Tag Archive for 'children'

Warning: Keep Out of Reach of Children

Published on March 28, 2012 in Health & Safety. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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Every year, U.S. poison centers take over 2 million calls related to poison exposures in people, and over 50% of those calls are for children under the age of 5. The most common substances involved are painkillers, cosmetics and personal care products, and household cleaning products; and overwhelmingly, poison exposures occur in the home (over 90%).

Most incidents are resolved over the phone, but there are occasions where a child may need to be taken to the ER. For instance, more than 60,000 children under age 5 are treated in the ER each year due to accidental medication poisoning.

My little sister was one of those children years ago. Nana was visiting and had put her purse away in the bedroom closet where she’d been staying, but when little sis went down for her nap one afternoon she got into what she thought was Nana’s “candy” instead. My poor little sister ended up in the ER getting charcoal treatment and her stomach pumped. Fortunately, she came away from it unscathed, but I’m sure everyone was terrified and scarred.

This type of occurrence happens more often than you might think, and so often pills are indistinguishable from candy. I came across this cute and catchy little video that may help our kids learn that they should always STOP and ASK FIRST before they want to touch something or put something in their mouths that doesn’t belong to them:

Of course, ultimately, we don’t want our children to ever find themselves in these situations, and so poison-proofing our homes is the best prevention tool. Below are helpful tips for poison prevention as well as treatment if you suspect poisoning has occurred.
 
What are the potential dangers in your home?

Any of these common household products could seriously harm a child if ingested:
  • Bath and kitchen disinfectants and sanitizers, including bleach
  • Household cleaning or maintenance products, such as drain cleaner, paints, or glues
  • Automotive products stored around the home, such as anti-freeze or windshield washer fluid
  • Health or beauty care products such as medicines, mouthwash, hair and nail products
  • Roach sprays and baits
  • Insect repellents
  • Rat and other rodent poisons
  • Weed killers
  • Products used to kill mold or mildew
  • Flea and tick shampoos, powders, and dips for pets
  • Batteries
  • Alcohol
  • Indoor or outdoor plants
  • Swimming pool chemicals

 

What can you do to prevent accidental poisoning?
General
  • Regardless of the item of concern, keep it UP, AWAY, and OUT OF SIGHT. Even if you have items in an upper cabinet, it’s a good idea to use a cabinet lock to keep your little climbers or older children out.
  • Be prepared in case of emergency. Program the Poison Control Help number, 1-800-222-1222, into your home and cell phones. If you suspect your child has ingested something dangerous, contact Poison Help right away.
  • Ensure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
  • If you live in an older home, particularly a home built before 1978, have your home and children tested for lead.
  • Do not keep poisonous plants in your home or yard.
  • Teach your child to STOP and ASK FIRST before they touch something or put anything in their mouths that does not belong to them.
Medications
  • Put medicines and vitamins away every time, even between dosing.
  • Always relock the safety cap. Twist until you hear the click.
  • Explain to children what medicine is and that only you can give it to them.
  • Never tell a child that medicine tastes like candy in an attempt to get them to take it.
  • Never give a child medicine in the dark. Turn the light on and read the instructions to ensure proper dosing.
  • Ask house guests and visitors to keep their coats and bags out of reach when they are in your home. Don’t put it past kids to get past child-resistant packaging (not child-proof, mind you).
  • Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically, and safely dispose of any medicines such as prescriptions when no longer needed. Check with your locality as many hold take-back events as an alternative to flushing pharmaceuticals down the drain.
  • Don’t throw medications away in open trash containers where a child might be able to get to them.
Pesticides and Household Chemical Products
  • Use the safest possible pesticides and cleaning products. There are many natural and nontoxic alternatives that can be found with a simple search online.
  • Always store them in a locked cabinet, preferably out of reach.
  • Place Mr Yuk stickers on potentially poisonous products to help your kids decipher undesirables. Information to request a free sheet or purchase more is available here.
  • Remember the BEFORE, WHILE, AFTER rule: BEFORE using a product, read the instructions. WHILE using a product, never leave it alone. AFTER using a product, lock it up.
  • If a spillage occurs, clean it up immediately.
  • Do not transfer products to other containers, particularly containers that could be mistaken for food or drink. You will want to have the original label and instructions in the case of accidental poisoning.
  • Remove children, pets, toys, bottles, and pacifiers from the area before applying pesticides inside or outside the home.  Follow label directions to determine when it is safe for children and pets to return to the area.
  • Choose nontoxic art supplies.
  • Keep the dishwasher door closed, and only fill with detergent when ready to use.

