name) HFCS is about 55% fuctose to 45% glucose – not a huge departure from the roughly 50/50 ratio found in table sugar and other sweeteners.  I don’t know how significant that differene really is…

I did mention the fructose issue in post, as something raised in my cursory literature review, but this is not a big issue for us since we are not a diabetic household.

The American Medical Association in June 2008 helped put to rest misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity, stating that “high fructose syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners.”

This is not an issue I raised, nor one that ever occurred to me.  Doesn’t that just say “eating junk food maks you fat?”  Duh.

There has been significant confusion about just how much high fructose corn syrup is contained in everyday foods. It is true that this highly versatile ingredient performs numerous functions besides sweetening that make it useful in many food preparations. But it does so in most cases using very small amounts. How small? You would need to eat 87 bowls of cereal in a single day to reach the recommended daily allowance of added sugars from high fructose corn syrup. For bread, they would need to eat 39 slices.

I find this statement misleading.

Sure, there’s not too much sugar-or-HFCS in a slice of bread.  But there’s a whole ton more in a can of soda pop, or fruit chew candy, or cookies.  And I’m imagining that how much there is in “a bowl of cereal” varies pretty widely.

HFCS is also so universal that it’s hard to even track the total cumulative amount. 

• It’s in your cereal, your jam, your yogurt, your granola, and your juice. 
• It’s in your weight-loss shake and your health-food protein bar. 
• It’s in your bread, your peanut butter, your cold-cuts, your soda, your cookies. 
• It’s in your chicken nugget coating, your ketchup…  Ack!

And furthermore, the very premise is a dodge.  The point it is trying to make is that you don’t get more HFCS every day than the amount of SUGAR that’s “allowable.”  An while they may be metabolically smilar, there are still other issues which may cause us to choose agains HFCS.

NBC Nightly News recently did a report about the misperceptions on HFCS http://bit.ly/m1YHT

This is a complete fluff job, with nothing new to add to the conversation.  I guess some people will believe it if they hear it on the network news.

The clip also leans heavily on the above point that HFCS is not any greater a cause of obesity than sugar, which is not one of the biggest issues I’ve heard discussed.

3rd party testing also shows that there is no quantifiable levels of mercury found in HFCS http://duketox.mc.duke.edu/HFCS%20test%20results4.doc

He cites a study that says NO, The Washington Post cites a study that says YES.  I’m not going to take sides, since I don’t have the inclination to go through and try to evaluate the research methodology of either one.

Again, though, this is a very peripheral issue in terms of people’s concern with HFCS.

So, there you have it.  That was the length and breadth of his “rebuttal.” 

A lot about not causing obesity, and nothing at all about the issues of biggest concern to our family:

• Made from corn which is typically genetically modified.
• Two of the enzymes used to create it (yeah, it’s a big chemical process), are genetically modified.

There is a study showing health risks from a Monsanto corn, and the NY Times reported the European Union’s proposed ban on two varieties fron DuPont (other good links here to more information, mercury studies, etc.)

• Increasing concern about corn farming in general – economically, environmentally, etc.

This is from a comment left on a study comparing the carbon footprint of ethanol (corn-based fuel) and gasoline at New Scientist:

Industrial-style corn farming is arguably one of the most ecologically damaging activities carried out in the U.S., causing devastating pollution of the two largest river systems in the country and creating a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico the size of New Jersey (http://www.smm.org/deadzone/ , etc.).  Corn requires more water and fertilizer than any other crop, and the most toxic insecticides and pesticides.

Similarly, corn farming is described as “a nightmare” by Ken Green of AEI (a DC think-tank), also in an article on Ethanol.

• It is simply so processed(see above), when many of us are trying to eat more naturally

Perhaps least-scientific but most-cited: It’s a weird, toxic thing that makes kids act crazy.  In our house this includes:

• Wolf gets his ulcer-like stomach pains after drinking YooHoo, which is very high in HFCS. 
• Jewel used to get stomachaches on a semi-regular basis right after eating… and we noticed a connection to the amount of HFCS consumed.
• Jewel becomes a totally zoned-out zombie if she eats a high HFCS “treat” after dinner or at any other vulnerable time
• Nick is far more ADD-like after eating high HFCS foods
• I get a migraine much more often from a high HFCS food than from an otherwise-identical item sweetened with honey, sugar, etc.

