Parent's Speak Out About Food Allergies

This video made me cry. It's our life. Every day.

Field Trip (s)

I've been field trip mom over the last couple of school days. I took 128 pictures of yesterday's trip. No, I won't post all of them here (were you scared??). But here's a quick summary.



Yesterday's trip started off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The kids were given a "music lesson" and learned about different types of instruments. We all got to play air guitar (I'm not sure I've ever done that before).



Outside the Rock Hall. Where do 5 and 6 year olds learn to do "rock n roll" hands?



Then we moved on to The Cleveland Browns Stadium. I'm a Steeler's Fan (currently NOT a fan of Big Ben) and felt like I was in enemy territory. The things we do for our kids...



Then on to Progressive Field (which will always be "The Jake" to me). The kids were wearing down by this time but were pumped back up by Slider.



We love you Slider! (Poor Slider got mugged yesterday by 17 six year olds)



Silly face photo with Slider.

Last week on Earth Day they went to an Alzheimer's care facility to put on a performance for the residents. This tells you how slow I am. The whole time we were practicing the Little Man's part in his play about garbage and recycling I thought "Why are they doing a play about garbage for these old people"?? Earth Day. Recycling. Took me 2 weeks to pick up on that. Maybe I better book a room there now...



Some kids are wearing cans and some kids are wearing card board around their necks because they were the "garbage".



These were the "recycling kids".



Happy Earth Day!!

What are you made of? I'm about to find out

A few weeks ago I received a free personal DNA test from Pathway Genomics to review. This is not something that I ever thought that I would take part in but I have some questions and once it was presented to me, it seemed like the best way to get my questions answered.

You know when you go to the doctor and they ask you for your family history? There is a small portion of my family history that I'm not that familiar with. So questions like "Do you have a family history of breast cancer?" usually get answered "no" by me, because there is no box to check that says "I don't really know for sure".

Then there are the things that I do know about. We do have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, liver disease, etc. But do I need to be concerned about these things? I just turned forty. And up to this point I hadn't been all that concerned. But now that I'm getting older I need to take better care of myself. Is there something that I may need to focus on more than something else? Who knows. Most of the time it's a crap shoot. You do the best you can and hope that you are concentrating on the right areas.

But a test like a personal DNA can give you these answers. So when they asked me try it, I said sure.

I did have reservations. What if the test told me I had the gene for breast cancer (or some other kind of cancer)? What if the test told me all kinds of things that were really scary? After doing some research on it, I found out that the test gives you information. It's what you do with that information that really affects the outcome. Just because you have the gene for a certain kind of cancer doesn't mean you will get that cancer. But at least you are armed with that knowledge (and you can arm your physician with that knowledge) to help with better early detection and prevention. The unknown is scarier than the known.

Pathway Genomics sent me the testing kit. It's a little vial that you "spit" in (I know, not very lady like but not invasive either), a sheet with your information and testing kit number and prepaid Fed Ex return mailer. You activate your kit on line and answer a series of questions (I think it took me about 15-20 minutes to do that). Follow the directions for "spitting" in the vial. Seal up the Fed Ex envelope and drop it in the nearest Fed Ex box. It takes about 8 weeks for the results to come back.

The price of the test is not cheap and it's not something usually covered by insurance so this is not a "fun" thing to do in your spare time. It's something that is done by people who are serious about knowing any genetic health risks they may have. You can find out more about pricing for each service offered here. I will say however, that after researching other types of genetic testing, this one was one of the most affordable that I had found. A full list of conditions that can be tested for can be found here.

Another service offered by Pathway Genomics and their genetic testing is Ancestory Testing. This has a price tag on it also, but to me, this would be a fun and interesting test to take. The testing "provide both maternal and paternal ancestry information, so you can learn where your ancestors originated and view their migration patterns across the continents over time. We will also provide you with information about your ethnic makeup, telling you the different cultural backgrounds that are represented in your genetic profile".

My results are still out. My genes and my ancestors are still a mystery to me. But I'm interested to find out all the information that I can.

To learn more about genetic research go to National Human Genome Research Institute.

Oh the weather outside is...beautiful

but not for my head. It's warm, it's cold, it's raining, it's snowing, it's sunny...it's spring. And all this crazy weather is making my migraines go bonkers. So I've been absent because I've been trying to stay off the computer. The computer doesn't help my head.

