Newton Crib Mattress Giveaway! Valued at $295

Bottled water... Just the facts

by Wheels For Wishes

For more information about the safety of your municipality's tap water, click here.

Word of the Day

BUILDING KINGDOM HEALTH

Word of the Day

Monday:  Health

Tuesday:  Wellness

Wednesday:  Spiritual

Thursday:  Nutrition

Friday:  Biblical

Saturday:  Holistic

Sunday:  Peace

 

Best of the Burghosphere 2015 in Pittsburgh!

Today kicks off National Blog Post Month and the Best of the Burghosphere 2015 in Pittsburgh. If you're a blogger and your city isn't doing something similar, perhaps it should. No, not perhaps. It definitely should.

What is the Best of the Burghosphere? It's...

• a celebration of Pittsburgh bloggers
• an award ceremony
• a chance to see what Pittsburgh has to offer in the blogosphere
• an opportunity to meet other bloggers in the area
• fun
• an opportunity to step out of our comfort zone

It's even a fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the MWFA Resident Artists project.

Those of us participating were assigned each others' blogs at random. We were to familiarize ourselves with the blog and come up with a creative award for the blogger. We will be gathering at an awards ceremony later this month.

I decided a few months ago to participate. That was before I knew I would be committed to caring for my 5 YO grandson while his mama (my daughter) was away caring for her newborn (soon to be adopted) daughter. Lots of stuff's been happening as we prepared for my new grandbaby's arrival, knowing she would be in the hospital for awhile after her birth. Even more has been happening postpartum.

What an awful time for someone to be checking out my blog and coming up with a category for me worthy of an award. Blogger Most Likely to Flake Out or Blogger Most Likely to Stop Posting are just a couple of awards I seem worthy of these days. Seriously. I do hope whoever was assigned to Green Grandma dug a little bit deeper into the blog to find some meaty stuff there.

But what about the blog I was assigned to? Well, let me tell you, I hit the link and was immediately intimidated. Let's face it -- we mommy bloggers are pretty much all about personality. Yes, we post informative, vital info, but for the most part, we're out there with our day-to-day business. There doesn't seem to be much that we hide. I think that's one of the appeals of mommy bloggers -- and yes, even though I'm a grandma and don't have any little ones underfoot (until these past couple of weeks), I'm still considered a mommy blogger due to my style and content.

Then there's Cerebral-Overload.com, the blog assigned to me. Oh dear. The title is an understatement! At least for someone like me who reviews cloth diapers, not technology! I have to admit, I was overwhelmed and, like I said, intimidated when I first visited the site. This is nothing like the pale pastels and pictures of cute babies and cuddly animals I was used to seeing.

What in the world was I supposed to do with this?

Then I delved a bit deeper and discovered this to be a rather helpful site for times when I'm looking for a thorough review of something I normally wouldn't review. Like the Innoo Tech LED Shower Head Review posted recently. And if I want to find out how something fares environmentally, I just have to type "green" into the search bar and all sorts of goodies pop up. Like this article: Three Clean, Green Tips for a Brighter Holiday (and a Better World). Wow. There's something for me there after all. No, it might not be adorned with ribbons and kiddisms (cute things our kids say), but it's good, solid information that's well-written and straightforward. 

Which brings us to the Award. Cerebral-Overload is the Blogger I'm Bookmarking for When I'm Ready to Buy my Next Green Car. There are some really awesome car reviews here, folks, and I highly recommend you check it out. Seriously. 

So how about that? Green Grandma, who had a major cerebral overload when first visiting the site, has found more than enough reasons to bookmark it. Cool.

I hope you'll take some time to visit the Best of the Burghosphere 2015 in Pittsburgh and see what other great blogs are out there that just might take you out of your comfort zone the way Cerebral-Overload.com initially took me out of mine. And you'll want to check out the creative awards being given. I, for one, can't wait to see mine!

Keeping it green as much as I can,

Weekend Quote 10 -- from The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents

 

Photo by Jourden C

"Consider the changes teenagers are going through when they do something rebellious or act out in rudeness or insincerity. Hormonal changes can cause mood swings, bouts of crying, heightened sensitivity, and inappropriate laughter. Cut your kids some slack the next time they explode -- when all you did was ask what they would like for dinner."

~Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents

Green Grandma Hero Award

Since I've been caring for my 5 YO grandson while his mama is in the hospital caring for her newborn soon-to-be adopted daughter, I've gained a new respect for all you mommy bloggers out there. Even though I'm considered a mommy blogger, it's due to my target audience, rather than my personal status -- that of a grandma with no children at home.

Let me tell you... this trying to squeeze in blog posts (including research, etc.) is no easy task when you have trips to pre-school in the afternoon with only 1.5 hours in between (if you add in travel time), feeding a 5 YO, dishes, laundry, story time, bath time, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc., etc.

You guys rock!

So today, my Green Grandma Hero Award goes out to all the mommy bloggers out there who are managing to juggle it all.

You go, girls!

Welcoming Grandbaby #5

Okay, so how much love can this grandma pour into my newest grandbaby? You would think by grandbaby #5, the whole gushing over these little ones would be over. But no. Not even close.

Maybe it's because this one is particularly special. She didn't come to us in the usual way.

This past Sunday night, I sat in a waiting room at the hospital praying. Labor was going slowly. I was prepared for a extremely long night when, suddenly, I hear my daughter and son-in-law say, "Congratulations, Grandma!" I looked up and they were beaming. Their daughter had been born just minutes earlier.

Wait... their daughter. And they were telling me about it? Yes. And showing me pictures as well. You see, my daughter was right there when her soon-to-be adopted daughter came into this world. How wonderful is that?

She planned to do skin-to-skin with her newborn, but this precious little girl was whisked off to the NICU for a variety of reasons. Without going into any more detail, just know that my newest granddaughter has captured my heart. No, she's not related by blood. But she's related by heart and that is all that matters.

She'll be in the hospital for awhile and my daughter will be right there beside her 24/7. In the meantime, I'll be caring for her 5 YO, my grandson, and doing miscellaneous things in her house, like carrying rotten fruit to the compost and watering some neglected plants. For months now, it's been all about the baby; especially these last few weeks. The waiting was excruciating at times. We just couldn't wait to meet this new little one... this little girl who would enrich our family with her very presence. 

I am so blessed. 

Ten cities where you can skip filtering the water

Photo by Maliz Ong

Did you know that New York City's tap water is on the list for some of the best tap water in the country? That's good news for all you New Yorkers! According to an article by Michael Y. Park in the September/October issue of Rodale's Organic Life magazine, "More than 1 billion daily gallons of sweet, mineral-rich water travels over 125 miles from carefully guarded Catskill Mountains reservoirs." Hmmm. I honestly didn't know that any tap water was considered especially safe to drink. We filter ours.

Of course, for the environmental nightmare caused by plastic water bottles, I encourage you to use them as little as possible. Once you get used to carrying reusable bottles, it becomes second nature and buying bottles of water is usually unnecessary.

Here are the top 10 cities listed in Park's article for having the best tap water:

• New York City, New York
• Stevens Point, Wisconsin (Not sure about this one, as it's treated with chlorine, fluoride, and phosphate -- doesn't sound like something I'd want to drink, but I could be wrong.)
• Chicago, Illinois
• Denver, Colorado
• Manchester, New Hampshire
• Fort Collins, Colorado
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Silverdale, Washington (Apparently the deep Green Mountain aquifer is so pure, treatment is unnecessary. How awesome is that?)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Louisville, Kentucky

If you live in any of the top 10 tap water cities, perhaps filtering isn't necessary. What do you think? Do you live in any of these cities?

Learn more about your municipality's tap water by clicking here.

Weekend Quote 9 -- from The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents

"The bottom line is to keep it plain and simple. Say "I love you" to your child [or grandchild] because you want to say it -- because you feel love toward your child, and because it feels good to say it. More often than not, you'll hear it said back."

~Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents 

Foods and Brain Health -- What's the connection?

Did you know there is now a diet for your brain? The MIND diet was developed by researchers in Chicago at Rush University. MIND is an acronym for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, and the claim is that those who follow the diet have a 35 percent lower risk of Alzheimer's; even those who do so half-heartedly.

