I live in a nice little lake community. Not a Up-In-The-Mountains-Hot-Tube-Touting-Log-Cabin community... more of a Man-Made-Lake-with-summer-homes-converted-into-year-round-houses-next-to-a-major-highway-in-New-Jersey kind of Lake Community. So, I guess, besides having a lake, it's like any other neighborhood. The houses are pretty close together, and the kids can still play out in the street (with proper supervision and a smattering of "children at play" road signs thrown out there.
Living this close to your neighbors requires a certain amount of patience and .... what's the word I'm looking for.... hhhmmmm..... forbearance. Yes, that's the word I am looking for.
Forbearance: 1 : a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due
I am uniquely qualified to spy... I mean see, my neighbors. My house is on a corner lot with my house positioned on the side. Out my back deck I face 3 neighbors backyards and see 2 neighbors front yards (across the street). Here's my list:
#1) Neighbor across the street, built a dog run with dog house for his dog to reside in during the day while he is at work. It's a beagle and she's a barker. A constant, non stop barker. (I spoke to the neighbor and he explained that she keeps having "accidents" in the house so she has to stay outside while he is at work)
#2) Old lady across the street who can barely stand, shuffles herself and her decrepid dreadlocked maltese thingy-ma-bob over to my lawn for relief. The first couple of times I thought "well, she probably can't bend over to pick it up because she's just too old" after the seventh or eighth time she did it right in front of me... without even a "Hello Deary" I considered bagging the poop and leaving it on her front stoop. Yeah Yeah she is old... but here's the kicker, she has her own yard!
#3) Neighbor behind me rarely mows their lawn. By "rarely" I mean, they mowed their lawn 2 times last year. TWICE. AND I think one of those times they did it with a weed wacker... the whole lawn! They didn't mow the backyard once last year. This year, they hired someone to come in and do something and the outcome was that the yard was mowed... but that was months ago!
#4) There are a couple of houses across from each other that have kids that all play. These kids range from 2nd grade to 5th. They are like a swarm of mosquitos, hovering and flitting about, in the middle of the street. They aren't too bad when you walk by, they are actually quite nice... it's driving by that they turn into evil spawn. First of all, they stay in the middle of the road and ignore the fact that you are driving towards them. They don't move. They wait until you stop. They look at you... act surprised that a car is trying to drive down the road... then saunter... not walk, they actually reluctantly saunter out of the middle of the road and only provide JUST enough room for a car to go through. Next time... Next time... I'm getting out and I'm going to talk to their parents. (although the kids did come to my kids lemonade stand and spend all their quarters... so I might let them off with a warning)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The Health Shoppes - A Gluten Free Shopping Review
My avid readers are aware that my family is now on Day 6 of a gluten free diet. The elimination diet was prompted by my review of the long list of symptoms of gluten intolerance… matched against my 7 year olds, long list of complaints. AND so, the quest for palatable gluten free food commenced.
I’ve picked up many things at the Super Stop ‘n Shop, nothing at Pathmark and I haven’t tried Shoprite yet. Trader Joes, while an excellent experience, was a gluten free disappointment. Yesterday my kids and I went to a tiny whole in the wall The Health Shoppe, in my town and it was a veritable Gluten Free Bonanza!
However, I walked out of the store with three small grocery bags, and a bill of over $100.00!
But I go too fast…. Here’s the run down:
The Appearance: The store was in a strip mall, next to a Large Petco and Pathmark. I have been to this strip mall literally hundreds of times, there is a McDonalds, a Dollar Store, and a Stone Cold Creamery place… but I never noticed The Health Shoppe. In fact, I had to call and ask where they were located and was pleasantly surprised they were so close and convenient.
The inside of the store resembled a standard vitamin shop. Nothing fancy. Again, it was small, and I thought I would be disappointed… again.
The Products This small store was laid out in theory like a large store. Everything in its own place and similar items together. Here’s where this store excelled. In each product group there was one or more items specifically labeled “Gluten Free”. I picked up pasta sauce and very light brown rice spaghetti noodles. I picked up some chicklet like candies. I found… frozen pizza with whole milk mozzarella, I found fudgesicles, I found cookies, more pretzels, chocolate bars with rice crispies, and chocolate bar with almonds. I found a frozen Mac N Cheese dinner.