We are here and essentially all fine. The Little Man seems to have gotten past the trauma of his allergic reaction.

The irony is that Sunday night Older Boy got sick. At 3 AM. In his bed. EVERYWHERE. It was very similar to the Little Man and if it hadn't been for the Little Man's sneezing and running nose and the fact that Benadryl halted it (and Older Boy's 99 degree fever the next day) I would have sworn they had the same thing. It took me all week to get Older Boys room back the way it was. Did I say it was BAD it was B.A.D. Need tips on getting vomit out of a mattress?? Use the tips and products found in this EHow article. It's what finally did the trick. You can get the products expedited to your house. Shipping will cost more than the products themselves in some cases, but it's much less than a new mattress. I'm just saying...

Other than that I've been trying to get pieces of spring cleaning done and I really need to move outside and get the yard work started. There's much to do and not much time to get things done. And with my head not cooperating it's making it even worse.

So if I'm not around I'm cleaning, weeding, or nursing a migraine. But we are all good and for the most part, not much is new.

I did find a "new to me" gluten free forum called Gluten Free Faces today. Anyone ever heard of or use this? It looks really interesting. I haven't had time to check it out yet but I will soon.

Are you watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? What do you think? I LOVE it! And at least with some of the people I know, it's gotten people talking and taking notice. I wish he'd come to our school :) Did you sign the petition yet? If you haven't, you should check it out. And you can check out more about Jamie here.
Jody wrote a blog post on WEGO Health about Jamie Oliver and the Food Revolution here. Stop by, check it out and leave your thoughts on the state of our school lunches and our food in general.

Back soon! Be well and enjoy the weather :)

How I spent my Saturday night

And NO, it wasn't a good time

Feeling like failure on WEGO Health.

Just another reminder to read every label (or to remind others to read every label) EVERY.STINKIN.TIME.

He's fine. But it was scary.

Sensodyne® and gluten - Pronamel™ gluten free? Do I trust it?

The boys went to the dentist the other day and were given sample tubes of Sensodyne Pronamel for children. I read the ingredients but most were foreign to me so I thought I better contact them to double check the Little Man's allergies. Below is there response.

Dear Ms. Z,


We have received your email regarding Sensodyne® toothpaste.

Sensodyne® Pronamel™ is gluten-free. Although we do not add gluten to any of our other variants of Sensodyne®, our raw materials suppliers could not guarantee that they are gluten-free. Therefore, other variants of Sensodyne® may contain trace amounts of gluten.

The complete list of ingredients can be found on the back label on the box of the product; the active ingredients are indicated on the tube. The ingredients for each variant are as follows:

Sensodyne® Pronamel™: Potassium Nitrate 5%, Sodium fluoride 0.15% w/v fluoride ion, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Flavor, Glycerin, Hydrated silica, PEG-8, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium saccharin, Sorbitol, Titanium dioxide, Water, Xanthan gum

Sensodyne® Full Protection™: Potassium Nitrate,Sodium Fluoride, Cellulose gum, Flavor, Glycerin, Polyethylene glycol, Silica, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate,Sodium Saccharin,Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Water

Sensodyne® Baking Soda: Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride, Flavor, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Silica, Sodium Bicarbonate,Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Titanium Dioxide, Water

Sensodyne® Cool Gel: Potassium Nitrate,Sodium Fluoride, FD&C blue #1 lake dye, Flavor, Glycerin, Hydrated silica, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium saccharin, Sorbitol, Water, Xanthan gum

Sensodyne® Extra Whitening: Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Flavor, Gycerin, Hydrated Silica, Water, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Saccharin, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Xanthan Gum

Sensodyne® Fresh Impact™: Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride, D&C yellow #10 lake, FD&C blue #1 lake, Flavor, Glycerin, Hydrated silica, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium saccharin, Sorbitol, Titanium dioxide, Water, Xanthan gum

Sensodyne® Fresh Mint: ! Potassiu m Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride, Silica, Trisodium Phosphate, D&C Yellow #10, FD&C Blue #1, Flavor, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Xanthan Gum

Sensodyne® Original: Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride, Cellulose Gum, D&C Red No. 28, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Peppermint Oil, Silica, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Trisodium Phosphate, Water

Sensodyne® Tartar Control plus Whitening: Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride, Cellulose Gum, Flavor, Glycerin, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Silica, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Water

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.