 

What if you suspect your child has been poisoned?
If you suspect your child has been poisoned, you need to act quickly.
Signs of Poisoning
  • An open or spilled bottle of pills or cleaning product, or suspicious stains on your child’s mouth or clothing
  • A burn or rash on the lips, mouth or skin
  • Burns, stains, or smell of chemicals on your child or his or her clothing
  • Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Inexplicable amounts of drooling
  • An unusual odor on his or her breath
  • Headache, dizziness, confusion, or blurred vision - your child can’t follow you with their eyes
  • Bluish lips, coughing, throat pain, or difficulty breathing
  • Seizures, convulsions, or unconsciousness (in extreme cases)
What to do
If you suspect that your child has been poisoned, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Even if your child has no symptoms, it can’t hurt to call poison control. Better safe than sorry.
If your child is having serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, seizures, or is unconscious, call 911 immediately.
If your child is awake and stable, take certain measures first and then call the poison control hotline: 1-800-222-1222.
  • Swallowed poison - Do not try to make your child vomit. You may do more harm bringing the poison back up. Sweep your child’s mouth and remove any visible poison. Rinse out and wipe your child’s mouth with a cloth. Call poison control.
  • Poison on the skin - Remove contaminated clothing, while avoiding any more contact with the chemical. Flood the skin with lukewarm running water. Wash gently with soap and water and rinse. Call poison control.
  • Poison in the eye - Wrap your child in a towel with arms placed at his or her sides under the towel, and place them on a flat surface so you can control them safely. Hold the eyelid open, and drip room temperature water or normal saline over the bridge of the nose for 15 minutes. Call poison control.
  • Inhaled poison - Get your child to fresh air. Open doors and windows if safe to do so. Begin artificial respiration if they’re not breathing. Call 911.
  • Stings and bites - Remove the sting if present, and wash the affected area with soap and warm water. Pat dry. Call poison control.
When you speak with poison control or 911, be prepared to provide the following information:
  • your child’s age, height, and weight
  • existing health conditions
  • substance and label information
  • how the substance entered the body
  • first aid given
  • has your child vomited
  • your location and distance to the nearest hospital

For more information:
American Association of Poison Control Centers
Poison Prevention.Org

Will the New Princess ‘Couture’ Help or Hinder Our Daughters’ Sense of Self-Esteem?

Published on January 19, 2012 in Learning & Development and Parenting & Discipline. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

By hudsonthego, Flickr

About a year ago, I took my 3 year old daughter to Target to buy a new blanket for naptime at school. I told my daughter, whose favorite color at the time was blue, that she could pick out any soft blanket that she liked. As we strolled down the aisle, we passed Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Dora the Explorer, and several other “girl” blankets. But when we saw the blue blanket, Spiderman, she got excited and told me she wanted that one. Despite the giggles coming from the observer lady in our aisle, I put Spiderman in our basket and headed to the register.

Now four years old, my daughter has expressed little interest in “princess culture.” And to be honest, we do have quite a bit of princess merchandise in our house. From dress-up clothes to princess learning laptops, to princess pull-ups to princess coloring books, you can’t escape the princess culture these days. In fact, you can hardly buy little girls’ panties these days without having a smiling princess across your child’s bottom.

