Ear Infections & What To Do

Now that summer is here and the kids are swimming in the pool more, it's common for swimmer's ear to develop.  Swimmer's ear is the inflammation of the external ear canal and is caused when water is retained in the ear.  Healthychildren.org, part of the American Association of Pediatrics, recommends using a preventative solution of 70% alcohol solution (rubbing alcohol) or a mixture of 1/2 parts rubbing alcohol, 1/2 parts white vinegar, if your child is susceptible to this problem.

Swimmer's ear and other ear infections can be very painful to experience.  Signs to look for include your child complaining about pain in their ears, tugging on the ears, signs of irritability or more crying than usual (especially when lying down), trouble sleeping or hearing, fever, loss of appetite, or fluid draining from the ears.  If you notice pus or fluid coming from the ears, it means the eardrum has ruptured.  Simply wipe away the fluid with a clean cloth and avoid plugging with cotton, as retained pus can further cause irritation and infection.

Like most illnesses, ways to avoid ear infections can come down to frequent hand washing (to eliminate the spreading of germs).  This is especially true during fall and winter months, where common colds and illnesses are rampant, but good hand washing should be put into action year round for both you, your child, and anyone else who comes into contact with your family, such as a day care provider, teacher, classmates, or other family members.  Second hand smoke has also been linked to a variety of childhood illnesses and it is recommended you keep your child away from exposure.  Kidshealth.org also encourages breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months as many antibodies in breast milk can help developing immune systems fight off infections and illnesses.

If you believe your child has an ear infection, be aware that many doctors may take a "wait and see" approach and not immediately prescribe antibiotics unless their is a pressing need or the infection takes place in a young infant.  Reasons for this may be that the infection is caused by a virus and antibiotics won't do anything or doctors fear the overuse of drugs can lead to bacteria developing resistance to the medicine.  They may ask you to wait and observe your child over a 48-72 hour time frame before they will prescribe anything.  Tylenol and a clean, warm compresses can help alleviate some of the pain your child is experiencing.  It is still a good idea to take your child to the doctor if you suspect an ear infection, as they can examine the ear to make sure the eardrum is still intact and or decide if it has been cause by a virus or bacteria.

photo courtesy of marchofdimes.com

Meatless Monday: Grill Master Edition

It's Monday again, time to start the week off right with some delicious meatless recipes!  Seems like most evenings you can smell someone grilling something, so tonight, why not let it be you!

We'll kick things off with a tasty Moroccan- inspired side dish from Dinners and Dreams.  Her Mushroom Skewers are packed with flavor featuring harissa, a Moroccan red pepper sauce.  Remember to soak your skewers before putting your veggies on them as they will quickly catch on fire from the grill.

This next recipe is a perfect dish, especially when you need a meal in a hurry.  It's nutritious, delicious, and a great meal that will leave you satisfied.  Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant Parmesan from the Cookin' Canuck takes 10 minutes or less to prepare AND cook!  It's also a perfect dish to make when you have just a little bit of left over spaghetti sauce, and don't want pasta again.

Speaking of fast, this next recipe again, takes 10 minutes or less to prepare and cook.  It's almost too good to be true!  The kids, especially, will love this one!  Grilled Tomato-Basil Pita Pizzas from Kraft, a fun way to get the kids to the dinner table.

This last recipe is stuffed with everything...literally.  Veggies, spices, protein, you name it, it's got it, with a name to match!   Grilled Tex-Mex Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins from Half Baked Harvest...a healthy alternative to yummy potato skins by using sweet potatoes, and chocked full of flavor thanks to Tieghan, a talented, young foodie.  Try them out for yourself!

Feel free to comment about which recipe is your favorite on our Facebook page-happy eating!

Natural Bug Repellants

As the weather warms up and we find ourselves outside more, we might also find ourselves cutting that outside time short because of pesky bugs.  Besides being annoying and causing a harrassing itch, mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects can carry disease. By following these simple tips, you can safely and naturally repel bugs from your yard and home, or anywhere you may go, all summer long.

The first thought you have when working to keep bugs away is to simply apply a bug spray, however more studies are coming out warning us of a chemical called DEET that is commonly used in many sprays on the market.  DEET is an insecticide that can affect the nervous system and is very toxic to birds and aquatic life.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you do not use products containing DEET on children under the age of 2 months, and limiting the application of DEET on children over 2 months to one time a day.  Washing your and your children's hands after application is also highly recommended, as is washing your child's body after you return inside.

If you are still interested in using a spray, spray pump bottles are recommended over aerosol cans, according to WebMD, as less inhalation of chemicals will result from the spray pump.  There are a wide range of products out that are DEET free, many made by baby specific companies, like the ones below.

Top Row-California Baby, Badger Balm, Honest Company, Bite Blocker; Bottom Row-Babyganics, Burt's Bees

You can also make your own homemade, DEET free spray, by mixing essential oils that naturally repel insects like lavender, citronella, and clove.  Wellness Mama has some great recipes as does The Prairie Homestead, on how to make your own bug sprays.

If you find that you have a lot of mosquitoes around your yard, try planting some different herbs like mint, and rosemary or other foliage like lemongrass and marigolds, that serve double duty by adding pretty color and keeping pests away.  One Kings Lane gives some other great examples of colorful plants to choose from. 