Sincerely,

R...
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

Easter in pictures

Painting Easter Eggs:





Hunting for Eggs:


Clearly this ones had too much candy. No more for him:


Look what the bunny left:


With one set of Grandparents:


We're all cleaned up:


With the other set of Grandparents:


Hope everyone had a Happy and Blessed Easter!!

Easter Sunday

He Is Risen!



Easter Sunday
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. (Sequence of Easter Sunday)


Reflection.
On Easter Sunday, the Church is recollected in contemplation of the risen Christ. Thus she relives the primordial experience that lies at the basis of her existence. She feels imbued with the same wonder as Mary Magdalen and the other women who went to Christ's tomb on Easter morning and found it empty. That tomb became the womb of life. Whoever had condemned Jesus, deceived himself that he had buried his cause under an ice-cold tombstone. The disciples themselves gave into the feeling of irreparable failure. We understand their surprise, then, and even their distrust in the news of the empty tomb. But the Risen One did not delay in making himself seen and they yielded to reality. They saw and believed! Two thousand years later, we still sense the unspeakable emotion that overcame them when they heard the Master's greeting: "Peace be with you.'"....
...Christ's Resurrection is the strength, the secret of Christianity. It is not a question of mythology or of mere symbolism, but of a concrete event. It is confirmed by sure and convincing proofs. The acceptance of this truth, although the fruit of the Holy Spirit's grace, rests at the same time on a solid historical base. On the threshold of the third millennium, the new effort of evangelization can begin only from a renewed experience of this Mystery, accepted in faith and witnessed to in life.... Pope John Paul II


Fact
Mass is to be celebrated on Easter Day with great solemnity. It is appropriate that the penitential rite on this day take the form of a sprinkling with water blessed at the Vigil, during which the antiphon Vidi aquam, or some other song of baptismal character should be sung. The fonts at the entrance to the church should also be filled with the same water. The tradition of celebrating baptismal Vespers on Easter Day with the singing of psalms during the procession to the font should be maintained where it is still in force, and appropriately, restored. The paschal candle has its proper place either by the ambo or by the altar and should be lit at least in all the more solemn liturgical celebrations of the season until Pentecost Sunday, whether at Mass, or at Morning and Evening Prayer. After the Easter season the candle should be kept with honor in the baptistry, so that in the celebration of Baptism the candles of the baptized may be lit from them. In the celebration of funerals, the paschal candle should be place near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is his own passover. The paschal candle should not otherwise be lit nor placed in the sanctuary outside the Easter season.

Prayer
God our Father, creator of all, today is the day of Easter joy. This is the morning on which the Lord appeared ot men who had begun to lose their hope and opened their eyes to what the scriptures foretold: that first he must die, and then he would rise and ascend into his Father's glorious presence. May the risen Lord breathe on our minds and open our eyes that we may know him in the breaking of bread, and follow him in his risen life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Easter!!

For more on Holy Week and Easter visit EWTN.

Holy Saturday

Saturday of Holy Week
"He has been raised up; he is not here." (Mark 16:6)
Reflection.

THE CROSS

The cross is the hope of Christians
the cross is the resurrection of the dead
the cross is the way of the lost
the cross is the savior of the lost
the cross is the staff of the lame
the cross is the guide of the blind
the cross is the strength of the weak
the cross is the doctor of the sick
the cross is the aim of the priests
the cross is the hope of the hopeless
the cross is the freedom of the slaves
the cross is the power of the kings
the cross is the water of the seeds
the cross is the consolation of the bondsmen
the cross is the source of those who seek water
the cross is the cloth of the naked.
We thank you, Father, for the cross.