MOVING ON… 

What I actually wanted to talk about was, as I titled the post, how our life has been since we banished HFCS.

Between HFCS and the Pepsi boycott, Wolf and I are both without our favorite soft drinks. I’m missing my Mountain Dew, and he prefers Caffeine-Free Pepsi.

I’m not much of a soda drinker anyway, but with certain foods – like pizza – it just seems like the right choice.  You know how certain foods call for red or white wine?? 

We’re also trying to switch over to less expensive, more natural options, like iced tea.  Thanks to our Klean Kanteens, we can travel with anything and everything.

And the best new thing we’ve found? 

For those times when you just really want a soda, there’s Winn-Dixie (store brand) “Natural”.  Well, certain flavors.

The Black Cherry, Root Beer, and Grape are really, truly yummy.  The Cola we’re not crazy about, but it might do in a pinch if you really crave cola.  Orange and Cream is, um, not recommended. 

If only they had a Mountain Dew flavor…

There are other small-bottler and “natural” sodas available that are HFCS-free (typically sweetened with cane sugar) – but most of them are marketed as “Premuim,” with a price tag to match.

The Winn-Dixie Natural costs more than their regular line sodas, but at $2 – $2.50 for a six-pack, it’s quite a reasonable alternative to the big brand name sodas.

Some thing we haven’t bothered to replace commercially.  We’ve found simple recipes for everything from ketchup to tartar sauce, at places like RecipeZaar and Debt Proof Living.  We bake our own bread.

Less ulcer pains.  Fewer migraines.  Not as many stomach aches.

It’s hard to imagine there’s not something to this.

I got just plain worn out with Nick sometime after his third birthday.  As a single mom, having just come through a divorce from his dad, I was exhausted all the time.  He was having nothing to do with potty training, and it was exasperating, so I gave him the choice to wean or potty train, so that I could have a little respite. 

Much to my surprise, he chose to wean.  His stubbornness knew no bounds…  Still doesn’t, come to think of it.

Ten years later, I started the family thing all over again. 

Jewel still nursed at 3 1/2, and meanwhile I am happily breastfeeding her 10 month-old brother.

I would estimate that Jewel didn’t get any significant portion of her nurtition from “real food” until she was at least two, and the baby doesn’t eat at all yet.  No rush with these two, as life is more tolerable this time around. 

Breastfeeding is a hot topic for us.  In addition to all the well-documented scientific proofs of how much better it is, we believe that it is part of God’s plan for women aned families, and carries a lot of benefits that haven’t ever been studied or quanitified.

So Jewel was left in charge of her own weaning timetable.  Of course as she grew older the nursing requests came less and less often.  For a while it was only at bedtime and in the morning.  Then Papa took over bedtime, and it was only mornings…  But it was also there when she was sick, or fell and got hurt, or …

On Saturday, January 3, we’d had a busy day of running around.  Jewel had gotten cold, and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt of Nick’s.  We called her a Jawa… then had to explain that to her, and realized that we need to watch Star Wars!  But I digress.

As we were getting ready for bed, Jewel announced that she was a weaned Jawa.  Nobody was quite sure whether that was part of the Jawa game, or if she meant it – and even so if she would keep meaning it.  She’s said that once or twice before, but it never lasted past bedtime…

The next morning, Jewel took a pretty serious fall.  While observing her for a possible concussion, I nursed her.  But (when things calmed down) we continued talking about her weaning announcement.

Since then she has asked to nurse several times.  Each time I have responded with, “Oh, really, I thought you were weaned?”

The subject changes, and we go on about our business.  I would still nurse her if she asked again in that dialogue, but she hasn’t.

A week and a half later, at her age, I think we’re probably safe saying it:

Jewel is Weaned.

Time to throw a party!  Much more significant as a coming-of-age milestone than 12, 13, or 16, if you ask me…

Any ideas what we should do?

This is a cool event coming up this weekend.  It’s being orgaized by my great friend and dedicated La Leche Legue leader, Kristin Jayd.