Image by Peter Griffin

It's similar to a Mediterranean diet full of fish, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Oh, and let's not forget that glass of wine with dinner each night. The MIND diet also adds berries and leafy greens.

Majid Fotuhi, M.D., medical director of NeuroGrow Brain Fitness Center and affiliate staff at Johns Hopkins Medicine states, "Follow the Mediterranean or the MIND diets and your mind will be sharper in six months -- and less susceptible to Alzheimer's disease decades later." That's a pretty powerful statement, don't you think? Even if you only consume a few of these, your brain is bound to be all the better for it.

So what is the diet? Here are the four categories:

• Olive oil, green tea** and leafy greens like kale, spinach, and broccoli)
• These are antioxidants that help fight inflammation. Inflammation in the long run can cause damage to the brain. This category gives me a bit of trouble as I'm not a fan of leafy greens. I'll eat spinach raw in salads, but I don't like it cooked. I'm not a fan of kale, and I HATE broccoli (I know, I know, it's good for me... it doesn't matter. I hate it.**And green tea should NOT be consumed by anyone with stomach issues (I have an ulcer, which is not active right now thanks to apple cider vinegar) or with any kind of anxiety issues. Guess I'll have to load up on olive oil.

•  Tomatoes, beets and avocados
• Uh oh. I'm in trouble again, as I don't eat beets or avocados. Apparently, they're important because they help with increased blood flow to the brain. This promotes neuron growth in the part of the brain associated with learning and memory.

• Pomegranates, curcumin (turmeric), and nuts (especially walnuts)
• Okay. I'm in better shape here. I take turmeric supplements twice a day and use the spice whenever possible. For instance, I add it to my scrambled eggs in the morning. And I love nuts. I'm chomping down some walnuts as I write this. Phew. These foods help the brain to battle amyloid plaques, which will kill neurons and create inflammation which will kill more neurons. That's lose-lose situation.

• Fish (ehh), blueberries (I like them in muffins), grapes (yea!), coffee (super yea!) and ... wait for it... dark chocolate (YES!)
• Based on most of these, my brain's going to be super healthy! Called "nutrient powerhouses," these foods can raise the level of BDNF. You know what that is, right? Nah, I didn't either. It stands for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that supports the growth of all those things the amyloid plaques were killing off -- neurons. Fotuhi calls them "Miracle-Gro for the brain." Now, we all know that we're to steer clear of the actual Miracle-Gro with all it's Scott's nastiness, but this is different. According to Fotuhi, "Stimulating the release of BDNF not only reverses the effects of aging, but also triggers the brain to make more neurons." That's a good thing. 

 So... the MIND diet is worthy of considering, even if you're not yet "over-the-hill" and aren't worrying about Alzheimer's or dementia at this point. Can anyone say "Mommy brain"?

Perhaps it's time to grab a handful of walnuts... and don't forget the wine!

 
 

Has it really been 40 years?

Forty years ago, I was into my second month of my freshman year of college. I was young, idealistic, and excited about the future.

My alma mater.

In two days, I'll be attending my 40th high school reunion. Ouch. How exactly did that happen?? Forty years. Forty years!! For all of you young parents out there, let me warn you about something. It happens quickly. You don't think that's possible when you're home surrounded by piles of laundry and dirty diapers, when your colicky infant simply will not sleep, when your spouse is working late, or you're going the single parent route, and you simply need a break... nothing seems to be moving quickly, does it? But wait until the first day of kindergarten. Or your daughter's first prom. Or your son's high school graduation. You'll understand then. It's like, "Oh yeah, this is what she was talking about... it's the blink of an eye."

It really is like that. You close your eyes and wake up and it's 40 years later. 

I look in the mirror, happy with some things I see and distraught over others. I ask myself why I didn't try to lose weight before today. I check out those godawful bags under my eyes. I stretch the skin on my neck to no avail (it slips right back into those telltale wrinkles). 

But then I look into the mirror of what really matters -- where my life has taken me over the last 40 years, and I smile, confident that my soul will outshine my aging face and figure. Of course, it will. 