Honestly, this tiny store was packed with great food, but the amazing and more monumental discovery, was the frozen pizza. TINY 6 inch pie… that tasted GREAT! The kids loved it. AND I was hoping they would since it was $8.00 a pie!
The Employee There was a single waif like 30 something man behind the counter. He offered no help. He offered no comment. In fact, he was less than helpful when my 4 year old announced she had to go potty and I asked about facilities, he sent me over to Pathmark. OH yeah, I forgot…. When I was checking out, he actually “harrumphed” his disapproval of my purchase of the soy chocolate pudding treats and candy bars (at first I thought he had Tourette’s, but I checked him out… no twitching). Fortunately the store is small enough to never have to ask the attendant to step down from his elevated cashiers position.
The Patron Just us. One 43 year old mom, with a 4, 5, and 7 year old in tow. We spent a bit of time there, (as we had to walk to pathmark for the potty) and not even any walk by traffic.
The Prices This store was HUGELY expensive. It seemed like nothing was under $5.00! It was the only place, so far, that I have found the frozen pizza, so I may just use this store for Pizza Fridays! Everything else, I have found in a combination of all the other stores I visit. Trader Joes has a great gluten free spaghetti sauce, and Super Stop N Shop has everything else.
Overall Impression I was originally overjoyed to find so many gluten free items in one spot, until I got to the register and had to pay. The Store, The Employee, The Prices all make me feel like I don’t want to go back. But go back I will… because they are the only ones that carry the frozen pizza. I can’t help but think that a little makeover might bring some more customers… From the outside it looks like a 5 and Dime or a vitamin shop, not a little mini grocery store.
I’ve been informed that there is a larger The Health Shoppe in a neighboring town. I may stop in to see if there is a huge difference, or… if they have a larger variety of gluten free pizza.
I hope you are enjoying my quest for the perfect gluten free shopping experience!
I’ve picked up many things at the Super Stop ‘n Shop, nothing at Pathmark and I haven’t tried Shoprite yet. Trader Joes, while an excellent experience, was a gluten free disappointment. Yesterday my kids and I went to a tiny whole in the wall The Health Shoppe, in my town and it was a veritable Gluten Free Bonanza!
However, I walked out of the store with three small grocery bags, and a bill of over $100.00!
But I go too fast…. Here’s the run down:
The Appearance: The store was in a strip mall, next to a Large Petco and Pathmark. I have been to this strip mall literally hundreds of times, there is a McDonalds, a Dollar Store, and a Stone Cold Creamery place… but I never noticed The Health Shoppe. In fact, I had to call and ask where they were located and was pleasantly surprised they were so close and convenient.
The inside of the store resembled a standard vitamin shop. Nothing fancy. Again, it was small, and I thought I would be disappointed… again.
The Products This small store was laid out in theory like a large store. Everything in its own place and similar items together. Here’s where this store excelled. In each product group there was one or more items specifically labeled “Gluten Free”. I picked up pasta sauce and very light brown rice spaghetti noodles. I picked up some chicklet like candies. I found… frozen pizza with whole milk mozzarella, I found fudgesicles, I found cookies, more pretzels, chocolate bars with rice crispies, and chocolate bar with almonds. I found a frozen Mac N Cheese dinner.
Honestly, this tiny store was packed with great food, but the amazing and more monumental discovery, was the frozen pizza. TINY 6 inch pie… that tasted GREAT! The kids loved it. AND I was hoping they would since it was $8.00 a pie!
The Employee There was a single waif like 30 something man behind the counter. He offered no help. He offered no comment. In fact, he was less than helpful when my 4 year old announced she had to go potty and I asked about facilities, he sent me over to Pathmark. OH yeah, I forgot…. When I was checking out, he actually “harrumphed” his disapproval of my purchase of the soy chocolate pudding treats and candy bars (at first I thought he had Tourette’s, but I checked him out… no twitching). Fortunately the store is small enough to never have to ask the attendant to step down from his elevated cashiers position.
The Patron Just us. One 43 year old mom, with a 4, 5, and 7 year old in tow. We spent a bit of time there, (as we had to walk to pathmark for the potty) and not even any walk by traffic.
The Prices This store was HUGELY expensive. It seemed like nothing was under $5.00! It was the only place, so far, that I have found the frozen pizza, so I may just use this store for Pizza Fridays! Everything else, I have found in a combination of all the other stores I visit. Trader Joes has a great gluten free spaghetti sauce, and Super Stop N Shop has everything else.