I would be lying if I said that her non-interest in the princess culture wasn’t a huge relief to me. Just like the Barbie culture that I grew up in, I began to think about the type of impact princess culture would have on my daughter’s sense of self esteem.

How would she learn to define beauty? Would she begin comparing her looks to the princesses?

My husband and I have been making a conscious effort to compliment and highlight her inner strengths – how smart, capable, independent, loving, caring and generous she is. But would any of our efforts be over-shadowed by a culture obsessed with princesses, toddlers in tiaras and the Kardashians?

For some reason I just don’t remember growing up being surrounded by all of the princess ‘couture.’ I went to Disney World as a child, and loved the princess stories. But I didn’t wear princess underwear, and I didn’t own any princess dresses or tiaras.

So how did we get to where we are today – a culture that’s been engulfed by princesses?

When I saw a video of Peggy Orenstein on Anderson Cooper, everything started to become crystal clear. As it turns out, mass-marketed princess merchandise hit our stores around the year 2000. And as Peggy says in the video below, from 2000 to 2009, the princess merchandise industry went from a $300MM to a $4B industry. By 2009, there were 26,000 Disney Princess products in stores!

At the end of the day, the real question is how do we raise self-confident, independent, loving, caring, accepting children, in a culture that is obsessed with external beauty?

I can’t say I have the answers (but if you do, please share!).

As a parent, I think it’s important to remember as the kids get older that they are extremely vulnerable to external influences, and should be reminded that beauty comes from within rather than what they look like on the outside. That being said, it’s also important to compliment them and nurture their attributes that matter the most – how helpful, smart, loving and caring that they are.

Fantastically Funny Friday (12/23/2011) – The Christmas Story

Published on December 23, 2011 in Birth Stories, Holidays and LOL Moments. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

The Christmas Story couldn’t be retold any better than by these adorable children from St. Paul’s Church in Auckland, New Zealand. This video is full of innocence, sweetness, the cutest little Kiwi accents, and a few giggle-worthy moments as well. My personal favorite is when Mary first enters the picture with her pregnant womb. This is so clever and the perfect introduction to a Christmas weekend - a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Heather and I wish you and your families a happy Friday and a very Merry Christmas! May you all be blessed!

XOXO,
Jasmine & Heather

Weekly Highlights (12/19/2011)

Published on December 19, 2011 in News. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Welcome to “Weekly Highlights”, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great finds we’ve come across in our internet travels.

In the News:

FDA Approves First Heart Pump for Kids - While heart failure is rare in children, this device will help prolong the lives of children waiting for transplants. It’s one of very few devices designed specifically for children.

Disney Unveils Newest Princess, Sophia the First, for Toddlers - Disney’s newest princess will be a toddler with lots of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes and an emphasis on inner beauty. It’d be nice to see a Disney character with a traditional family, too.

Maine Report Lists Products Containing Toxic Chemicals BPA and NPE – 25 manufacturers of children’s toys, infant formulas, baby food, paints, and cleaners reported in under Maine’s chemical reporting regulation. 280 toys containing BPA made the list with nearly all made by Playmobil. View the report here.

Two Dead in Louisiana After Unclean Water Used in Neti Pots - Yikes! Bacteria in the sinuses can easily get to the brain. Be sure to use distilled water, not tap water, with this at home sinus treatment.

This Week in History: Boston Schools Mandated Vaccination – Dec 15, 1827 – “no child left unvaccinated” became law in Boston. A little history lesson on the smallpox vaccine.

New Research:

How Abuse Changes a Child’s Brain
In the first study to use MRI imaging to study the brains of children in violent homes, researchers found brain patterns similar to soldiers exposed to combat. Children adapt and become primed to perceive threats and pain but also more susceptible to long-term stress and anxiety. Heartbreaking.

Fantastic Finds:

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself from Marc and Angel Hack Life - “Anyone can start today and make a new ending.” I absolutely loved this. Many great reminders of the best way to live and enjoy life.

Believe from Ryan and Kenz - This is just genius!! Children wary of Santa can get their photo taken with a more familiar face, and no one will be the wiser.