You say you don't have a green thumb?  Simply eliminating standing water (mosquitoes thrive with even a quarter inch of water) from bird baths, gutters, or potted plants will help reduce the number of creatures from your yard.  Fans also help keep bugs at bay as they wind they create is too powerful for their little wings to navigate through.

And if you find that you're going to be ankle or knee high in plants, say because you're hiking or cutting an overgrown lawn...then long pants and long sleeves are your best bet.  Just wait until dusk or later to avoid overheating.

Meatless Monday: Picnic Style

With the warm weather and kids out of school, take the time to enjoy the outdoors by having a picnic.  You can go to the park or even spread a table cloth out in your yard (or even in your house if it's raining).   Today's picnic inspired menu is easy and delicious!

A red raspberry salad from Taste and Tell is a great new salad recipe to try.  The sweet raspberry dressing and multiple fruits tossed in, will satisfy you as a great meal starter.

This yummy balsamic pasta with veggies from Bake Your Day can be served warm or cool, which makes it a perfect recipe for any picnic!  And as Cassie suggests, you can use any leftover veggies so you can customize this based on what you have in your fridge!

To top everything off on a sweet note, these chocolate dipped elephant ears are the perfect balance to this picnic meal.  From eatwell101, these 3 little ingredients form a delicious dessert.

For more Meatless Monday recipes check out our Pinterest board.  Here's to a Happy Monday!

Meatless Monday: Mushroom Inspired Super-Foods

These new Meatless Monday recipes disguise a great veggie like mushrooms, into some irresistible and delicious entrees that the whole family can enjoy. Mushrooms have been considered a super-food as they are a great source of vitamin D and calcium and are one of the greatest foods to help boost your immune system.  According to Health.com, cooking them brings out more muscle building potassium, as opposed to eating them raw, which might help babies and young children, chew and swallow them more easily.  The following recipes are a great way to use the grill and step outside to enjoy the beginning of a new summer month!

First, are these absolutely scrumptious Mini Portobello Burgers from Country Living. Treat you and your family to an outside dinner with these perfect-sized burgers and enjoy summer before it gets too hot.

Vegetable Kabobs, from Life As Mom blogger, Jessica Fisher, are also a great grilling meal that are made just perfect with some mushrooms thrown into the mix (with such pretty colors, maybe the kiddos won't even notice they're eating healthy stuff)!

Substituting the meat in a kid-favorite meal for a meatless option is another yummy way to introduce this super-food into your child's diet. This yummy Mushroom Parmesan spin from KitchMe is an exceptional recipe that you and your family can enjoy.

To see more recipes for this amazing super-food check out our Pinterest Meatless Monday board. Have a happy Monday filled with good eating!

Meatless Monday: Easy Easter Inspired Dishes

Here comes Peter Cottontail... Easter is just under two weeks away and although it's on a Sunday, we thought we'd share some cute recipes you can use that are meatless for your holiday celebration.  Don't forget to check out our last post that also ties in with the Easter theme here, featuring dishes that include carrots!  

Bunny-face pancakes will make your little ones squeal with delight!  Get creative or let your kids decorate their bunny's face.

Need to make a festive appetizer?  How about this Vegetable Carrot from Saavy Mom?  Super easy, and can be paired with any veggie dip you can think of!

Or use up some of those hard boiled eggs to create these super cute Deviled Egg Chicks.

Hungry Happenings gives a great picture tutorial on how to make these adorable egg salad stuffed croissant carrots.

Here's to a Happy Easter!

Meatless Monday: Carrot Craze

Carrots are one of the 40 best anti-aging super foods according to Menshealth.com, so we thought today's Meatless Monday post should encompass this wonderful orange veggie.  Often associated with the benefit of improving one's eyesight due to vitamin A and beta carotene, carrots hold an array of features and benefits that can aid your health.  It can help prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as flush toxins and lower cholesterol, making carrots a worthwhile investment in your diet.

Today's menu features some unique ways to try this tasty root vegetable.

An orange puree made of yams and carrot from Parenting.com can be used to introduce your baby to solids, as well as a way to sneak veggies into your child's entree.  We even like it as an alternative to mashed potatoes as the consistency is thick enough for adults using standard dinnerware, like a fork.

Not into pureed versions of food?  Then this ginger, citrus, and carrot medley, courtesy of The First Mess, may be for you.  With black sesames, avocado, and edamame, this vegetable medley covers all the nutritional bases.  With a citrus-y Asian dressing, this will surely brighten up your taste buds.

Looking for more of a comfort food to warm you up until spring gets here?  A Carrot and Parmesan Risotto from What's Gaby Cooking, is just what the doctor ordered.  All it takes is the patience to cook risotto, but oh what the payoff will be!

And if you just need a quick and easy alternative for a side dish and want a new recipe, then Carrot and Parsnip Fries is the answer.  Our favorite crafty lady, Martha Stewart, shares this wonderful recipe, that bakes, not fries the veggies, so you don't lose any of the nutritional benefits.

Check out our Pinterest board for more carrot and Meatless Monday recipes!