Overall Impression I was originally overjoyed to find so many gluten free items in one spot, until I got to the register and had to pay. The Store, The Employee, The Prices all make me feel like I don’t want to go back. But go back I will… because they are the only ones that carry the frozen pizza. I can’t help but think that a little makeover might bring some more customers… From the outside it looks like a 5 and Dime or a vitamin shop, not a little mini grocery store.
I’ve been informed that there is a larger The Health Shoppe in a neighboring town. I may stop in to see if there is a huge difference, or… if they have a larger variety of gluten free pizza.
I hope you are enjoying my quest for the perfect gluten free shopping experience!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Me and Trader Joes - A Gluten Free Shopping Review
Recently I started my family on a Gluten Free Diet. My 7 year old has several health issues that may be attributed to an intolerance to gluten, so to determine whether that is the case, I have implemented a 3 week elimination diet. That's 3 weeks gluten free.
But I digress, ... so, my usual grocery stomping grounds consist of ShopRite, Pathmark & Super Stop N Shop. I suppose I should say this right up front. I'm not a lover of food... I'm an eater of food. I enjoy a good meal, but I could eat pizza every day of the week and be happy. My kids have a couple of favorites and only the older 2 are even willing to eat something new... and only the oldest will eat a new green item without a battle. (My kids are 4, 5, & 7)
In my quest for easy to prepare clearly labeled Gluten Free items.... I headed over to our local Trader Joes.
Now, most of you know... if I don't have to go into the office... I'm not getting into the shower. On a good day, that's nothing a clean pair of cut-offs and NY Yankees cap can't fix. Today was no different. I was sans children as I picked the day their father had visitation for my first foray, to aisles of TJ's (as it is known to the locals).
The Appearance: My first impression was good. It was clean and well laid out. It had a wood floor, while I don't know it if was recycled wood, it certainly looks like it was salvaged from an old barn or ship. The products appeared to ALL have hand drawn labels. Like a high school art major gone wild with markers! Circling, swirling, lots of colors... big handwritten easy to read letters. (My 43 year old lazy brain thought, "I wonder if I can get that font for my computer")
The Products: At a glance, EVERYTHING appears to be organic. I only found the following items specifically labeled gluten free: 5 cheese spaghetti sauce, brown rice spaghetti noodles, 1 loaf of really hard bread, (this I didn't buy), granola, Many Many Chips and Snacky things.
The one thing I wanted. pizza. not there.
The Employees: Very very nice. The check out counter is also wood. The check out person is nice and chatty. AND when I say chatty, I don't mean chatting with the person bagging about the party they went to, or about getting their 4 inch long nails done... they chatted with me. They looked me in the eye. They smiled. The check out was a real human experience. nice.
The Patrons: Now, first let me say, I looked like I totally fit in. I supposed if someone had looked closer they would have noticed that I was wearing the Walmart version of crocs and that I had cut-off my own jeans and the distressed look was authentic, in that I had distressed my jeans over the course of the 10 years I had owned them! AND, I got the impression that the people with children were on a game show called, "Look what a good parent I am" Each contestant was challenged to elevate their preschoolers vocabulary to college level in 10 minutes. (ok, that was a little harsh, but you know what I mean) for all that, the people were
nice.
The Prices: I purchased about 4 bags of chips, spaghetti sauce and noodles, 3 boxes of frozen waffles, granola, (I think that's it) and it came to $28.00. Not too bad. All of the items were organic and gluten-free. I later found that the pricing for the items is around the same as the Super Stop N Shop (although I couldn't find gluten free spaghetti sauce at the stop n shop)
Overall Impression: I like the store, but I didn't find much I needed. I was disappointed by the lack of gluten free items. There were a few... but not many. (I later found that almost all of the items I found at Trader Joe's were also available at my Super Stop N Shop)
AND, Although the employees certainly didn't make me feel strange, the other patrons all seemed to be in the same "club". Perhaps it was my insecurities... my own love for the prepackaged meal... but I felt like an impostor.
Conclusion: If you are looking for a great selection of wholesome, organic food and intelligent and friendly service... Trader Joe's is an great and pretty inexpensive solution.
If you are looking for gluten free, not so much.