Recalls, December 13 – December 19:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

Child Safety Seat Recalls

No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it our way to jasmine@purebebe.com. We hope your week is off to a great start! XOXO, Jasmine & Heather

Protect Your Family From Fire

Published on October 13, 2011 in Health & Safety. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Do you have a plan for your family to escape from your home in the event of a fire? Have you identified more than one exit path out of each room? Have you decided who will be responsible for each child?

If not, you’re not alone. Less than 1/4 of Americans have developed and practiced a fire escape plan. I’m one of them myself. But it’s been on my mind a lot lately as I pass this home each day after dropping my kids off at daycare. I’m reminded that tragically it can happen to anyone. Chances are you know someone who has experienced devastation like this. I have known two dear friends who have been displaced from their homes due to such a fire.

Did you know that you can expect to experience 5 home fires during your lifetime? Most of these will be small fires resulting in little or no damage, but the chance that you will experience a reportable home fire (i.e. 9-1-1 worthy) is 1 in 4. Best to be prepared.

Which is why this week, I’ve decided to take action. I’m going to check my smoke alarms, ensure they are in working order (I know at least one is not), and develop an escape plan for my family. If you haven’t done so, I’d encourage you to do the same.

It is Fire Prevention Week, and this year’s theme, “Protect Your Family from Fire”, encourages all of us to take steps to mitigate the risk of fire in our homes and plan ahead to protect our families in the event of a fire.

The National Fire Protection Agency provides these 10 tips for fire safety at home (commentary added):

  1. Watch your cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. Ensure young children stay away from cooking areas, and teach them not to touch the stove. Keep pot handles turned inward – away from where little hands can grab them.
  2. Install smoke alarms. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half!
  3. Test smoke alarms. Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the “test” button. Replace batteries at least once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Tip: Consider changing your batteries each time you change your clocks for Daylight Savings, and keep extra batteries on hand so that you always have a working alarm. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. Check the date on the back of your alarm. 
  4. Give space heaters space. Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  5. Smoke outside. Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
  6. Keep matches and lighters out of reach. Keep them up high, out of reach and sight of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock. Educate children to tell an adult if they find matches or lighters. 
  7. Inspect electrical cords. Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
  8. Be careful when using candles. Keep candles at least 1 foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  9. Have a home fire escape plan. Make a home fire escape plan, and practice it at least twice a year. See below for more tips on creating an escape plan with tips tailored to young children.
  10. Install sprinklers. If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive. Here’s a pretty compelling pamphlet by the NFPA.
Need to prepare an escape plan? The Home Safety Council provides an excellent step-by-step guide. We’ve provided the key points below, including things to think about when including young children.
Step 1: Make a home fire escape plan.
  • Most websites suggest drawing a map of your home, but in any case identify two ways out of every room, especially the bedrooms. For upper story windows, consider an escape ladder. Be sure to choose a model that fits your window.
  • Identify a place outside in front of your home where everyone should meet.
  • Assign an adult to each child or other individual in your home who will need help getting out of the home safely.
  • Help your children memorize 2 things: 9-1-1 or the emergency number for your fire department, and the street name and number for your home.
  • Make sure your house or building number can be seen from the street. Consider adding house numbers where they can be seen.
Step 2: Test your smoke alarms. (See #3 above).
Step 3: Clear the way.
  • You may have only 2 to 3 minutes to get to safety, so keep your exit routes clear at all times. Move everything off the stairs and out of the way.
  • Make sure all windows and doors open easily.
Step 4: Walk through the plan with every member of your family.
  • Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what they should do when they hear the alarm.
  • Teach them to roll out of bed and crawl to the door. Using the back of their hands, they should feel the cracks around the door for heat (be careful with the doorknob – could be very hot).
  • If the door feels cool, it’s safe to open the door and peek out. If they don’t see any smoke, they can go out the door to your meeting place. If the door is warm, they’ll need to use the second way out. Teach them to “get low and go”, crawling on their hands and knees if they see smoke.
  • Close doors behind you as you go to slow the spread of fire.
  • If using escape ladders, practice actually going out from a window, but do not practice from an upper floor due to the risk of falling. Use the ladder only in a real emergency.
Step 5: Do the Drill.
  • Have each family member go to their room, then push the button on your smoke alarm to start your drill.
  • Take your cell phone with you. (In the event of a real fire, if your phone is not accessible, do not endanger yourself trying to get it. Wake the neighbors instead).
  • Have the assigned grown-ups go to each child’s room and watch them go through the drill – roll out of bed, touch the door, peek, and go, closing the doors behind you.
  • Once you get to the meeting place, pretend to call the fire department. Ask the kids if they know the number and your address. Teach them once they get out to STAY OUT.
Step 6: Talk about the Drill.
  • Tell your kids what a great job they did, and reassure them that you will help them in a real fire.
  • Run the drill again, this time using alternate escape routes. Teach children to wave a white tee or towel if they are stuck in their rooms so they can be seen from the outside.
  • Practice your drill, aiming to get out within 3 minutes.
  • Put your plan on the refrigerator where everyone can see it.
Finally, I’ll add another tip: Take your child to visit the fire department. We visited our local fire department recently for a birthday party where the firemen dressed up in all their gear including oxygen tanks to show the children what to expect if they’re ever to be rescued by a fireman. Sometimes, they explained, children can be scared by the sight and sound, so it’s good for them to get familiar beforehand.
If you have any tips you’d like to add, please share.
-Jasmine