Tickets available at the gate $6 per person, kids 12 and under are free.
For more info call 305-247-5727 or visit www.myspace.com/greatgreenfamilyfestival or www.REHSonline.com

Bring a blanket on Saturday to lay on the lawn and enjoy live music by Groove Kitchen, Psychadelic Mist, Usual Suspects.
On Sunday, sew your own cloth grocery bag from Morsbags: Sociable Guerilla Bagging.

Special Presentations include Green Trends Fashion Show
Soul Full Eating by Maureen Whitehouse Reducing Household toxins by Migule Cisneros Abreu

Buy local, independent, & handmade, from over 40 vendors including:  Arnica Spa to go Bee Heaven Environmental Productions First Choice Pet Food Going Bananas Green and Beyond Green Energy Products Green Veranda Hortitech Kypie Tzexoba Mama Kanga Mandala Art Mansura Stoneware and Raku Mindy & Lola Naturally Naked Nature’s Love Nature’s Natives Richard Lyons Nursery Romney Farms Suriya Thai Spa Tea N Sanity The Potluck Craft Collective featuring Bella Ella Boo Ehbip Arts Cheri’s Naturals Kristin Jayd Motherpath Ropa Vieja Vintage And MORE!!

Eat yummy food from the Crepe Maker Juice Blends Jamaican Organics Thai Donuts & More

Feed your Brain with Biscayne National Park DERM Earth Save Miami Everglades National Park Family Chiropractic Florida Energy Forum Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary La Leche League Patches Soil & Water Conservation Division Sunrise School of Miami the GREEN Party the Mustard Seed Initiative TREEmendous Miami Tropical Everglades Visitor Center and others!

CAUTION:  There is some graphic discussion of unpleasant subjects in this post, and in the links provided.  Please use your discretion about reading it yourself, and especially on behalf of your children.

 A source I deem credible told me that Barack Obama supports Partial-Birth Abortion.  I was horrified.

First, a definition, so we’re all on the same page:

I received a host of fascinating facts and links.

Here’s a highlight of the voting record:

• Obama voted against a ban on partial birth abortion (SB 230 in 1997) while serving in the Illinois senate.
• He also supports and co-sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act (Bill Number: S.1173) in the U.S. Congress which removes all restrictions (including parental notification in the case of minors) on abortions.
• As an Illinois senator, he shut down a bill that would have provided protection for infants born alive after a botched abortion (instead of being able to leave them to die.)

Someone posted a quote from the good Senator as saying:

On an issue like partial birth abortion, I strongly believe that the state can properly restrict late-term abortions. I have said so repeatedly. All I’ve said is we should have a provision to protect the health of the mother, and many of the bills that came before me didn’t have that.

This, to me, sounds like nothing more than a political spin. 

It’s really easy for him to say whatever he wants to, knowing that his position alienates a whole big segment of the population…  But actions speak louder than words, don’t you think?  Simply look at the voting record, above. 

Here’s a video of Mr. Obama with a telling quote:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg[/youtube] 

A BABY is…  a PUNISHMENT?

I hugged my kids tight and cried hearing him say that – and all the more so thinking that people are trying to elect such a person to lead our country. 

What happened to MORAL leadership?  A president we can look up to?  (I guess that all ended with Clinton?)

The Bible, of couse, says that children are a blessing from the Lord.  But even without that guidepost, can you jiggle your baby on your knee, and look at their drooly little smile, and …  I simply cannot fathom that as a serious position…

An intersting “scientific” tidbit was presented in the group discussion:

Of all methods of second-trimester abortion, the safest procedure (using mortality surveillance data) is dilation and extraction. – Source: http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC3311.HTM

Erm…  SAFE?  Does the BABY think so?  As far as my understanding of the procedure, the mortality rate is 100%!  (Okay, or 50%, I suppose, if you count the mothers).  Talk about missing the point…

Here’s a powerful – GRAPHIC CONTENT – video on the horrors being perpetrated on over 3,000 American babies EVERY DAY, and about Barack Obama’s position with regard to them:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm1WIPGbGMY[/youtube]

And just to leave you with a smile, let me suggest that perhaps the reason the good Senator doesn’t “get it” is because he’s an alien.   ;>

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vws9fTtQgz4[/youtube]

I have several issues wrapped up in this one, but my primary concern is the dental use of Fluoride.

