The best advice I ever had #2 Avoiding Eczema

I am continuing my series on good advice that has helped me as a mother of young children. When starting solid foods, I had no idea how intentional I needed to be. I read to add one food item at a time and wait a few days for reactions. I found several food allergies in my first daughter that way. She has an eczema reaction to strawberries, peaches and squash to name a few. Besides being heartbroken about all of the good food she would miss out on as a baby. I was very happy to know the cause. I did not have give her medicine to treat eczema. We found the cause, great healthy food that dear old Mom was giving her.

I always feel so sad when parents have not looked at their child's diet and there is a bad case eczema present. I cringe to think of how many kids get topical steroids when they just need to avoid dairy or even strawberries.

Major Drug Recall for Pediatric Susp.--Tylenol & Zyrtec

Please check your allergy, pain and fever medications. McNeil has announced a major recall. Most items have already been removed from the shelves; however, you may have product at your home. If you have affected product at home, contact McNeil for a refund or take them into your local pharmacy for more advice, especially if you feel that your child reacted differently to the medication this time.

Information about the recall of certain Infants’ and Children’s products April 30, 2010 Information about previous recalls McNeil Consumer Healthcare Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain OTC Infants’ and Children's Products Fort Washington, PA (April 30, 2010) – McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is voluntarily recalling all lots that have not yet expired of certain over-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products manufactured in the United States and distributed in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait. (SEE RECALLED PRODUCT LIST BELOW). McNeil Consumer Healthcare is initiating this voluntary recall because some of these products may not meet required quality standards. This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events. However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use. The company is conducting a comprehensive quality assessment across its manufacturing operations and has identified corrective actions that will be implemented before new manufacturing is initiated at the plant where the recalled products were made. Consumers can contact the company at 1-888-222-6036 and also atwww.mcneilproductrecall.com. Parents and caregivers who are not sure about alternative pediatric health treatment options should talk to their doctor or pharmacist and are reminded to never give drug products to infants and children that are not intended for those age groups as this could result in serious harm. For additional information, including affected NDC numbers, consumers should visit our website www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch. McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. markets a broad range of well-known OTC products. ### CLICK HERE FOR RECALL INFORMATION ON CERTAIN INFANTS' TYLENOL® AND CHILDREN'S TYLENOL® PRODUCTS CLICK HERE FOR RECALL INFORMATION ON CERTAIN INFANTS' MOTRIN® AND CHILDREN'S MOTRIN® PRODUCTS CLICK HERE FOR RECALL INFORMATION ON CERTAIN CHILDREN'S ZYRTEC® PRODUCTS CLICK HERE FOR RECALL INFORMATION ON CERTAIN CHILDREN'S BENADRYL® PRODUCTS CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON ALL RECALLED PRODUCTS FROM APRIL 30, 2010

Best Advice I Ever Had #1 The extra diaper bag

Hello All,

I am going to do a series on the best mommy advise I every received. The first piece of advice that comes to minds is in the area of organization. One of the hardest things about having a new baby is figuring out how to lug all of your stuff around. One way to make this part easier is to carry a small diaper bag with you. Just place the essentials inside, enough for 2 or 3 diaper changes and a small item of clothing for emergencies.

In your vehicle, however, keep the mother load. Have a large diaper bag with enough for your entire outing and several clothing changes. If you drive more than one vehicle, put one bag in each car. The only hard part is to check it regularly and update the sizes in the large bag. Remembering to check gets harder when the baby becomes a toddler and may not change sizes as frequently.

I loved this piece of advice because I didn't have to be weighed down with "stuff" all of the time. I was prepared for accidents, extended outings (i.e. something keeps you out longer than expected), and when you inevitably forget something important at home. I was glad for this spare bag many days.

If you have the best mommy advice ever, please leave me a comment or email.

DOUBLE DUTY MEAL

Do you hate to cook multiple meals for your family so that all of your family members will be satisfied? I do. I am trying to eat my healthfully and other still want all of the favor that salt and meat bring. Today I scored a big thumbs up with my version of a classic, Ratatouille. I figured I could have sausage for the meat lovers to add to their dish. As it turned out, my husband loved it without the sausage. I used summer squash which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acid, B vitamins and vitamin C. Here is my version.

1 large onion

3 large yellow squash

2 large zucchini squash

1 can diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

1 to 2 tablespoons creole seasoning (Emeril has a recipe for this. Leave out the salt.)

2 teaspoons dry basil

Garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

1 bell pepper (mine was roasted)

2 cups steamed brown rice.

Slice onion into rings but place the discs in tact into the skillet of hot oil to caramelize. Put fresh garlic in the pan with onions at the last minute. Take onions and garlic out for the pan. Add a little water to the pan to deglaze. Put your thinly sliced squash into the pan with the can of diced tomatoes and diced bell pepper. Add seasonings to taste and let come to a boil. Add the onions and garlic back into the pan and toss to coat with seasoning. Reduce heat and continue to simmer about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the top and continue to simmer to reduce liquid down. You could cut up some Andouille or smoked sausage and cook with the squash or just serve in on top after you are done.

Super Simple Recipe Surprise -- Banana Pudding Fix

If you can stand the color, this might become the best little dish you have had in a long time. I was totally surprised by the flavor. It tastes like the best banana pudding ever. I was looking for the Nilla Wafers to go on top.

Recipe

1 perfectly ripe banana

1 perfectly ripe small avocado.

Place both in a bullet mixer or other small mixer and blend until smooth.

The high fat content of the avocado made this mixture blend smooth like a pudding. Yummo! The only catch is the green color. Love love love it!