But I digress, ... so, my usual grocery stomping grounds consist of ShopRite, Pathmark & Super Stop N Shop. I suppose I should say this right up front. I'm not a lover of food... I'm an eater of food. I enjoy a good meal, but I could eat pizza every day of the week and be happy. My kids have a couple of favorites and only the older 2 are even willing to eat something new... and only the oldest will eat a new green item without a battle. (My kids are 4, 5, & 7)
In my quest for easy to prepare clearly labeled Gluten Free items.... I headed over to our local Trader Joes.
Now, most of you know... if I don't have to go into the office... I'm not getting into the shower. On a good day, that's nothing a clean pair of cut-offs and NY Yankees cap can't fix. Today was no different. I was sans children as I picked the day their father had visitation for my first foray, to aisles of TJ's (as it is known to the locals).
The Appearance: My first impression was good. It was clean and well laid out. It had a wood floor, while I don't know it if was recycled wood, it certainly looks like it was salvaged from an old barn or ship. The products appeared to ALL have hand drawn labels. Like a high school art major gone wild with markers! Circling, swirling, lots of colors... big handwritten easy to read letters. (My 43 year old lazy brain thought, "I wonder if I can get that font for my computer")
The Products: At a glance, EVERYTHING appears to be organic. I only found the following items specifically labeled gluten free: 5 cheese spaghetti sauce, brown rice spaghetti noodles, 1 loaf of really hard bread, (this I didn't buy), granola, Many Many Chips and Snacky things.
The one thing I wanted. pizza. not there.
The Employees: Very very nice. The check out counter is also wood. The check out person is nice and chatty. AND when I say chatty, I don't mean chatting with the person bagging about the party they went to, or about getting their 4 inch long nails done... they chatted with me. They looked me in the eye. They smiled. The check out was a real human experience. nice.
The Patrons: Now, first let me say, I looked like I totally fit in. I supposed if someone had looked closer they would have noticed that I was wearing the Walmart version of crocs and that I had cut-off my own jeans and the distressed look was authentic, in that I had distressed my jeans over the course of the 10 years I had owned them! AND, I got the impression that the people with children were on a game show called, "Look what a good parent I am" Each contestant was challenged to elevate their preschoolers vocabulary to college level in 10 minutes. (ok, that was a little harsh, but you know what I mean) for all that, the people were
nice.
The Prices: I purchased about 4 bags of chips, spaghetti sauce and noodles, 3 boxes of frozen waffles, granola, (I think that's it) and it came to $28.00. Not too bad. All of the items were organic and gluten-free. I later found that the pricing for the items is around the same as the Super Stop N Shop (although I couldn't find gluten free spaghetti sauce at the stop n shop)
Overall Impression: I like the store, but I didn't find much I needed. I was disappointed by the lack of gluten free items. There were a few... but not many. (I later found that almost all of the items I found at Trader Joe's were also available at my Super Stop N Shop)
AND, Although the employees certainly didn't make me feel strange, the other patrons all seemed to be in the same "club". Perhaps it was my insecurities... my own love for the prepackaged meal... but I felt like an impostor.
Conclusion: If you are looking for a great selection of wholesome, organic food and intelligent and friendly service... Trader Joe's is an great and pretty inexpensive solution.
If you are looking for gluten free, not so much.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Negative Power of Complaining
Several days a week I go into an office to work. Like most offices it is compiled of people that would never have voluntarily chosen to spend 8 hours a day together. I find that surviving in an office is a lot like driving on a New Jersey Highway. You just need to take a deep breath and don't let the other drivers get to you.
Just like the highway, there are people who insist on "teaching" you how to drive, they believe themselves to be excellent drivers and therefore make every effort to teach you by example... right down to making sure you can't pass them so you will be able to "learn" longer. (In the office this is similar to the person that feels they must walk you through your job, even though you have been doing it for years, they still feel the need to tell you what screens to go to in the software and what codes to use to access the information.)
Just like the highway, there are people driving slow in the fast lane... they seem placed there specifically to slow you down. (This is the person that reviews your urgent proposal for 4 days and then takes another 3 days to toggle between two different closings... Very truly yours, or Sincerely)
And Just like the highway, there are those people sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, that insist on beeping their horn, as if the 4 mile backup is due to someone "not going". (In the office this translates to the person that always complains and mostly about things that they have absolutely no control over)
This is the person I want to speak to today.
Stop it!