I mentally list my professional accomplishments and am pleased. Am I where I want to be career-wise? Absolutely not. But I'm on my way and I'm working toward goals I've had since I was a child. At this point, in addition to writing and publishing Vinegar Fridays, I've also published 84 children's books, and am under contract for more (www.iStorybooks.co). I speak to various groups and at writers' conferences. I run a successful monthly writing group. And, I'm respected by my peers. 

Wrinkles? Yeah. A thick middle? You betcha. But it's okay. The high school bullies, some of which still act that way from what I hear, can take their best shot. But they won't get anywhere this time. I'll be rocking my confidence and a new pair of some pretty kicka** boots.

Wish me luck!

Buildex Super Scoot Giveaway!

The Buildex Super Scoot is going to be one of the hottest toys this holiday season.

 

The Buildex™ line of wood performance riding vehicles utilize high quality designs and exceptional innovation resulting in breakthrough fun and adventure. Using our exclusive connecting systems, Buildex™ riding vehicles assemble safely and securely with no need for tools. Cool steering and suspension functions make for amazing rides! - BuildexSystems.com

 

To read more about this awesome ride on toy  

click here

You have the chance to enter to win (1) Buildex Super Scoot! 

Be sure to come back daily for more entries 

to increase your chances of winning. 

 

Brought to you by:

MamatheFox

co-hosted by:

Green Grandma ♦ Mom Junky ♦ Canadian Basics 

♦ Take It or Leave It...the opinions of one

  Buildex Super Scoot

 

Disclosure: MamatheFox and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Please contact mamathefox@gmail.com with any questions about this giveaway or to sponsor your own event.

God's Waiting Room (anyone else tired of counting the flowers on the wallpaper?)

It seems I've spent an awful lot of time in God's waiting room. Back in the '80s, I remember commenting to someone that I'd already counted every flower on the wallpaper of the aforementioned waiting room and I was ready to move on. Of course, sometimes we don't have a choice. 

Some of the worst God's waiting room times for me when I was waiting on a baby. I carried mine for way too long, back in the days before they induced the minute after your due date. Baby number one was due on August 29th and born exactly one month later; baby number two was due on May 12th and born on June 9th; and baby number three was due on June 9th and I was induced on June 25th. Who knows how long that one would have lasted had I not been induced.

Then there was the waiting on the grandbabies. Going to bed at night wondering if the phone was going to ring. It's maddening, actually. But it's part of life when you're blessed enough to have children and grandchildren.

Sometimes the waiting rooms are for jobs, or diagnoses, or for prodigals to make their way back home. Sometimes there is heartbreak ahead or simply in the very act of waiting.

God's waiting room -- a time to be still and wait for answers or for action. A time to listen and to learn. A time to develop character. Perhaps it's not a bad place to be after all.

While I wait (I'll tell you what for as soon as the door opens), I'm wondering, what are you waiting for?

It's working... and you're the reason why

Things aren't looking good for Monsanto these days. More and more countries are joining in the ban on GMOs, people are recognizing the dangers of Roundup, stocks are dropping (as of Tuesday, stock prices fell 30% since February), and the company has been forced to layoff 11.6% of its workforce worldwide. Oh, and the American Academy of Pediatrics cut their ties with them.

Why is this? 

Because of you and me. It's as simple as that. As we become more educated, we make better choices. As we make better choices, companies pay attention and start changing their ways. Remember when Cheerios went GMO-free? 

And it's not just Monsanto that's hurting. It's also the companies who produce chemically-laden baby and personal care products. Look at Target and the other stores that are trying to rid their shelves of toxic products. I'd like to say it's because they care about the consumer, but most likely it's because they care about the bottom line. Profit. 

Our voices are being heard as our wallets do the talking. 

Even Campbell's Soups will soon be free of artificial colors, artificial flavors, and BPA. Hmm. Hershey's is switching to non-GMO sugar. Hellman's switched to non-GMO mayo.

Just this week I learned that Aldi is getting rid of artificial colors, MSG, and partially hydrogenated oils. Hooray! That means more families will be protected from things that are harmful to their health, even if they don't realize or care.

It means more and more budget-minded moms can buy healthier foods for their kids.