When Nick was little, I looked into fluoride, since natural-living folks like Mothering Magazine raised some serious concerns about it.  I was convinced.

We use regular toothpaste with fluoride in it.  If we drink tap water, we drink it and the fluoridation isn’t something I worry about.  But I never let them slather that toxic goo in his mouth during dental cleanings.

Fast forward a decade.  We move to soouthern Florida, and pick a new primary care dentist for the kids.  According to the plan booklet, they treat ages 2-99.  But they didn’t want to see Jewel.  Last time Nick went (when she was 2) I assumed she was just under some age limit they had, but this time (at age 3) I was concerned.

They told me they usually see kids starting at age 6!  WHAT?!  How is a kid supposed to learn about going to the dentist?  Get their version of the oral hygeine instructions?  A free toothbrush?!  But seriously…

After twisting ther collective arm, they scheduled her for a cleaning.

The hygenist said she has a cavity, plus a tooth that should be long since in by now, so I should take her up to the pediatric specialists in Miami.
 
Aside from the fluoride issue itself, I was miffed at the nerve of the hygenist

1.  She told me dogmatically that if Jewel had been drinking fluoridated water she wouldn’t have a cavity! 

Ummmm…  if that were true wouldn’t it mean that practically nobody in the U.S. would ever get cavities?!  Obviously it’s not working quite that well, eh?

2.  She gave me a look that suggested she was debating calling Child Protective Services, and insisted that I was being foolish by refusing the topical fluoride treatment, as well as bottled fluoridated water. 

Wait, but you didn’t even want to SEE her for another *3 years*, right? 

PLUS, I have done my homework on this one.  Fluoride is a toxic chemical, period.  Here are some good articles (with references!) on fluoride and fluoridation: 

• Dr. Rosenbaum has a readable, brief summary of the issues.  A few highlights:
  • Research is also beginning to show that the cavity-fighting power of fluoride may have been overstated. Recent studies in the Journal of Dental Research conclude that tooth decay rates in Western Europe, which is 98 percent unfluoridated, have declined as much as they have in the United States in recent decades. Indeed, it’s only in the United States that fluoride is championed by the government; most European nations — including Germany, France, Sweden and Holland — prohibit fluoride on public health grounds.
  • Dr. Dean Burk, former Chief Chemist of the National Cancer Institute, showed that there are 10,000 or more fluoridation-linked cancer deaths yearly in the United States. The National Cancer Institute, the New Jersey Department of Health, and the Safe Water Foundation all found the incidence of ostereosarcoma (bone cancer) to be substantially higher in young men exposed to fluoridated water as compared to those who were not
• NaturalNews.com raises some more interesting points:
  • A government-sponsored report has concluded that levels of fluoride that people are regularly exposed to in drinking water can cause serious malfunctioning of the thyroid glad, leading to even more serious health problems.
  • Whoever heard of drinking a topical medication in the first place? It’s like swallowing sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Even worse, putting this into the public water supply effectively mass medicates everyone with a bioactive chemical substance that no one has been given a prescription for.
• Two from the IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology) - here and here.  Their synopsis:
  • In IAOMT’s ongoing examination of the toxicological data on fluoride, the Academy has made several preliminary determinations over the last 18 years, each concluding that fluoride added to the public water supply, or prescribed as controlled-dose supplements, delivers no discernible health benefit, and causes a higher incidence of adverse health effects.
• I saved my favorite for last: HolisticMed.com has a fantastically detailed list with a multitude of links.  Here’s a few teasers:
• #1 Neurotoxic and Lowers IQ
• #4 Changes Bone Structure and Strength
• #6 Proven Ineffective
• #13 Causes Permanent Disfigurement of the Teeth in Many Children

And let me reiterate that in all of the sources linked above, they have further explanation and documentation for the information mentioned.  This is not just one person’s opinion, but rather published clinical data. 

From the time Nick was little through the present, I have always made sure I told the dentists that I have an open mind.  I ask if they have any factual evidence to SUPPORT dental fluoride use.  And this time, as always, they hem and haw, and never come up with anything. 

Bah!

Guess where I was last Saturday?

Yeah, really.

After I suffered through a round of fierce chills and fever Friday, Wolf took my to the ER on Saturday morning.  They measured my temperature at 102.7. 