Is Your Infant College-Ready?

Published on March 7, 2011 in Finances. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The University of Virginia, by dbaron, Flickr

When your child is born, it naturally feels like ages before your baby will be old enough to go to college. And then you blink once and she’s 3 years old. If the next 14 years go by as quickly as the last 3 years, then I know I’ll be driving my firstborn to college next week.

Since many of my friends have asked me about the college savings plans that we chose for our children, I have decided to write about college savings options. Every state has different college savings plans that you can research at the College Savings Plans Network, which is a national non-profit association that provides detailed information about 529 college savings plans located here.

Since I live in the state of Virginia, I will focus on and outline the Virginia Internal Revenue Code Section 529 Plans. Please check out the Virginia College Savings Plan Comparison for a full comparison and complete details of the four options. For simplicity, I have provided a high-level overview of the options below.

All four programs below grow free of federal income taxes and withdrawals are tax free as well (as long as they are used for their intended purpose). Also, Virginia taxpayers receive up to a $4K annual income state tax deduction per account.

1. VPEP – Virginia Prepaid Education Program
Enrollment period opens for a limited time yearly, from December through March, and is limited to infants through 9th graders.

As the title suggests, this program allows you to pre-pay for your child’s in-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for the normal full-time course load at Virginia public universities and colleges. For a list of colleges included, click here (Go to Page 26).

You can pre-pay for up to 3 years of Community college or up to 5 years of University education. For a run-down of VPEP pricing for 2010-2011, click here. Note: The total pre-pay price increases every year, so participants are encouraged to “lock in” their rates early on in their child’s life. Also, in order to take advantage of this program, you have to reside in the State of Virginia while your child attends college.

Enrollment for the year ends on March 31st! To enroll in VPEP now, click “Enroll Now” on this Virginia 529 page.

2. VEST – Virginia Education Savings Trust
Enrollment open year-round and can be applied to adults and children.

VEST is an individual savings account. You can invest in your choice of portfolios of stocks and bonds which can be used for tuition and fees, room and board, texbooks, and other required supplies.

3. CollegeAmerica
Enrollment open year-round and available through financial advisors only. Can be applied to adults and children.

CollegeAmerica is a college savings plan in partnership with the American Fund, a large mutual fund. CollegeAmerica allows participants to choose from 22 American Funds while working with your financial advisor to tailor a college savings plan that meets your needs. Savings can be used towards tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other required supplies.

