All-Natural Kids Cold Medication AND Another 18w18d Update

Oliver has had a cold for a few days now. The typical runny nose and seeming 'off' turned into a hacking-man-cough and trouble sleeping. Couple this with the fact that we still practice co-sleeping, and I caught the same nasty cold around Saturday night = we have a problem. Our family typically wakes up at 7am or 8am every morning (we get ready for the day super-fast) but this morning I woke up bright and early at 6:30am because I was just fully rested - we hadn't woken up once the whole night. Why? An amazing all-natural kids cold medication.

Homeocan's Kids 0-9 is a line of children's medication that is homeopathic so it doesn't need any chemicals or traditional medicines in it, but it's still extremely effective. It also does not contain any sugar or dyes, two things that really have no place in kids medications but always seem to make their way in for the sake of appeal. The line, as the name suggests, is suitable for children 9 and under, and is even safe for babies. Oliver has used the Teething and Fever since he was tiny, and he now plays with the empty bottle because he has such fond memories of it.

So last night he took the Kids 0-9 Cough and Cold right before bed and we truly saw a whole new boy. We're just so relieved that there's something out there that works and that we are comfortable giving to him (because Tylenol we are not).

Also, an update on my challenge to use only Dr. Bronner's for 18 purposes - this stuff is great for classic armpit 'sweat smell'. I've been washing with the tea tree soap and I think it has to do with the antimicrobial function of it, because so often armpit odour is a problem with bacteria (hence crystal salt rock deodorant working). The tea tree deals with the problem from the root, not masking it but getting rid of it. I think if I washed with the tea tree soap every day I could give up deodorant forever. 

My Natural Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a great time to reevaluate your heath and the source of it. It's encouraging how many women who otherwise don't focus on natural health suddenly reduce their intake of pharmaceuticals and chemicals and begin paying attention to their nutrition. It's not uncommon to hear of a woman planning a completely natural, drug-free birth even though she typically uses things like Tylenol. The instant the news of a child is on the table people replace household cleaners with white vinegar and white pasta with brown rice. And best of all, tons of these women discover a new found love of organic food.



I've realized for myself that even after birth, I should probably stick with this new pregnancy diet (all that's really changed is the total abstinence from wine, reduction to less than a cup of coffee a week, and eating more often for the sake of blood sugar stability.) Sleeping more might be a permanent change too.

So what can you do to make your pregnancy more natural, and therefore healthier?
- Give up the bad stuff: alcohol, caffeine, smoking and drugs (that includes prescription but make an informed decision about that) need to be off the table
- Give up the equally bad stuff: there shouldn't be a lot of room in your diet for white sugar, soda (especially diet - artificial sweeteners are doing nothing for your baby's heath), staying up too late and laziness
- Pump up your nutrition: your body needs the vitamins and minerals from loads of vegetables and fruit, whole grains with tons of fibre, then of course iron, calcium and protein wherever you'd like to get it (if you're attempting a vegan pregnancy you will need to take out a loan to buy kale, quinoa and pinto beans)
- Look into natural remedies: I used ginger pastilles for morning sickness and plan to take EZ Birth (a homeopathic blend of Arnia, Actaea Racemosa, Pulsatilla and Sepia) for the more unpleasant parts of childbirth such as bruising, pain and fear
- Find a midwife: These pregnancy, birth & postnatal care experts will help through every stage, focusing on your preferences, but make sure to call early
If you're in London like I am:
Womancare: http://www.midwives.on.ca/
Thames Valley Midwives: http://tvm.on.ca/
Talbot Creek, in St. Thomas: http://talbotcreekmidwives.com/
I'm on the waiting list for all three but I can't wait to get a call!
- And lastly, ask me! My credentials are in nutrition only at this point but I am currently upgrading my education in natural health so I've got at least the basics of how to lead a healthy, natural life even beyond nutrition (I hope you see that from my blog)

Most importantly, enjoy this time.

The Homeopathic "Flu Shot"

Homeopathic medicine is something that deserves the following caution:

I don't understand as much as I'd like. I know that it's safe, I know that it works. Beyond that, I'm only attempting to be right.

The way I've been taught it, the premise of homeopathic medicine is the philosophy "like cures like". Some one, long ago, realized that things that cause symptoms (poison ivy causing a rash, for example) when diluted and taken as a small dose, can actually cure that symptom. It isn't really the same science as vaccinations that cause your body to react and then learn, this is on so much of a smaller scale that there's no way it could prompt your body's immune response. Rather the energies work to eliminate the symptom. (For more on my beliefs and struggles with energy medicine - request a blog about it!)

Certain ingredients (bee pollen, ragweed, tree bark) are put into a series of dilutions, are tapped when they decant, and are packaged as small pellets (there are liquids and others available) that you take under the tongue as various frequencies. For example, if I noticed bruising from an injury I might take 4 pellets of Arnica Montana, 30c (the potency), every 2 hours until I notice the bruising going down. I use a preparation called Traumeel on Calvin's foot inflammation after he plays hockey and I used other remedies when I was suffering from tooth pain. One that I know of, Acetea Ramosa (probably the wrong spelling, sorry) , can help induce labour in someone past their due date and even help with the pains of it.

Homeopathics are safe in every situation I can think of, including during pregnancy, and for young children. They don't interact with other medicines. And they work every time I've used them. The reason why they haven't received more attention is that there are no major companies backing them up with research and promotion dollars. Talk to anyone who has used them and they'll promote them for free.

One homeopathic remedy that really gets my attention is Influenzium. It is, more or less, an alternative to the flu shot. Depending on your preparation, you can take either one tube per week for six weeks and it will cover you for the entire winter season, or you can receive a one-time dose from a homeopathic professional, and it will also cover you for the season.

Today, the health food store I work full-time at is offering the flu dose for free from 11am to 3pm to anyone who wants it. A hospital in my home city that forces its workers to get the flu shot in order to work has recently recognized this method as a legitimate alternative and will allow their employees to work if they have chosen this route instead.

So if you don't want the flu, and you don't want the flu shot, try the homeopathic flu dose!