So I got IV fluids and antibiotics while they ran the labs. 

They even let me take my IV pole out into the lobby to nurse R.T. in the middle.  Maybe my last fiasco there actually had an impact on policy…

The test came back showing an acute kidney infection.  Suriprise!  Er, not.

So I got a prescription for antibiotics and came home.  (And had to put together a bog carnival for Tuesday! LOL)

This alsao meant that the Lithotripsy (for kidney stone breaking up) that was scheduled for Monday had to be cancelled, since they don’t want to do it when you’re sick.  Which is frustratingly circular, since we’re doing it to correct the reason I keep getting sick…

Well, hopefully at least this course of medication means that I will be able to have the Cystoscopy done on the 30th.  I haven’t heard yet when we can try the Lithotripsy again – the machine is only there once a month!

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be well…

Since this is already all put together, I’m just going to give it to you, as something important to be aware of: 

AMA Supports Proposed Legislation to Make Home Births Illegal

ABC News reported on July 11. 2008 that the “American Medical Association has agreed to support proposed legislation that, some physicians say, could make make having a planned birth in one’s home difficult, to virtually impossible.”  Presently their is no legislation but the AMA is backing what is called “Resolution 205″ which is a request to support the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) position that home births are not safe.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) spokesperson Gregory Phillips, stated clearly, the ACOG position, “We are against home births, period.”  He continued in the ABC story by stating, “Women who give birth outside of a clinical setting risk putting themselves and their newborns at risk.”

In opposition to this stand the American College of Nurse-Midwives has come out with a strong statement in support of planned home births. Jennifer Block, author of “Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care, who also writes a column for the LA Times stated in her columns that in Britain they routinely ask expecting mothers if they would like to have their babies at home instead of in the hospital.  In her column Block noted that a hand-out is given to expecting mothers from Britain’s National Health Service that says, “There is no evidence to support the common assertion that home birth is a less safe option for women experiencing uncomplicated pregnancies.”

Block also noted in her column that last year a joint statement was issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Royal College of Midwives that said, “There is no reason why home birth should not be offered to women at low risk of complications, and it may confer considerable benefits for them and their families.”

Ms. Block concludes her article by noting that she believes this entire issue is nothing more than a turf war by physicians not wanting to give up control. “The AMA’s statement calls for legislation that could be used against women who choose home birth, possibly resulting in criminal child-abuse or neglect charges. The group says this is about safety, but with no credible research to back up its claim, this argument falls flat.”

The various articles noted that the reaction by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) and the AMA came about due to a documentary film called “The Business of Being Born” by talk show host Ricki Lake, where she exposed the American system of birth as a business. Abby Epstein, the film’s director stated in the ABC story, “What the film has done is to cause a lot of women to choose midwives over OBs — especially younger women who’ve never heard of midwives,” said Epstein. “We’ve received calls from midwives saying that their practices have doubled since our film was released. There’s a lot of ego in this — that one would want to choose a midwife over an MD. It’s really a turf war going back 100 years between the medical establishment and midwives.  The trailer for the film can be seen on YouTube at the following address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DgLf8hHMgo

I just finished reading a book about tandem nursing (Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond), and although I would highly recommend it, after four months it didn’t really have a lot to say on the subject that was news to me.

I was fascinated to learn, however, that a mama kangaroo makes different milk in each teat!  She makes baby milk on one side for the tiny joey finishing his development in her pouch, and “toddler” milk on the other side for baby’s older sibling who will still stick his head in and nurse.  What a great trick!  Doesn’t God think up cool stuff?

And kangaroos have it down pat for carrying the kids around, of course.  We even name a parenting philosophy/practice after them: Kangaroo Care.

If you’d like to see some lovely photos of mamas in other cultures “wearing” their babies, check out this babywearing slideshow.

Sorry, but that’s all for today.  We’re all sick, so I’m even more behind than usual… 

I am so very, very tired of being sick…

And I NEED to SEW, since Mr. Grow-Like-a-Weed no longer fits well in Medium diapers and I have barely anything to put on his booty.

 Okay, I’m done whining.  Thanks for listening.  It’s tough being in a new town with no friends and family to whine to…