Fluoride Rinse Program in Elementary Schools

Yesterday, my son's school sent out permission forms for the kids to receive weekly fluoride rinses. The campaign's slogan is, "Be Healthy. Fluoride Mouthrinse Program" and is a province wide initiative.

What a joke! Fluoride will not make my son healthy and in fact, if he ingests any, which some percentage that remains in his mouth would be, it could actually make him sick. The pamphlet makes claims, such as, "Prevents tooth decay." No, sorry, it does not prevent it. It may contribute to the prevention, but it does not prevent it. That's like saying, as long as you do nothing but fluoride rinses once a week, you'll never have tooth decay. Give me a break.

I am also completely uncomfortable with the teachers and/or parent volunteers doling this out to the kids. Supposedly this is "safe", but I would like to at least see a dental assistant, or someone trained in some way, administering the fluoride. The kids are told to rinse with the solution for 1 whole minute, before "discharging" of the solution. I am yet to meet a 5 year old child who would keep a liquid in their mouth for a whole minute and not swallow any of it. I would like to see some stats on what percentage of kids accidentally swallow the solution each week.

 People are way too quick to follow the masses when it comes to issues like this. Just because you are told something or offered something deemed “safe” and “healthy” for free, doesn’t mean that it’s right or good. Do your own research and decide for yourself. Needless to say, I checked the "no, I do not give permission" on my son's slip. We will continue to eat health supportive foods and practice good dental hygiene in our home, but it will not include fluoride, not even in our toothpaste.

Feeding Baby

In just a few weeks, I will be having my third child. After taking my Natural Nutrition course, I feel significantly more prepared to nourish this child, but at the same time, I almost feel like I know too much.

I know too much about baby formula. It is all irradiated, leaving little to no nutritional value, not to mention that it has been exposed to radiation. In addition to this, most formulas are either cow's milk based or soy based...neither of which I would like to feed my child. Finally, there have been many cases of formula being recalled because of foreign substances, such as crushed glass, being found in batches. Why would I want to feed this kind of product to my child?!

Mother's breast milk is perfectly formulated for baby. It increases in supply when needed and changes in composition as needed. No baby is ever allergic to their mother's milk. They may be allergic to something the mother is consuming, but not the milk itself. Breast feeding may not always be the easiest route, but it's definitely the best. For those who are unable to breast feed, there are organic formulas available, that have a much higher standard of quality than most of what you see on the shelves.

I also know too much about baby food. All baby food, unless labeled as otherwise, has been irradiated as well. Again this means it has been exposed to radiation and possesses very little nutritional value. It has also been recalled on many occasions for containing foreign substances, such as crushed glass, etc. Baby rice cereals also contain heavy metals that are unnecessary. Some brands are now using iron filings. Get a strong magnet and test the theory. You will be disgusted.

In the case of baby food, there is no reason to purchase food in jars or cans for baby. Buy the fruit or vegetables, cook them and puree them. Voila! Baby food! You can even make a large batch and freeze it for convenience purposes. Some people use ice cube trays, etc. This is very easy, cost effective and much healthier for baby.

No one is perfect and we've all taken the easy way out on many occasions, but we shouldn't be lazy with the health of our children. Take the time. Do the research. Feed your child the best way you can.

Grad Speech: The Importance of Zinc

The Importance of Zinc

Ode to the Students and Teachers of the Grad Class of Twenty Twelve

We showed up Day 1,  

On the day of orientation.

I looked all around me

And saw great anticipation.

As we started the year
it became easy to see
just how much fun
this "nutrition" could be.

Our teachers brought knowledge,
experience too,
and my fellow students...
I'll get to you.

One teacher, a superhero
would tell us her rhymes.
Hollie gave us great notes,
and much of her time.

Next, from Great Britain,
a writer named Jane.
Her teaching and clever "hints"
helped us stay in the game.

Judy ran the school smoothly

Like a good dose of fibre

She would always make time

For us to run ideas by her.

Martin, oh Martin,
you sure know your stuff,
but keeping a straight face
when you say sphincters is tough.

The thought of taking chemistry

Made me feel queasy,

But with Rebecca as teacher

It was actually easy.

Joanne taught us how

to live well through the years

Through activity, community

and avoiding the beers.

With Alyson GMOs were hotly debated
Who knew it would turn out
We are actually related!

Jen came on board late

But she completed her mission

And now we can help athletes

improve their nutrition.

And last but not least
was a free spirit named Lise.
She's a great cook you’ve discovered
and easy to please.

Now, my fellow graduates,
let's talk about you.
Youth before wisdom?
Don't mind if I do.

First, there’s Larissa.

Not enough can be said

About how she remembers

Everything that shes read.

Next up is Meghan
My unique little roomie
She helped me calm down

When my kids made me looney.

Thank you to Laura
my friendly competitor
It is because of you
that we are valedictorians together.

Quiet confidence is Natalie.
Leah dresses the best.
The one with the dreadlocks
that's good ole Janice.

Melanie's always sleepy,

Laura V is the chef,

Crystal juggles so many things,

Did she ever rest?

Amongst this diverse group of women,

I didn’t see the link,

Until our friendship was stimulated

By discussions of zinc.

To the grads of twenty twelve,

I say congratulations.

It is up to us now

To provide nutritional inspiration.

We Don't Choose Who We Love

When you had your first crush, did you wake up one morning and say to yourself, "Today's the day I decide to be attracted to boys (or girls)!" I'm so tired of people trying to convince me that being gay or straight is a choice we as individuals make. We don't choose who we love. If we did, I'm sure many of us would choose differently. Not differently because of our sexual preference, but simply differently because sometimes the people who we love make our lives...complicated.

