Breastfeeding - Consider Your Diet

By Kim Allissa

It takes nine months for babies to grow inside their
mothers. During this time of pregnancy, you pay careful
attention to what you eat and drink as you know there is the
potential to affect your unborn baby. When you are
breastfeeding, what you eat continues to be an important
consideration.

However, a breastfeeding diet is not as strict as a
pregnancy diet, although it is still important to know what
you should be ingesting during this time. That way, you can
rest assured that you will only be making the very best milk
for your baby.

Luckily, when you follow a diet that will help your baby,
you are also helping yourself! The foods that you will be
eating should give you the nutrition you need to deal with
your hectic schedule. By being conscious of what you are
eating, you can also make better choices that will allow you
to take off some of the weight that you have accumulated
during pregnancy.

So what breastfeeding diet should you follow? As at any
other time, you should be eating a diet that is
well-balanced. It is recommended that you eat all four food
groups, but mainly focus on whole grain products, protein,
vegetables, fruit, and foods that are high in calcium and
iron. And do not forget your fiber! You are likely to be
less physically active after the birth if you are spending a
lot of time seated to nurse your baby. However, if you are
not used to eating a lot of fiber, begin gradually!

Even though you plan to eat a well-balanced diet, it is also
advised that you take a good prenatal multivitamin/mineral
supplement. This will ensure that your body gets everything
that you may be missing in your diet, and results in less
chances of your body having to tap into its own reserves to
make good-quality breast milk.

When it comes to breastfeeding diets, you have no doubt
heard that you should avoid certain foods that can make your
baby fussy or gassy. However, no two babies are alike and so
what bothers one baby is not necessarily going to bother the
next one. Some babies do not even seem to be bothered by
foods their mothers eat. Some, but not all, suspicious
foods to monitor your baby's responses to are onions,
garlic, cabbage, and broccoli. These foods can alter the
taste of the breast milk resulting in rejection by your baby.

Continue not to eat fish such as king mackerel, swordfish,
and shark, to name a few, as they contain the most mercury.
Instead, consider eating fish (in moderation) that contain
less mercury, as their fish oils are important for your
baby's neurological system.

The last point I want to mention is that of drinking alcohol
beverages. Alcohol drinking mothers are better off not
breastfeeding their children, as there are known long-term
effects. But if you want to have a drink every now and then,
most experts would agree that there are certain precautions
you can take in order that you reduce the effects on your child.
This can include drinking immediately after your baby has just
breastfed, or saving expressed breast milk earlier that week
that can then be fed to your baby after you have an alcohol beverage.
Obviously the best thing to do is not drink alcohol at all.

In conclusion, there are not too many restrictions on a
breastfeeding mother. Most of it is common sense, and
mostly involves good judgment. Just remember that a
breastfeeding diet can benefit the mom and the baby.

My name is Kim Allissa, and I have been a breastfeeding
mother. Check out my blog,
(http://www.breastfeedingbaby.org) Breastfeeding Baby , for
more practical information and tips.

5 Basic Steps Daily To Look 5 Years Younger

By Charlotte Field

Our skin's primary purpose is to protect us. When we don't
take care of our skin, it can't do its job properly - and it
looks faded and dull. To look years younger, you must take
care of your skin each and every day. However, this does not
mean spending hours each morning in front of the mirror, or
purchasing a closet full of expensive gadgets and products
all promising to make you look 18 again.

By doing 5 basic steps each and every day, your skin will
begin to recover its luster and even its youthful glow.
Let's see what these 5 steps are.

1. Cleanse properly.

Your face needs to be cleansed both in the morning and again
in the evening. Your cleanser should be matched to your
skin type; a gel is often preferred for oily skin; a cream
is better for dry skin types. Your cleanser does not have
to foam to be effective, although if a sudsy face makes you
happy, go ahead and get a cleanser that foams. When you
apply your cleanser, be sure to follow the directions, using
a light touch, and washing gently for at least 30 seconds.
Then rinse well with clean water and pat dry. If you wear
make-up or heavy sunscreen, be sure to wash and rinse twice;
once to remove the make-up and the second time to get down
to business and cleanse your skin.