Fact
On Holy Saturday the Church is, as it were, at the Lord's tomb, meditating on his passion and death, and on his descent into hell, and awaiting his resurrection with prayer and fasting. It is highly recommended that on this day the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer be celebrated with the participation of the people (cf. n. 40). Where this cannot be done, there should be some celebration of the Word of God, or some act of devotion suited to the mystery celebrated this day. The image of Christ crucified or lying in the tomb, or the descent into hell, which mystery Holy Saturday recalls, as also an image of the sorrowful Virgin Mary can be placed in the church for the veneration of the faithful. On this day the Church abstains strictly from the celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass. Holy Communion may only be given in the form of Viaticum. The celebration of marriages is forbidden, as also the celebration of other sacraments, except those of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. The faithful are to be instructed on the special character of Holy Saturday. Festive customs and traditions associated with this day on account of the former practice of anticipating the celebration of Easter on Holy Saturday should be reserved for Easter night and the day that follows.



Prayer

Lord, by the suffering of Christ your Son you have saved us all from the death we inherited from sinful Adam. By the law of nature we have borne the likeness of his manhood. May the sanctifying power of grace help us to put on the likeness of our Lord in heaven, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

Good Friday

Good Friday Ideas for Families
Catholic schools will be closed on Good Friday so the children will be able to participate in family observances of this solemn day. If possible, the entire family should attend Good-Friday services together, or at least make a trip to Church to make the Stations of the Cross (see section on Stations). Following are a few other suggestions.

. Hot Cross Buns. The familiar hot cross buns are sweet rolls with the sign of the cross cut into it, and they are one of several traditional European breads marked with a cross for Good Friday. According to tradition, these buns originated at St Alban's Abbey in 1361, where the monks gave them to the poor people who came there. (You may have your own recipe for sweet-rolls to which you can add currants or raisins before shaping and cut a cross in the top before baking; or you can buy them.) These Good Friday buns were very popular, and were sold by vendors who cried,

Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns! One a-penny two a-penny, Hot cross buns! If you have no daughters, give 'em to your sons! One a-penny two a-penny, Hot cross buns!


•The Three Hours. Some churches hold prayer services during the three hours of Christ's suffering on the Cross. It would be appropriate to observe a period of silence at home, for devotional reading and private prayer (e.g., no radio, television, etc.), especially between the hours of noon and 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
•Each member of the family might choose a particularly unpleasant job which has been put off for a long time - like cleaning the garage or a closet, or scrubbing the bathrooms (we're sure you can think of something!)- to emphasize the dreariness apropriate to the day.
•Good Friday was thought to be a good day for planting seeds (a reference to the Gospel about the seeds which must be planted in the ground to bear fruit as a metaphor for Christ's necessary death and His burial on this day) so if the weather permits, this could be a worthwhile activity with children. (Don't forget to explain the symbolism.)
•With very young children keeping silence during the Three Hours is virtually impossible. You might help them make a miniature Garden of Joseph of Arimathea in the yard. Mother or Father can teach children about the circumstances of Christ's burial and resurrection from the tomb by telling the the story of Joseph, Christ's friend who donated the new tomb where Jesus' body was buried after He was taken down from the Cross. Children can gather small stones, sticks, acorns. etc., for the little garden.
•Older children can be given a drawing or coloring project. Perhaps they could draw one or more of the Stations of the Cross. (from Catholic Online)

Friday of Holy Week
Good Friday
Fast & Abstinence Today Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured. (Isaiah 53:4)
Reflection.

(1) It is related in the annals of Clairvaus that St. Bernard asked Our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering and that Our Lord answered,
"I had on my shoulder while I bore My cross on the Way of Sorrows a grievous wound which was more painful than the others which is not recorded by men. Honor this wound with devotion, and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through its virtue and merit, and in return to all who venerate this wound I will remit to them all their venial sins and will no longer remember their mortal sins. "

(2) At the crucifixion, a young soldier, Longinus, thrust a spear into the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Water spilled forth, washing Longinus, and Blood followed, giving Longinus the grace of conversion. Having been touched by the healing contents of Our Lord's Sacred Heart, Longinus became a martyr, giving up his own life for the One he helped crucify. Longinus opened a Door into the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Door stands open, ready to receive all. We each have many opportunities to cross this threshold, to enter this Door, to be immersed in the Love within. How we respond to that invitation is dependent on how much we love. This Door can be wide, but it is often hard to pass through.


