Florence Nightingale

I have much respect for health care providers, especially nurses. Day in and day out they take care of people who are ill. Most nurses have good bed side manner, which usually makes up for the lack of the doctor's!
Everyone in my house hold has been sick this week. We were luck enough to host not just one virus, but two at the same time!! Lucky us, we won the virus jackpot. If I could only apply that luck to the lottery. I, as usual, didn't get as sick as everyone else. I believe it is part to the fact that I have been drinking my apple cider vinegar like it is going out of style.
My poor little son had to go to the doctor because he was looking so rough. Hacking up a lung, puffy right eye, a constant dripping nose, a possible rash on his face, are just a few of his symptoms. Sure enough, he had caught the virus that everyone at school had. The doctor wanted him to take albuterol breathing treatments to help him breath easier. I was ok with this as his blood oxygen level was on the low side. She also wanted to give him antibiotics for his ear infection. I said no to that idea. Instead I have been putting oil of garlic and mullein in his ear. Wonderful stuff, the garlic eats the infection and the mullein soothes the ear canal. I didn't want to overwhelm his little immune system with too many foreign substances. The ear infection has cleared up and the breathing treatments have stopped. The albuterol was hyping him up to the point that he wasn't sleeping and he become so moody that none of us wanted to be around him.
Being a parent who knows about natural healing, makes me wonder about the other parents out there who go along with whatever the doctor prescribes. There are kinder and more gentle ways to deal with dis-ease. Bombarding little bodies with harsh drugs eventually takes it toll on the body physically. These harsh chemicals upset the delicate balance within the body, stripping vital nutrients and bacteria away only to leave a vulnerable immune system open for yet another attack. Working with the body using natural remedies helps the body to heal itself without upsetting the all too impressive immune system. These remedies may not work as quickly as allopathic modes, but they are time tested and do work if you are willing to be patient. I implore all parents to explore other modalities of healing and to have the courage to tell the doctor that they are going to try something else first before they run off to the nearest pharmacy to fill the prescription that was just written. If you do choose to fill that prescription, please know what it will do to the body that you are administring it to. Drugs do change the landscape of the body. I feel we need to be responsible and try to counteract, as much as possible, the negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
At the end of the day my decisions on how I raise my children may raise an eyebrow or two, but I know that I am doing what is best for their health. After all the Hippocratic Oath that all doctors take says "do no harm". My interpretation of harm varies a lot from the general public's unfortunately. Oh well, my hope is that my children will be healthy and happy.

What Kate Ate 1/20/11

Green tea
Oatmeal
Black bean stew with masa harina dumplings
Brown rice and lentil soup

Season of Soup

Soup may not sound all that interesting or for matter look that appetizing, but the fact of the matter is that it is cheap, can be super tasty and is easy to make. My family always makes a face like "oh no, not another soup!" At the end of the meal they usually tell me that it was enjoyable for the most part and that I am allowed to make it again. Because I like to tinker with recipes, soup is the perfect canvas to create. You can make the soup as simple as four ingredients or get super creative and create a masterpiece. I have yet to create a master peice soup, but I am on a quest to do so. It is my goal to make a soup that even my 18 month old son will eat, for my daughter to want seconds, and for my husband to declare that I am the best soup maker ever!! Tall order, but I think I can do it. I first like to see what I have in the kitchen and go from there. Beans make an excellant ingredient for soup. They are cheap and also rather filling. Beans are also a great source of protein that is easily digested by the body. Vegetables are always a good choice. Any vegetable and as many as you like usually works. Meat for some is a must, but if you are on a tight budget it may not be possible. I have found that dumplings are a big hit in my household. Super easy to make and the kids love them. I will try to remember my recipes and share them with you; failures and all!

What Kate Ate 1/12/11
Green tea
Oatmeal
Kale, sweet potatoes, quinoa
Tea
Some soup that I made with what I could find in the kitchen!
Gingerbread cookies