It means companies will have to change their production practices to keep up with the demand.

And who made these demands? We did. And I for one am so d**n proud.

How about you?

Keep up the good work.

It's Potty Training Time! Let's Celebrate with a Trimsies Trainer Pattern Giveaway!

It's that time for one of my granddaughters. Potty training time! What fun. And believe me, there will be no toxin-laden Pull-Ups used to achieve the task.
 

Potty training can be a difficult time if you don't find the right style of training pants to use with your little one. Although there are many training pants commercially available to purchase in stores and online, if you like to sew, you may find it easier to DIY cloth training pants. 

The Trimsies Trainer pattern has 5 different sizes, 4 different styles, with a total of 54 pages of patterns and instructions/details. The ideas listed in the instructions offer something for everyone. 

Read the review of Latched On Mom's experience using this pattern and testing out the trainers she made, as well as some helpful sewing tips.  

Here is a giveaway for a Trimsies cloth trainer pattern valued at $8 (PDF download). Kimmy's Snabric is helping sponsor this giveaway with $20 store credit to one lucky winner! That way you can get pretty much everything needed to make a couple trainers yourself! Keep up to date with all the updates, as well as more special deals/promotions by LIKING the Trimsies Facebook page and don't forget to join the Kimmy's Snabric Facebook group.

Enter the competition by filling out the form below.  The winner will be emailed, announced here in the giveaway widget once closed and I'll put a shout out to the winner on my Facebook page so make sure to sign in with the email address you check most often! You will only have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Must be 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Giveaway will run from 10/03/15-10/17/15. Open to US only. 
GOOD LUCK!!! 

Trimsies Pattern & Kimmy's Snabric Giveaway
 

Latched On Mom and other participating bloggers did not receive compensation to promote this giveaway. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media. Prize fulfillment is the sponsor's responsibilty. If you have any questions about this giveaway, or have a product you'd like for me to review, please email latchedonmom(at)gmail(dot)com.

Weekend Quote 8 from The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents

"Giving children tasks that are real and that help your family function may encourage your kids to do them more often. They will enjoy the sense of accomplishment that new responsibility brings them. Learning responsibility is a lifelong process that begins at home. Understand that kids' capacity for responsibility is incremental, and they must learn the skills necessary to become responsible people. With patience and guidance, they'll be mowing the lawn and vacuuming in no time!"

~Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents 

Vinegar Friday -- Getting ready to paint

TGIVF!

It's Vinegar Friday! Every month, we celebrate vinegar on the first Friday. It's amazing to me that I keep discovering new uses for vinegar. If you have any I haven't covered here or in my book, I would love for you to send them to me. Or, if you'd like to guest post about vinegar, shoot me an email.

 
We're going to be working on some painting projects over the next week or so. Naturally, that means I needed to look up some painting-related vinegar tips and I thought I'd share them with you.



For many of us, when we start to pull out supplies, we discovered the dreaded zombie paintbrushes -- stiff, misshaped, and... well... pretty much dead. Allow vinegar to resurrect them by boiling a cup of distilled white vinegar (DWV). Immerse the bristles in the boiling liquid and let the vinegar perform it's magic for 10 minutes. Wash the brush with soapy water and rinse well. It will be good as new without resorting to toxic turpentine fumes!

Before putting that paintbrush to the walls or furniture, make sure you clean off all the dust, dirt, and mildew (this is important for garage sale finds or attic/basement treasures in need of a touchup). Undiluted DWV eradicates mildew and makes it easier to remove caked on dust, so just dampen a cloth or sponge with it and wipe away. 

If plaster repairs are necessary prior to painting, you can help to keep it from hardening by adding 2 tablespoons of DWV to the mix. This will help you apply a smooth finish.

Grease is a problem in kitchens and on kitchen cabinets. Before painting, get rid of the grease by cleaning it off with vinegar. Make sure you find and clean any greasy fingerprints because, like oil and water, they will emerge through the paint when you're done like the ghosts of Christmas past.

