Green Vacinations?

The idea of Green Vaccinations has been popping up in the news lately and there is an increased awareness of potential risk factors and possible links to vaccination complications. One factor may be that in 1983, the CDC vaccination schedule from birth to six years totaled 18 vaccines. Today, it’s 50 - that is a big jump! View the complete vaccine schedule for 2009 here: http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/2009-schedule.htm.

This issue has caught my attention and here are a few things to consider when preparing to immunize your child:

*Discuss with your doctor which vaccines are necessary for your child. We are all different and one size doesn't fit all.
*Avoid immunizing when your child is sick or recently recovered from an illness.
*Consider boosting your child's immune system before, during and after the immunization by providing a healthy balanced diet, eliminating or reducing sugar and increasing natural whole food supplements.
*Do not give your child a vaccine containing thimerosal. Insist on thimerosal-free vaccines. Those on the CDC routine immunization schedule should be thimerosal-free. Those not on the routine schedule, including the flu shot, typically contain thimerosal. If you give the flu shot, a thimerosal-free version may need to be special-ordered by your pediatrician.
*Always ask for and review the vaccine’s package insert. Read the section on ingredients so you know what is in the vaccine and ask your doctor any questions. Check for the following potentially harmful ingredients, which are called adjuvants: aluminum, antibiotics, and formaldehyde. Additionally, if your child is allergic to monosodium glutamate (MSG) or eggs, let your doctor know, and check the package insert for these ingredients. Note that all flu vaccines and the MMR vaccine contain egg protein.
*Some recommend one vaccine per visit. This may require multiple office visits, but giving one at a time (such as one vaccine per month) reduces any complications from the interaction of multiple vaccines. It will also help you identify which vaccine caused a problem if there are any adverse reactions.

To find natural health care professionals and resources in your area, visit http://www.integrativepeds.org/

FOOD, INC. In Local Theaters

FOOD, INC. is being held over in local Indianapolis Theaters for Another Week! if you haven't had a chance to go see it (like me), we are in luck. Landmark Theatres will be showing "Food Inc." for another week. FOOD, INC. is a must see for everyone who cares about what we eat, how it is grown and buying local. Whether you are new or a long time supporter to buying local, sustainability, food miles, or supporting and knowing local food growers, this is a movie for everyone. I will be taking my children this weekend and look forward to reinforcing buying local and similar concepts.

• "Food Inc." is playing at Landmark Keystone Arts Theater (Keystone at the Crossing)tickets.landmarktheatres.com/Landmark.aspx today through August 20.
• Current showtimes are 4:15 and 9:45 pm
• The film is rated PG, and has a running time of 1 hr 33 min.

For more information about the film, go to www.foodincmovie.com/

Juicing - Healthy and Fun with Kids

We bought our family a Jack Lalanne juicer and it has been a huge hit! I am always looking for new ways to introduce fruit and veggies into our diet and the juicer does that in a fun way for the kids. My son, who has traditionally been the pickiest eater of my kids, was the biggest fan initially but now it is a daily request by all the kids. They love it and I know they are getting extra fruits and veggies in a fun way. I even sneak in veggies in sweeter fruits and they don't suspect a thing. Here are some of our favorite recipe's, please share yours...

handful strawberries
1 apple
1 small carrot

handful strawberries
handful raspberries
pineapple

carrot
fresh ginger
apple

carrot
cucumber
fresh ginger
apple

Organic Chemical Free Gardening

I think one of the hardest places to eliminate chemicals for a busy mom is in the flower bed! I stopped using chemical weed prevention on my flower garden a couple years ago and I admit it has made my hobby a little harder to keep in line. Last year my husband teased me that I had a weed garden instead of a flower garden... the ratio of weeds to flowers was taking over. However, eleminating chemicals in our gardens and on our lawns is a growing concern among green moms. Healthy Child Healthy World is one of the leading advocates for organic chemical free gardening and shares that some of these chemicals have been linked to childhood illnesses including cancer. I admit it is difficult not to give in to using chemicals, especially when removing weeds manually can be so time consuming. However, I am excited to say there may be a safer solution that will not only save me time but save my back as well. Call your local garden center and ask for organic corn meal, a safe alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. The Rocket Weeder I purchased last year and a good layer of mulch will also help me stay on my path of organic chemical free gardening... safer for my family and the planet. I'm looking forward to a relatively maintenance and weed free season without the traditional chemicals of the past.

Indy Baby and Toddler Expo

If you are looking for something to do this weekend... stop by the Indy Baby and Toddler Expo on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday April 26th at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. I will be there helping other moms and dads learn about some of the common chemicals found in our homes. If you attend, please be sure to stop by and say hello (booth 204 by the Daddy area). http://www.indybabyexpo.com

Earth Day in Indy With Kids

Tomorrow is Earth Day and has been a focus for our family all month. We have been checking out books at the library and planning Earth Day meetings/activities for Boy Scouts and my son's preschool. It is a great month to take advantage of the many opportunities to share Earth Day in Indy with kids. Your local library is a great resource to find books and movies on recycling, water pollution, organic farming and local food and much more. Here are some books we checked out: 50 simple things kids can do to recycle by Earth Works Group; Water Pollution by Rhonda Lucas Donald; Do you know where your food comes from? by Neil Morris; Endangered Planet by David Burnie and for your preschooler, 10 things I can do to help my world: fun and easy by Melanie Walsh.

If you are looking for some local activities for Earth Day in Indy, here are a few to check out...

Celebrate Trees! Arbor Day Friday, April 24th at the Indiana State Museum. Learn what trees do for us and what we can do for them. Live demo's with Tim Womick of Tree Family, Johnny Appleseed and special guest Rupert Boneham of Survivor. www.indianamuseum.org

Free Indianapolis Earth Day Festival – Saturday, April 25th from 11 am – 4 pm. Learn more at: http://www.earthdayindiana.org

Earth Movie – coming out Earth Day April 22, 2009. Check local listings (may be select theatres only) http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth

IMAX Under the Sea 3D – showing for a limited time. http://www.imax.com/indy/films/underthesea3d.htm

Indiana State Museum – Footprints Exhibit. http://www.indianamuseum.org/footprints

Earth Hour - Vote Earth With Family Fun

Tomorrow night people around the world will "vote earth" by participating in Earth Hour 2009. Many cities have pledged to turn out the lights but just as important, is the number of families that participate with their children. What are you doing for Earth Hour? I think the event is a great way to have some family fun and teach our children the importance of making good choices for the planet. Here are a couple family fun ideas to do in the dark for Earth Hour...

*flashlight tag
*hide and seek
*a family walk
*watch a movie in the dark
*eat a late dinner by candle light
*play a board game or cards by candle light
*invite family & friends over for a "Earth Hour" party

What ever you decide to do tomorrow night... I hope you will turn off the lights between 8:30 and 9:30 pm. Also, encourage your children to visit Earth Hour Kids, a special website just for kids. Then, make a plan to "vote earth" every day.