2. You need a good toner.

In order to fight those damaging "free radicals" we've been
hearing so much about, you'll need a good toner. Your toner
should create an antioxidant shield, balancing the skin's
protective barrier. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic
acid, which holds 1,000 times its weight in water, giving
your skin a real hydration boost. Other ingredients to look
for are vitamin C and white tea, both restorative and
calming. Be sure your toner is ph-balanced, especially if
your cleanser is not.

3. Exfoliate regularly.

A gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation is necessary to clear
dead skin cells from your skin's surface. Exfoliating helps
the skin renewal process and reveals a brighter, clearer
complexion. Exfoliating also allows moisturizers to
penetrate deeper into your skin. Exfoliation is good, but
more is not always better. Be careful not to over-exfoliate
or scrub your skin harshly. If you have oily skin,
over-exfoliating will cause the oil glands to over-produce
oil to compensate for the oil that you have stripped away.
Obviously this can cause more clogging and more shine on an
already oily face. So, exfoliate often, but gently, and your
skin will love you for it.

4. Keep that moisturizer coming.

Hydrate and feed your skin with a good moisturizer. Choose
a quality moisturizer that offers protection from the
elements for your skin , plus offers your skin a good dose
of nutrition along with moisture. Look for vitamins A, C,
and E, yeast, and other ingredients that would "feed" your
face just like you feed your body. Even if your skin is
oily, you still need a good moisturizer to give your face a
healthy dose of nutrition.

5. Sunscreen is for every day.

The daily use of a good sunscreen is your number one defense
against aging skin. About 99% of all the signs of aging can
be directly linked to sun damage. With a little bit of
prevention, you skin can look younger longer. Even simple
day-to-day living exposes you face to the sun, even walking
to your car and, yes, driving in your car. The windshield
is not a sunblock! Check your morning moisturizer to be
sure it contains a sunscreen of 15 SPF. If it does not, be
sure to add a good sunscreen on top of your moisturizer
before you leave the house. If your plans have you outside
for a longer time than normal, be sure to apply one of the
FDA-approved sunscreens. Look for titanium dioxide or zinc
oxide on the label.

What else can you do to look and feel years younger?

Now, just add a bit of regular exercise, healthy food, and
plenty of water to your diet, and you're well on your way to
a glowing complexion. Follow this daily skincare routine
and treat your skin to monthly professional analysis and
treatments with your Skin Care Specialist and that person
smiling back at you in the mirror will look younger and
happier.

Charlotte Field is a Skin Care Specialist offering
(http://www.facialsbycharlotte.com) Facials in Pensacola,
Florida. She specializes in Anti-aging, Relaxation and
Results. Call her today to schedule an appointment at
(http://www.facialsbycharlotte.com/services.html)

Bisphosphonates, X-Rays and Your Jaw

It amazes me that - for the most part - people who have been prescribed the bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs have no knowledge that these drugs have serious risks.

One of the main risks is that they are based in fluoride compounds. Fluoride is known to cause this type of reaction - that is "swiss cheese" bone structure that leads to brittle and weak bones.

Now it seems that medical pundits want you to be exposed to cancer causing ionizing radiation in x-ray diagnosis of the problem of rotting jaw bone, a serious side effect of these drugs.

In order to prevent reliance on the drugs that are commonly used in medical care for osteoporosis, we have developed a protocol that is based on natural treatment and people who choose it, after we provide them with the educational material that is required, seem to do very well with getting healthier bones.

X-rays Help Predict Permanent Bone Damage From Bisphosphonates

ScienceDaily (2009-05-12) -- Bisphosphonates have been found to place people at risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaws (a rotting of the jaw bones). Dentists, as well as oncologists, are now using X-rays to detect "ghost sockets" in patients that take these drugs and when these sockets are found, it signals that the jawbone is not healing the right way. Early detection of these ghost sockets can help the patient avoid permanent damage to their jawbone. ... > read full article

Aerobic Exercise - How To Prevent Injuries

Aerobics are great exercises to do to get your heart pumping and your body sweating. You can use aerobic exercises in order to lose weight, build endurance, and stay heart healthy. However, there is also a downside to aerobic exercising for some people. If you are not careful, you could get injured due to aerobic exercise. Therefore, it is important to follow these tips to making sure you are exercising and using aerobics in a fun and healthy way for your body.

First and foremost, when you are doing aerobics consider your dress. Wearing good shoes is important. Aerobics require lots of movement, so when you have worn shoes or laces that come untied often, there is a good chance you may slip and fall. You should also consider the other articles of clothing you’re wearing. If they are too constricting or too heavy, you may become more easily overheated. Your clothing should breathe well and not be too tight in order to prevent you from injury.