Finally, no matter which kind of paint you use, there will be some fumes. Of course, you should always paint in a well-ventilated area. But what about when you're done? How do you keep the fumes from affecting you and your family? Simply place a few small bowls of DWV around the room and let the vinegar soak up the fumes for a few days.

There you have it. Painting tips on Vinegar Friday. Now... wish us luck. I hate to paint.

Keeping it green with vinegar,

Word of the Day

Sunday -- Thankfulness

Monday -- Gratitude

Tuesday -- Cherish

Wednesday -- Memories

Thursday -- Tradition

Friday -- Meal

Saturday -- Gathering

The loss of a child... by choice

Thirty-five years ago right now, I was in the midst of a 21-hour labor. I had a terrible cold, which prevented my breathing through my nose. As the tissues piled up beside me on the bed, the pain increased. The hospital nurses had me lying flat for hours, despite my urge to be upright. Finally, when the shift change happened at 3:00, I was encouraged to sit up, as "it would speed things along." How frustrating. It wasn't until they broke my water at 6:00 p.m., however, that things really started progressing. 

What makes my labor stand out, however, isn't the method or the length or anything like that. It was the fact that I wouldn't be walking out of the hospital with a newborn in my arms. Nope. Someone else would be her mommy. Someone else would feed her and change her and wipe her runny nose. Someone else would see the first smile, photograph the first steps, hear the first, "I love you, Mommy." These were excruciatingly painful thoughts for me. For years, I imagined where my daughter was, what she was doing. For years, I longed to hold her in my arms again.

Yet, this was my choice. Uninfluenced by anyone else, I chose to give her life and then to give her away. 

Even though I am one, or perhaps because I have an intimate understanding of them, birth mothers are heroes in my eyes. Please don't think I'm trying to toot my own horn here. Just because I'm part of this special club doesn't mean I shouldn't admire the other moms out there who have been, or will be going through this. It's like AA for those of you who are alcoholics. Don't you celebrate others' milestones of sobriety?

Well, today, I celebrate the birth mothers out there who selflessly put their babies' well being above their own desires. Wouldn't it be easier to simply abort these "unwanted" children? Of course. Wouldn't it be easier, in some ways, to change your mind and take that baby home with you? Perhaps. But love isn't about what easiest, is it? A mother's love transcends convenience and desire. A mother's love is sacrificial.

So today, as I honor the sisterhood of birth mothers, I think about the child I gave up for adoption, and I smile. Some choices are cause for celebration.

Full moons and rainy days... so that's why the kiddos are cranky

It's a dismal rainy Monday here in Western PA. Makes me think of Karen Carpenter singing,

What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong, feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around, some kind of lonely clown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

Apparently there was something to the lyrics of this song. Apparently, rainy weather can bring out the worst, not only in adults, but in children, too. If your kids are acting especially cranky, blame it on the weather!

In 1898, Edwin G. Dexter conducted a research study in several schools in Denver, Colorado. He found that in over 600 corporal punishment cases, weather was clearly a key factor. But there is even more recent evidence indicating that a change in barometric pressure is directly responsible for kids acting up.

Since children's brains are not quite developed yet, falling barometric pressure creates an atmosphere that constricts capillaries, reducing the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain, according to Dr. Maria Simonson of Johns Hopkins.

This goes with stormy weather as well as full moons. That means, following last night's blood moon, kids are in for a double whammy here in Pittsburgh. Look out!

The fact is that full moons and falling barometers affect many. We already know that maternity wards fill up when the moon is full, but did you know that the jails fill up, too. Domestic violence cases soar, as do bar fights, and even murders. According to Michael Zimecki, of the Polish Academy of Sciences, lunar activity influences both behavior and health.

I could cite study after study, but let's face it -- the only thing that concerns you right now is that toddler bouncing off the walls, or the whiny teenager who's suddenly crying at the drop of a hat (or iPhone, which might be worth crying about). 

Is there a solution? Not that I know of. But knowledge is power, right? And I'm arming you with the knowledge that today, all over the world and especially in Western PA and other rainy places, you might need an extra boost of patience... both for your kiddos and for yourself. After all, rainy days and Mondays and full moons affect us all.

Wishing you well,

Why not let Karen soothe you? Maybe she can even calm the kiddos.