Why do people get so caught up in who we choose to spend our lives with? What happens behind closed doors is no one elses' business. It doesn't make you more or less of a person if you are in a same sex relationship. It doesn't make you more or less of a person if you're with someone of the opposite sex.

It is so sad to me that people are still teaching their children to hold homophobic views. Often, sadly, it is Christian people who hold these beliefs. What I don't understand is that part of being Christian is being all accepting and forgiving, yet these people who simply have a different sexual preference are treated as though they have a curable ailment. GIVE ME A BREAK!

Why are we, people across the entire world, not campaigning more against violent and abusive relationships? Why aren't we more concerned with things like incest, molestation and things that are actually harmful in relationships? Why do people fixate on something so silly as the gender of a couple? I will never, ever, understand this.

The Consequence of Hiring "Under the table"

We all have been warned and reminded not to hire people "under the table" for various contract work, but lets face it, we've all done it at one point or another. A family member of mine was recently reminded why saving a few dollars by hiring this way can cost us more money in the long run.

She hired a man to re-sod a lawn, the sod never caught and when she tried to contact him to discuss what had happened, she wasn't able to reach him...ever. So she was left with a lawn, no better than before, and now down multiple hundreds of dollars. Years past, and she finally found out, by chance, that he had switched businesses and was attempting to run a seemingly more honest operation, despite claiming to not recognize her when she confronted him. To confirm that he had in fact recognized her, he has called her friend repeatedly, who has coincidently hired him, to ensure she was happy with his work, etc.

Good for this man that he has seemingly turned his practices around, but how many people did he rip off in the process?

I have to ask myself as well if this family member of mine was targeted, both because she is a woman and a senior. I am forever hearing stories of seniors, in our community, who are taken advantage of. For example, a 93 year old female neighbor of mine went shopping for a base model Sedan, and came home in a  $30,000, souped up Sedan with specialty rims and sun roof and didn't know how to operate 90% of the vehicles functions. Was she taken advantage of? Most definitely.

Let this be a warning to you. Have a legitimate contract with those whom you hire, for whatever handyman type jobs you need completed. Hire reputable people with real company names behind them, supporting and guaranteeing their work. Don't just accept a business card as legitimate proof of business. Do a little research before you hire. As much as I would like to support "the little guy", working on the side to top up his income, it's not worth the risk of being left with a mess and then ultimately having to hire someone else to clean it up. Finally, if you know of a senior, living on their own, in your community, consider reaching out and offering them some assistance. I'm sure the little elderly lady next door would appreciate it.

Hospital Food-What a let down!

Over the winter, a close family member of mine had, or what was called at the time, a heart attack. She presented with nausea and radiating pain down her arm. I took her to emergency, where they have her medical history, list of ailments and medications, etc. Typically her troubles are entirely surrounding Type 2 Diabetes...so there is a lot of stuff about diabetes in her files. Anyway, they conducted an array of protocol tests on her and then it was time for supper. What did they serve her you ask? The Cardiac tray, consisting of white bread (converts to sugar), jam (made of sugar) apple juice (loaded with sugar), tea (with a side of sugar), white potatoes (converts to sugar), glazed carrots (MORE SUGAR) and a piece of unidentifiable "meat". Were they trying to make her worse?!

The one place we should be able to count on being "prescribed" appropriate food for our ailments is the hospital! When our bodies are already struggling with whatever ailment we're fighting, we should be able to trust that the hospital will provide us with food to support us and help us heal, not cause us further damage. Whether you're visiting someone in the hospital or a patient of the hospital, healthy food should be readily available. Food that will support our bodies when we need it the most. Next time you're there, check the selection in the cafeteria and tell me what you find. Chips, cookies, brownies, pop, fried foods...so called "comfort" food. Sure the odd piece of fruit is available, but this does not make up for the downfall of everything else.

Many people would argue that this sort of thing happens because of cost and because of the quantities that need to be prepared, but I would disagree with them on both accounts. Beans and lentils are some of the least expensive foods available and provide our bodies with a clean, alternative protein and fibre. When soaked overnight, the cook time is no longer than a batch of rice. 

There are so many things that we can do to improve the food in hospitals. I can't be the only one out there who feels this way.

Good things come to those who make them happen!

I am totally inspired by a Steve Jobs quote today. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

I have been in a constant state of settling for about 5 years now, with the exception of 8 months while I was in school this past year. Seven years ago, I was enrolled in the Bachelor of Public Relations Program at Mount Saint Vincent University. I did well in my courses, but had a very poorly matched job placement and everything went downhill from there. I ended up dropping out and working for Bell Aliant for 8 months, before moving to Riverview, NB. There I spent a year on maternity leave with my son and didn’t make any attempt to find work or make new friends. I just settled into a comfortable rut. Nearing the end of my maternity leave, I was offered a position as office assistant at a local golf course. At the time, I needed a job and with the nature of the business, I would have my winters off. I meant to stay 1 season. Six seasons later, I’m still in the same position, even after having gone to school to take Natural Nutrition, which I love and really excel at.

I can easily say that my biggest problem is fear of debt and failure. I have so many big ideas that I can’t decide which to pursue, and without a wealthy supporter in my back pocket, I get very intimidated with the idea of a huge loan to pay back. All this said, none of this gets me to where I want to be.

So, recently, instead of sitting around not pursuing any of my goals and ideas, I started to write. I have this blog and also submit letters regularly to the local newspaper. So far I have submitted 3, and 2 of them were published and printed under “Letter of the Day”. The 3^rd was only submitted recently, so it may still get in as well. I have always loved to write, especially when I feel passionately about something, so I figured that this was a good place to start.

The next step, on my journey out of “the rut” will be to choose one of my many ideas and take a chance on it. Otherwise I’ll never know how it would have turned out.

Some say that “Good things come to those who wait”, but I’m going to try and start living by “Good things come to those who make them happen.”