You complain after you return from a client site about; how far you had to drive, how dumb the client is, how cheap the client is, how difficult the project is... If you can't complain about the client, then you complain about; your girlfriend, your health, your parents dog! PLEASE.
You are like a great big bummer cloud, sucking the pleasure out of the air and raining down discontent.
I'm sure you don't believe this... but if you changed your negative ways, you would be much happier too.
If you have the urge to complain, stop.
If you must speak, make a positive comment about something good that happened today.
Go ahead try it
I'm waiting.
Hmmmmm not so easy right.
Is it because you think no one will care about... the great tune you heard on the radio this morning, or the fantastic sleep you had last night?
Is that is?
Honestly, if no one cares about the good stuff.... what makes you think we care about all of the things you are constantly complaining about?
PLEASE try.
Please try to be the person that comes in like the golden rays of the sun warming everyone with their positive glow and humor.... instead of the big bummer cloud!
I beg of you, on behalf of your co-workers....
If you have to talk...
and we have to listen -- We would prefer to hear about the cute thing that the little chipmunk did on your deck to taunt your dog this morning .... rather than... the lady at the Dunkin Donuts who apparently dedicated her morning to making yours more difficult, by not understanding your order the first time you interrupted your blackberry text-fest to give it to her.
In closing, you bring us down. And although secretly I'm hoping your don't read this post, because I have won the last 4 out of 5 "What-will-he-come-in-complaining-about-today" pools. I still have to think that although I won't be richer, I will be a little happier.
Just like the highway, there are people who insist on "teaching" you how to drive, they believe themselves to be excellent drivers and therefore make every effort to teach you by example... right down to making sure you can't pass them so you will be able to "learn" longer. (In the office this is similar to the person that feels they must walk you through your job, even though you have been doing it for years, they still feel the need to tell you what screens to go to in the software and what codes to use to access the information.)
Just like the highway, there are people driving slow in the fast lane... they seem placed there specifically to slow you down. (This is the person that reviews your urgent proposal for 4 days and then takes another 3 days to toggle between two different closings... Very truly yours, or Sincerely)
And Just like the highway, there are those people sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, that insist on beeping their horn, as if the 4 mile backup is due to someone "not going". (In the office this translates to the person that always complains and mostly about things that they have absolutely no control over)
This is the person I want to speak to today.
Stop it!
You complain after you return from a client site about; how far you had to drive, how dumb the client is, how cheap the client is, how difficult the project is... If you can't complain about the client, then you complain about; your girlfriend, your health, your parents dog! PLEASE.
You are like a great big bummer cloud, sucking the pleasure out of the air and raining down discontent.
I'm sure you don't believe this... but if you changed your negative ways, you would be much happier too.
If you have the urge to complain, stop.
If you must speak, make a positive comment about something good that happened today.
Go ahead try it
I'm waiting.
Hmmmmm not so easy right.
Is it because you think no one will care about... the great tune you heard on the radio this morning, or the fantastic sleep you had last night?
Is that is?
Honestly, if no one cares about the good stuff.... what makes you think we care about all of the things you are constantly complaining about?
PLEASE try.
Please try to be the person that comes in like the golden rays of the sun warming everyone with their positive glow and humor.... instead of the big bummer cloud!
I beg of you, on behalf of your co-workers....
If you have to talk...
and we have to listen -- We would prefer to hear about the cute thing that the little chipmunk did on your deck to taunt your dog this morning .... rather than... the lady at the Dunkin Donuts who apparently dedicated her morning to making yours more difficult, by not understanding your order the first time you interrupted your blackberry text-fest to give it to her.
In closing, you bring us down. And although secretly I'm hoping your don't read this post, because I have won the last 4 out of 5 "What-will-he-come-in-complaining-about-today" pools. I still have to think that although I won't be richer, I will be a little happier.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
10 Things I Didn't Know About Mono
Today I bring my 7 year old back to the Dr. for a blood test to rule out Mono. Yup, she's sick. Of course with the prospect of a blood test coming this morning... she says she feels "Much Better!" HA HA
Here's the list. I hope it helps!
