Improve Your Family’s Health with Organic Living
Helping the overall health of the planet Earth is not the only benefit from living an organic or “green” lifestyle. Although sticking with natural materials is better for the environment than products that utilize synthetic materials, there are also health benefits that your family can reap by sticking to an organic lifestyle. These benefits can include a lower incidence of sickness and allergies, as well as improved energy levels and other positive side effects that can result from healthier living.
The Advantages of Organic Food
We all know that organically raised foods are better for the environment. Instead of using synthetic fertilizers and artificial hormones, foods that are produced organically use materials that are in tune with nature. Although organic fertilizers can be used by farmers to raise bigger crops in less space, and chemical pesticides can reduce overall crop waste, there is a price to be paid for this type of artificial convenience. For example, chemical fertilizers added to the soil don’t improve the overall quality of the soil, and pesticides can kill beneficial insects as well as the ones that are being specifically targeted. However, another important thing to take into consideration is the effect of these chemicals on the health of your family. Research suggests that over time, there is a negative cumulative effect on the human body from prolonged exposure to these artificial substances. Pesticide and chemical residues on foods can sensitize the human body, perhaps making a person more susceptible to allergies. The cumulative effect of the consumption of these chemicals can also have long-term negative side effects. Animals that are raised and fed with artificial hormones ultimately end up on our dinner table, which essentially means that your family is also ingesting these artificial hormones. Growing your own food or purchasing organically grown produce, dairy products and meats can be your assurance that your family members aren’t consuming these potentially harmful substances.
The Advantages of Other Organic Products
Just as with food, we are exposed on a daily basis to many other substances, such as cleaning products, textiles, building materials and airborne pollutants. Although it’s impossible to avoid exposure to all artificial and chemical substances, you can greatly reduce the exposure your family has to suffer by using organic products in your home. The use of organic cleaning materials and paper products can drastically reduce your family’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to cleaning products such as air fresheners, detergents and cleansers can actually sensitive the human body to these types of materials, causing irritation and allergies. Natural cleansers and organically produced paper products can reduce this level of exposure. Using organic materials in your home, such as choosing natural fiber carpeting as opposed to synthetic fibers can also help reduce your family’s exposure to chemicals. You should always be mindful of the products you use in your home, since some products have hidden hazards, such as the formaldehyde that is commonly used in the manufacture of many household items. By keeping careful tabs on these kinds of materials, you will not only be improving the health of the planet, but also the health of your entire family.
This article was written by Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com – the best place to buy quality tropical fish wall decor and grapes wall decor.
When to Worry About a High Fever
No parent likes to have a sick child regardless of what the illness is. When they are running a temperature you may wonder when to worry about a high fever. Here are some ideas to help you determine if a fever is something to be concerned about or not.
The “normal” body temperature for humans is 98.6 degrees F, but it doesn’t stay exactly at that temperature. In fact, it’s not unusual for your body’s temperature to fluctuate a degree or two throughout the day. To determine your child’s “normal” body temp, check it a couple of times during one day while they’re healthy and then average them.
A fever is any elevation in the body’s core temperature that goes above 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.0 degrees Celsius) when taken rectally, 100.0 degrees F (37.7 degrees C) when taken by mouth, or over 99.0 degrees F (37.3 degrees C) when taken under the armpit.
While a fever may be cause for alarm, the fever is just a symptom. It’s the body’s way of defending itself against any type of infection. Because the white blood cells work better in higher temperatures, the body increases its temperature. It also rises because many germs can’t survive high temperatures, so your body is doing double duty fighting off the infection and killing the germs.
When a fever first strikes, it is more important to find out what is causing the fever than to worry about how high it is. This is particularly important in children less than two months old. If an infant that age has a high temperature, they require immediate attention and you have the right to be worried. As a matter of fact, with any high fever your child has until they are over six months, it would be wise to call your pediatrician and let them determine if the fever warrants a visit to the doctor.
Remember that the fever isn’t an enemy to your child. It is their body’s way of fighting off any germs that may be attempting to get a foothold in the body. A fever CAN be a good thing because the body is fighting off infection. However, there are times when you want to take action against a fever. Besides a child under six months of age, here are a few times a high fever would require immediate medical attention:
- When a fever is 105 degrees F/40.5 degrees C or more.
- When a person has difficulty breathing, a stiff neck, or is confused during a high fever.
- When a high fever is accompanied by the inability to move or if a seizure is involved.
- When any of the following symptoms also occur with the fever: abnormal or persistent stomach pain, rapid or labored breathing, headache with an adverse reaction to bright light.
A fever, in general, isn’t anything to worry about because your body is doing what it was intended to do – fight off infection. However, if the temperature gets too high you may want to contact your child’s doctor and let them give you advice about whether or not to bring them in for a visit. In some cases there’s nothing to worry about, but if they have any of the above symptoms, you’re right to worry and they need to be seen by a doctor.
Heart Warming Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts
Take the chill off your morning with a hearty and delicious twist on regular oatmeal.
Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
¾ cup pink grapefruit juice
¾ cup water
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar, firmly packed
2 seedless oranges or tangerines, sectioned, chopped
4 dates (2 tablespoons), chopped
1 tablespoon almonds, slivered
In a medium saucepan, combine grapefruit juice, water, cinnamon, and salt; bring to a boil over HIGH heat. Stir in the oats and reduce the heat to MEDIUM-LOW. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Cover the oatmeal and let stand for 8 minutes, or until desired consistency is reached (it will continue to thicken as it stands). Stir in brown sugar. Spoon the oatmeal into bowls and top with oranges, dates and almonds.
Serves: 2
1 Cup of Fruit per Serving
Fruit and/or Veggie Color(s): Red, Orange
Nutrition Information per Serving: calories: 276, total fat: 3.8g, saturated fat: 0.4g, % calories from fat: 11%, % calories from saturated fat: 1%, protein: 6g, carbohydrates: 59g, cholesterol: 0mg, dietary fiber: 7g, sodium: 152mg
Each serving provides: An excellent source of vitamin C, magnesium and fiber and a good source of vitamin A, folate, calcium and potassium.
Recipe courtesy of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH). This recipe meets PBH and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) nutrition standards that maintain fruits and vegetables as healthy foods.