4. CollegeWealth
Enrollment open year-round through participating banks (BB&T and Union First Market Bank) and can be applied to adults and children.

CollegeWealth is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured 529 college savings plan, provided in partnership with participating banks (BB&T and Union First Market Bank). Savings can be used towards tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other required supplies.

Each of these plans allows you to save at your own speed. As for me, my husband and I enrolled our firstborn in VPEP. We have opened a VEST account for our second daughter. Just like any investment portfolio, we feel that we need to diversify our children’s college savings plans in the event that one of them gets a scholarship or decides to go to a private college (VPEP can be used towards private college tuition, but will obviously not cover the full cost of private tuition). As the comparison chart outlines the details, all of these plans can be transferred among siblings if you’re lucky enough to send your infant to college on a free ride…next week.

Just for the record, we don’t get any compensation (or credit, etc.) when you sign up for an account – we just want to spread the word and research to our wonderful PureBebe readers!

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Big News for Nursing Mothers

Life From The Eyes Of A Three Year Old

How Meeting Warren Buffett Means Less TVs In My Household

Trains, Taxis and Broadway

Operation Gingerbread House Complete

Published on December 14, 2010 in Activity and Holidays. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Last weekend I persuaded my husband to buy our kids a ‘giant’ gingerbread house kit. Afterall, I saw a ton of friends post photos on Facebook last year with their kids making gingerbread houses. I remember marveling at their gingerbread creations and looking forward to the day when my kids would be old enough to partake.

Fast forward a year and two very excited kidlets later. It seemed like a fun indoor activity to do on a freezing cold day. And since my mom was coming over to play with the kids while I baked their teachers 8 loaves of banana bread, we decided to get cranking on the gingerbread house.

I should have known what was ahead when my mom said, “whoa, this is no normal gingerbread house, Heather – this is a gingerbread mansion!” As I ferociously threw banana bread ingredients together, I was listening to my mother reading the directions aloud and began to wonder whether I, in fact, did get us in a little over our heads. After constructing the four main walls of the house, you have to wait an entire hour to secure the roof? How do you explain that instruction to a 2 year old? And then after the roof has been erected, we have to wait another 2-3 hours for the roof to dry BEFORE decorating. Hmmm, this is not what I bargained for.

8 hours, 3 adults (my hubby helped decorate after work), and two very sugar-filled and cranky toddlers later, the gingerbread house is finally complete (as well as those 8 loaves of banana bread – don’t ask how many bananas were hand pressed today).

Here are some photos of our creation – what do you think?

Don’t be a stranger. We LOVE comments. If you enjoy reading PureBebe, let us know by clicking on “Subscribe to PureBebe!” under “Email Subscription” on the right rail of the screen to read more healthy baby news and topics!

Related Articles:
3 Ways to Thank Your Child’s Teacher This Holiday Season
Holiday Warning: Most Holiday String Lights Sold In US Contain Lead
Winter Activity: Use Your Child’s Artwork to Make Greeting Cards

Homemade Honey Mustard, Apple & Onion Pork Chops

Published on December 13, 2010 in Recipes. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , .

Many of you recently mentioned that you’d like more healthy family-friendly recipes on PureBebe. We published our turkey soup recipe a couple of weeks ago, and will be publishing a couple of recipes a week, in addition to our normal healthy baby news and topics.

The first recipe is a staple in my household. We eat these pork chops at least once every couple of weeks. It is one of the easiest dinners to throw together, and we always have the ingredients around. You’ll need 5-10 mins to prep the food and about 1 hour of baking time.

You’ll need these ingredients (serves 3 adults):
3 thick cut (~3/4″) lean pork chops
1 med. onion, chopped
2 baking apples, sliced (red delicious are about the only type of apple that doesn’t work)
1/2 c. spicy mustard (Gulden’s works or any other brand of spicy mustard)
1/2 c. honey
Salt, pepper, paprika

Lightly sprinkle both sides of pork chops with salt, pepper and paprika. Generously spread mustard on both sides of pork chops. Place in a baking dish. Place chopped onions on top of pork chops. Top also with sliced apples. Pour honey over pork chops, onions and apples.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

I paired this with simple buttered carrots which are a huge hit with the kids in our house.