10 things I didn’t know about Mono
1. Mono is caused by the Epstein –Bar Virus (“EBV”)which is a member of the herpesvirus family
2. By Adulthood most people have anti-bodies directed against EBV
3. Healthy people without symptoms secrete the EBV in their saliva FOR YEARS due to periodic “reactivations” of the viral infection
4. It is believed that these previously infected but currently healthy people are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV among humans
5. The incubation period is – up to 6 weeks!
6. People who have NEVER “had” mono-- but were exposed and therefore have the virus in their system as well as the anti-bodies -- can still be carriers and spew virus particles in their saliva during reactivations THROUGH OUT THEIR LIFETIME.
7. In addition to fatigue, headache, fever, soar throat, swollen glands and enlarged spleen, Hepatitis, Jaundice and a rash are symptoms.
8. The EBV virus can live for several hours outside the body and is very contagious
9. First identified in 1889 and called “glandular fever” it went through a series of renames and discoveries and eventually in 1964 was discovered to be a member of the Epstein Bar Virus
10. The big worry is rupture the spleen, so children and young adults are not allowed to participate in vigorous activities or contact sports (including rough housing with brothers and sisters)
Well that’s the list.
Mononucleosis diagnosis is based on a persons age, symptoms and a physical exam. A diagnosis of mononucleosis is made from laboratory tests including:
· Atypical lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell, in the blood. In mononucleosis, these atypical lymphocytes make up more than 10% of total lymphocytes.
· Increased total white blood cell count
· Antibody tests like the mono spot test.
· Additional Epstein Barr antibody tests
Here's the list. I hope it helps!
10 things I didn’t know about Mono
1. Mono is caused by the Epstein –Bar Virus (“EBV”)which is a member of the herpesvirus family
2. By Adulthood most people have anti-bodies directed against EBV
3. Healthy people without symptoms secrete the EBV in their saliva FOR YEARS due to periodic “reactivations” of the viral infection
4. It is believed that these previously infected but currently healthy people are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV among humans
5. The incubation period is – up to 6 weeks!
6. People who have NEVER “had” mono-- but were exposed and therefore have the virus in their system as well as the anti-bodies -- can still be carriers and spew virus particles in their saliva during reactivations THROUGH OUT THEIR LIFETIME.
7. In addition to fatigue, headache, fever, soar throat, swollen glands and enlarged spleen, Hepatitis, Jaundice and a rash are symptoms.
8. The EBV virus can live for several hours outside the body and is very contagious
9. First identified in 1889 and called “glandular fever” it went through a series of renames and discoveries and eventually in 1964 was discovered to be a member of the Epstein Bar Virus
10. The big worry is rupture the spleen, so children and young adults are not allowed to participate in vigorous activities or contact sports (including rough housing with brothers and sisters)
Well that’s the list.
Mononucleosis diagnosis is based on a persons age, symptoms and a physical exam. A diagnosis of mononucleosis is made from laboratory tests including:
· Atypical lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell, in the blood. In mononucleosis, these atypical lymphocytes make up more than 10% of total lymphocytes.
· Increased total white blood cell count
· Antibody tests like the mono spot test.
· Additional Epstein Barr antibody tests
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
WORKING FROM HOME WITH A SICK CHILD
Every parent has at some time or another had to make the decision of whether to go to work or stay home with a sick child.
This my friends, is where the benefit of being a work-from-home mom comes in.
This, my dear readers, is WHY you decided to work from home. (ok that and because the cost of child care was so prohibitive that every penny was going to "The Local Learning Academy" and none towards groceries)
Yesterday my 7 year old had 102.8 fever, I should have known something was brewing when she decided to take a nap. Eventually we got her fever down and she slept through the night. This morning she has a low grade fever but reports a "pukey" tummy and ear ache.
By tomorrow my other 2 youngster will probably bed ridden.
The Bad News: Three girls = Whine fest 2008
The Good News: I'm home.
If you are a work-from-home parent, you are probably aware of the one limitation of working from home AND watching the kids.
NO PHONE CALLS
The phone is a magnet or monumental proportions. They could all be in the living room putting together puzzles, playing with dolls, or the Little Tikes Kitchen... but as soon as the phone rings or you dial out.... All three of them PLUS THE DOG, will be tugging at your shirt for attention, repeating "mommy mommy mommy" or perhaps requesting a snack over and over again.
You can't even take the phone out into the back yard... because they will find you.
or worse.... the baby will suddenly and inexplicably wake up from his/her nap and start wailing! If you are a new mother, you know what that does... if you are a stay at home father... (sorry guys, but your not known for your multi-tasking abilities) you may even hang up on your caller just to go to the baby.