Fact

Jesus of Nazareth underwent Jewish and Roman trials, was flogged, and was sentenced to death by crucifixion. The scourging produced deep stripelike lacerations and appreciable blood loss, and it probably set the stage for hypovolemic shock, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus was too weakened to carry the crossbar (patibulum) to Golgotha. At the site of crucifixion, his wrists were nailed to the patibulum and, after the patibulum was lifted onto the upright post (stipes), his feet were nailed to the stipes. The major pathophysiologic effect of crucifixion was an interference with normal respirations. Accordingly death resulted primarily from hypovolemic shock and exhaustion asphyxia. Jesus' death was ensured by the thrust of a soldier's spear into his side. Modern medical interpretation of the historical evidence indicate that Jesus was dead when taken down from the cross.



Prayer
Lord, by shedding his blood for us, your Son, Jesus Christ, established the paschal mystery. In your goodness, make us holy and watch over us always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For more on Good Friday and Holy Week visit EWTN.

Holy Thursday - The Last Supper

The last three days of Holy Week are referred to as the Easter or Sacred Triduum (Triduum Sacrum), the three-part drama of Christ's redemption: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation:


Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos:
"I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34)
These are the words spoken by our Lord to His apostles at the Last Supper, after he completed the washing of the feet. We should imitate Christ's humility in the washing of the feet.

Family Activities for Holy Thursday
When you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death, until He comes again.
I Corinthians 11:26

•We have prepared a Christian adaptation of a Passover Seder, simple enough for use in families with young children. This special meal stresses the Christian significance of elements of the traditional Jewish Passover meal (seder) as it may have been celebrated in our Lord's time. It is neither a re-enactment of the Last Supper, nor a Jewish service. But we believe this festive family meal can be a very expressive way of helping young children to understand more about the historic origins of their faith as well as the importance of this day of Holy Week.
•Maundy Thursday's emphasis on ritual washing also gave rise to the ancient tradition of spring cleaning, evidently related to the Jewish custom of ritually cleaning the home in preparation for the Feast of Passover. Everything was to be cleaned and polished in preparation for the Easter celebration. You can tell children about this tradition and ask to them to clean their rooms in order to observe Maundy Thursday.
•Adults and children who are old enough to accompany their parents can return to Church after Mass for a period of Adoration. If this is not possible, candles can be lighted and special prayers could be said after returning from Mass and before bedtime.
© Women for Faith & Family

Thursday of Holy Week

"But if I washed your feet...then you must wash each other’s feet." (John 13:14)
Reflection.

In April of 1945 American artillery in the town of Siegburg, Germany, was shelling a nearby village, in which there were about 20 German soldiers. The natives were in constant danger of being hit by bullets from either side. Toward evening of April 12 the people persuaded the German soldiers to cease fire. Next morning the village priest carried a white flag to the American outpost to inform the commander that the German soldiers had gone and the civilian population had no desire to resist further. Instructions were given to fly white flags from all the houses. The question uppermost in the minds of the towns-people was: How will the Americans treat us?
They had heard terrible tales of cruelty on the part of the Russians. How would these conquerors act?
The Americans began a thorough search for weapons and German soldiers. Two soldiers armed with pistols came to a certain three- room home. They stopped short in the living room before a hand- carved family altar. Into the bedroom they went, to find there a beautiful crucifix. The soldiers noticed the cross. They stopped, took off their steel helmets, changed their automatics from right hand to left, and respectfully made the sign of the cross.
As a member of the family related, the members of that household feared no longer. Yes, the sign of the cross is the salute of the true follower of Christ whether he is conqueror or conquered, whether he is German, Chinese, American or Australian. It is the countersign of the Christian. In particular, it is the special salute of the Catholic.


Lenten Fact

Those who are impeded from visiting a church, during the Stations Of The Cross, may gain indulgences by piously reading and meditating on the passion and death of our Lord for one-half hour. The continued importance of the stations in the devotional life of Catholics is attested by both Pope Paul VI, who approved a Gospel-based version of the stations in 1975, and Pope John Paul II, who has also written his own version.


Lenten Action.

Imagine what it would feel like, if your loved one was taken to prison without due cause. Imagine how the apostles felt as Jesus was carried away.

Prayer

Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit you anointed your only Son Messiah and Lord of creation; you have given us a share in his consecration to priestly service in your Church. Help us to be faithful witnesses in the world to the salvation Christ won for all mankind. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

For more on Holy Thursday visit Catholic Culture