Also consider your workout area, especially if you are working out at home. When you’re at home, you’ll need to make sure that your area is large enough for you to move and not bang into anything. It is also crucial that you service your workout equipment to make sure that it is in the best shape possible and will not cause injury. Your workout area at home should also be clean. When you workout, you sweat a lot and breathe heavily, so if you’re doing that in a dirty environment, you could pick up some nasty bacteria or viral infections.

Another tip to staying safe is to not push yourself too much. While it is important to push yourself in order to have the best and most intense workout possible. When you push yourself too hard, however, you may find yourself pulling muscles, experiencing cramps, or otherwise injuring your body.

Your doctor can tell you more about how to stay safe while exercising. Remembering to warm up and cool down is necessary, as is doing the right exercises for your body, age, and gender. When you work out, you should feel your best, not be worried about injury.

Staying safe is important. If you are hurt, you won’t be able to do aerobics while you recover, and you will miss out on days or even weeks of training. If your health is important to you, that should include your safety, so take measures to being safe whenever you hit the gym to do your aerobics workout.

Alex Geerman Sexy Model

Why Health Care is So Costly

I guess this means that Quaker Oats is a drug too. Better watch those little kids eating their morning oatmeal or Cheerios, they're now all addicts and have to be referred to the Drug Czar's office...

Popular cereal is a drug, US food watchdog says
Tue May 12, 2009

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Popular US breakfast cereal Cheerios is a drug, at least if the claims made on the label by its manufacturer General Mills are anything to go by, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

"Based on claims made on your product's label, we have determined that your Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal is promoted for conditions that cause it to be a drug," the FDA said in a letter to General Mills which was posted on the federal agency's website Tuesday.

Cheerios labels claim that eating the cereal can help lower bad cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, by four percent in six weeks.

Citing a clinical study, the product labels also claim that eating two servings a day of Cheerios helps to reduce bad cholesterol when eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, the FDA letter says.

Those claims indicate that Cheerios -- said by General Mills to be the best-selling cereal in the United States -- is intended to be used to lower cholesterol and prevent, lessen or treat the disease hypercholesterolemia, and to treat and prevent coronary heart disease.

"Because of these intended uses, the product is a drug," the FDA concluded in its letter.

Not only that, but Cheerios is a new drug because it has not been "recognized as safe and effective for use in preventing or treating hypercholesterolemia or coronary heart disease," the FDA said.

That means General Mills may not legally market Cheerios unless it applies for approval as a new drug or changes the way it labels the small, doughnut-shaped cereal, the FDA said.

General Mills defended the claims on Cheerios packaging, saying in a statement that Cheerios' soluble fiber heart health claim has been FDA-approved for 12 years, and that its "lower your cholesterol four percent in six weeks" message has been featured on the box for more than two years.

The FDA's quibble is not about whether Cheerios cereal is good for you but over "how the Cheerios cholesterol-lowering information is presented on the Cheerios package and website," said General Mills.

"We look forward to discussing this with FDA and to reaching a resolution."

Meanwhile, the FDA warned in its letter that if General Mills fails to "correct the violations" on its labels, boxes of Cheerios could disappear from supermarket and wholesaler shelves around the United States and the company could face legal action.

According to General Mills, one in eight boxes of cereal sold in the United States is a box of Cheerios. The cereal debuted on the US market in 1941.

Copyright © 2009 Agence France Presse.

Natural Health Tip - PPI

For most people who would like a natural replacement for anti-acid drugs start first by getting a true evaluation of the hydrochloric acid level in your stomach.

If it is low then consider using Betaine HCl supplements.

In addition, consider that drinking fluids with a meal lowers the available HCl and digestive enzymes produced by your body to help in digestion and metabolism. Drink liquids before you eat, chew your food very thoroughly, and wait a good hour or so to drink more liquid.

Using high quality digestive enzymes, like our full spectrum blend, with each meal will help substantially especially if you are older than 35.

A taste of Celtic salt, a cayenne capsule, a glass of apple cider vinegar tea or just sipping a glass of tepid water will go a long way to improve the acid problem you may be facing.

Another good suggestion is to use bitters. Contact us for our effective formula.