Brussel Sprouts
My husband and I went out for dinner last night at a fantastic little Bistro not far from home, Solo Bistro for those of you in the Bath area.

The seasonal accompaniment with nearly every dish was....Roasted Brussel Sprouts.  Ugh!  I can still recall being a little girl and eating one...it was NOT tasty at all.  Never had them since, my husband recalled a similar childhood experience with some ill-prepared sprouts.  We were hesitant but we both got them figuring everything at this Bistro was so yummy, surely they wouldn't serve them if they didn't taste good.

They arrived at the table, we looked at each other...I said "You first".  He tried it and smiled..."These are delicious!"  I was still a little hesitant thinking he may trick with me, but I tasted one....and what a surprise.  It really was delicious.  We both cleared our plates, very proud of ourselves.

This got me thinking....nutritionally what's the benefit of eating Brussel Sprouts?  Here is what I found out:
                    1.  4 Brussel Sprouts is about 60 calories
                    2.  Especially high in Vitamin C 120% RDV
                    3.  3 grams of Fiber
                    4.  2 grams of Protein
                    5.  Good source of Folate
                    6.  Contain Sulforaphane, a chemical believed to have potent anticancer properties
                    7.  Contain indole-3-carbinol, a chemical that boosts DNA repair and blocks the growth of cancer cells.

Believed to be cultivated from Ancient Rome and are the same species as broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, and kale.  They are in season at this very moment.  Check your local farmers market and don't be afraid to cook some for dinner tonight.

 
Fluoridated Water
This seems like a really obvious answer, but what I'm about to share with you will be both surprising and may even make you angry.

You know that you shouldn't swallow your toothpaste because although fluoride is excellent for your teeth it's not good for your body.  As indicated on the back of any tube of toothpaste, if you do swallow too much fluoride you are instructed to contact the poison control center.

Which causes me to pause, and think...so why do "they" ADD fluoride to our drinking water?  The Center for Disease Control, American Dental Association, and Delta Dental are campaigning in full force to add this unnecessary and toxic chemical to all public drinking water without precaution.  More than 200 million Americans have been and are currently drinking fluoridated water and most are totally unaware of this.  Although Fluoride is a natural mineral, the stuff they add to your water is not naturally occurring, they are manufactured chemicals.

What's the big deal?  In January 2011, the CDC reported that 41% of children ages 12-15 have dental fluorosis, overexposure to fluoride.  It's the only chemical added to your drinking water for the purpose of medication.  In the 1940's dentists believed that fluoride needed to be ingested to be most effective.  Modern medicine has long since disproved that notion but we continue to ingest it every day as well as the risks associated with it.

Risks you ask?  Fluoride becomes very active inside the body and is a neurotoxin.  Adverse effects such as risk to the brain-especially in children, reduction of thyroid activity, weak bones, risk for bone cancer and anyone with kidney disease.  The ADA has admitted that babies should not consume fluoridated water as it greatly increases their risk of dental fluorosis as well as damage developing tissues, and the brain causing learning deficits and other problems.  I know when I started making formula my Pediatrician recommended I use tap water over bottled water so that she could build up a tolerance to local immunities.  Did not once mention anything about fluoride!

Are you affected? 95% of Europe has said NO to fluoridation.  Your voice can stop this nonsense in your local community so that you can protect your family. Click to find out if your community is part of this problem. 
Need some inspiration?  Visit this website to see how more than 250 communities like yours have rejected Fluoridation. 

Want more info?  Here are a few resources:
Fluoride Facts

50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation

Infant Overview Handout

Infant Video Overview


Conclusion:  Medication should not be forced on us through the water supply.  Fluoride is a medicine and should not be ingested by adults but ESPECIALLY children.  They are getting way too much fluoride from a number of sources and it's causing more harm than good.  Never use Fluoridated water to make baby formula, switch to bottled water.  Most bottled water is purified and stripped of everything that was added to it. 

 
Organic Grocery Stores
Buying organic food in Health Food Stores can be overwhelming if you are new to the whole organic movement.  I have a friend who recently drove almost an hour to Whole Foods for the first time and she found it to be really intimidating. 

Here are 3 tips to make your trip to the Organic Grocery Store a success!

TIP 1:  Price Shop
There is a big mark-up on Organic and Natural Food.  Prices can be marked up from to 250% for products on the shelves and up to 450% on produce!  I personally shop here, as I've found the prices to be quite a bit lower than all the Organic Grocery Stores in my area, and I get free shipping to my home...added bonus for a busy mom!

TIP 2:  Make a List
I try to figure out what I'm going to make for the week and make a list of everything we need.  I find if I don't have a list I sort of wander aimlessly and end up with a bunch of random things in my cart.  I think this was my friends issue last week, she went in not having anything in particular she wanted to buy so it's no wonder she was a bit intimidated.

TIP 3:  Try Something New
If you normally shop at conventional grocery stores you will probably find lots of things that you've never heard of before.  Don't be afraid to try new things!  Bring your children with you and let them pick out something, they will be more likely to try new foods if they picked them out.

Happy shopping!  Don't forget to check out this new Organic Grocery Store...you will thank me later :)