And voila…

What did you make for dinner tonight?

Don’t be a stranger. We LOVE comments. If you enjoy reading PureBebe, let us know by clicking on “Subscribe to PureBebe!” under “Email Subscription” on the right rail of the screen to read more healthy baby news and topics!

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Holiday Warning: Most Holiday String Lights Sold in U.S. Contain Lead

Published on December 12, 2010 in Health & Safety and Holidays. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

The Ecology Center, a non-profit organization, recently tested 68 varieties of holiday and Christmas string lights for lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other harmful chemicals and found that 4 out of 5, or 80% of the lights tested, contain lead. 28% of the those light strings that tested positive for lead would have been illegal in Europe as they contained greater than 1,000 ppm (parts per million). In the US, lead levels in holiday string lights are not regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) because they are not considered a children’s toy product. Children’s toy products have a maximum lead safety standard of 300 ppm.

“You cannot sell products with these levels of lead in Europe, but companies continue to dump these types of hazardous products on US consumers,” said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center’s Research Director. “It’s time we had commonsense laws to protect us from toxic chemicals the way virtually every other industrialized country does. We need a major and comprehensive overhaul of our chemicals policies immediately to start phasing out these dangerous substances.”

You can check HealthySite.org to find out the test results of your lights. They list the exact levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, chlorine, bromine and tin in each strand of holiday lights tested.

Why should you be concerned? Lead is extremely toxic even in low concentrations. Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead, and their bodies absorb more lead than an adult’s. Since babies and young children constantly put their hands and other objects into their mouths, they are even more vulnerable to the damaging effects of lead. And, as we have mentioned in prior articles, lead accumulates in the body over time and takes a long time to exit the human body.

Below are some tips to protect yourself and your little ones this holiday season:
1) Wear gloves while handling the holiday string lights and/or the electrical cords.

2) Wash hands immediately after handling the lights and cords.

3) Keep lights out of the reach of small children and your pets. This includes keeping a close eye on little hands while visiting other peoples’ homes.

4) Look for lights that are RoHS compliant. RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is law in the European Union and restricts the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated dephenyl ethers (PBDE).

5) 2 companies that claim to carry RoHS compliant lights are IKEA and EnvironmentalLights.com.

Related Articles:
A Call To Action: How You Can Help Ensure That Your Child’s Toys Are Cadmium Free
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Fantastically Funny Friday (12/10/2010) – I Know Santa!

Published on December 10, 2010 in Holidays and LOL Moments. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Happy Friday, everyone!!

We have searched far and wide for funny videos to share with you, and this week it’s about Christmas. These little sleuths seem to think they’ve figured out the truth about Santa in this hilarious commercial. Oh my!

Now for a little comic relief from one of our youngsters…

Juliana, 2
Juliana [Getting tucked into bed]: Mommy, where’s Daddy?
Mommy: Daddy’s coming home late tonight, but when you wake up in the morning he will be here.
Juliana: Okay, I will sleep fast.

Don’t you just love how their little minds think? If your child has said something that you’d like to share with PureBebe’s readers (don’t be shy!), please email us at purebebeblog@gmail.com!

Don’t be a stranger. We LOVE comments! And if you enjoy reading PureBebe, click on “Subscribe to PureBebe!” under “Email Subscription” on the right rail of the screen for more of our healthy baby news and topics (and we promise to make you laugh every now and then, too)!

Other Funny Articles:
Fantastically Funny Friday (12/3/2010) – Bloopers
Fantastically Funny Friday (11/26/2010)
Fantastically Funny Friday (11/19/2010)
Fantastically Funny Friday (11/12/2010)

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