NO.... You must be aware of this limitation.
If you are working from home and you have younger children. You must NOT perform any phone work. If you can't NOT use the phone for your job, you may want to consider calling in reinforcements. Someone to sit with the kids while you make your calls.
Hope that helps.
This my friends, is where the benefit of being a work-from-home mom comes in.
This, my dear readers, is WHY you decided to work from home. (ok that and because the cost of child care was so prohibitive that every penny was going to "The Local Learning Academy" and none towards groceries)
Yesterday my 7 year old had 102.8 fever, I should have known something was brewing when she decided to take a nap. Eventually we got her fever down and she slept through the night. This morning she has a low grade fever but reports a "pukey" tummy and ear ache.
By tomorrow my other 2 youngster will probably bed ridden.
The Bad News: Three girls = Whine fest 2008
The Good News: I'm home.
If you are a work-from-home parent, you are probably aware of the one limitation of working from home AND watching the kids.
NO PHONE CALLS
The phone is a magnet or monumental proportions. They could all be in the living room putting together puzzles, playing with dolls, or the Little Tikes Kitchen... but as soon as the phone rings or you dial out.... All three of them PLUS THE DOG, will be tugging at your shirt for attention, repeating "mommy mommy mommy" or perhaps requesting a snack over and over again.
You can't even take the phone out into the back yard... because they will find you.
or worse.... the baby will suddenly and inexplicably wake up from his/her nap and start wailing! If you are a new mother, you know what that does... if you are a stay at home father... (sorry guys, but your not known for your multi-tasking abilities) you may even hang up on your caller just to go to the baby.
NO.... You must be aware of this limitation.
If you are working from home and you have younger children. You must NOT perform any phone work. If you can't NOT use the phone for your job, you may want to consider calling in reinforcements. Someone to sit with the kids while you make your calls.
Hope that helps.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Is Gluten Free the New Black?
Everyone seems to be coming up with Gluten Allergies... or should I say, Intolerance.
I was interested in finding out if being Gluten-Free was really a necessary evil or if it was just the latest and most fashionable eating trend... like South Beach, Atkins and the Cabbage Soup Diet. (What? You've never heard of the cabbage soup diet, my friend Diane swears by it. smile)
Let me tell you why I even googled the words, Gluten-Free.
My 7 year old. From 3 months on, she was a chubby baby. She is was always hungry. She still is. She also has asthma, which wasn't called asthma until she was 5 years old, prior to that the pediatrician and allergy/immunologists said "well, could be asthma, could be allergies, it's treated the same way". Turns out she has some allergies (i.e. Cats, Dust, Weeds, Trees, cockroaches) and she also has asthma. Her excema appeared sometime around 3 years old, I think, but she has had dermatitis (which is just basically a blanket name for itchy skin, not as bad as excema or sporiasis... but persistently itchy), since she was a toddler. Couple of other things to note: She frequently has a tummy ache after eating and rotates from having both spectrums of "problems" .... going number 2. She frequently complains of being to tired to walk, or play outside. Over the last 2 years she has complained about her feet and knees hurting.
Let's see, what else..... hhhmmmmm...... Ah Yes, always a prolific puker. Never had a problem "spitting up" as a baby, only ever started puking when she started eating real food.
Now.... in retrospect, that all fits with what I am reading about an intolerance to gluten.
Well, first let me tell you... there is a big difference between a gluten or wheat allergy and something called Coeliac Disease. The Coeliace disease is hereditary and eating wheat destroys the lining of the small intestines, so the nutrients aren't absorbed correctly.
For more comparison between the two, read this article: http://www.gluten.net/downloads/print/glutenintoleranceflat.pdf
Here's the run down of the symptoms:
Allergic reactions to wheat (IgE-antibody mediated) usually begins within minutes or a few hours after eating or inhaling wheat. The more common symptoms involve the skin (urticaria [hives], eczema, angioedema [swelling due to allergy]), the gastrointestinal tract (abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, oral allergy syndrome) and the respiratory tract (asthma or allergic rhinitis). In association with exercise, reactions to gliadin or gluten can cause urticaria, angioedema or life-threatening anaphylaxis. As these proteins are present in other cereals, these symptoms may also occur in wheat-allergic individuals due to cross-reactivity.
Anyway, back to what I was saying... Turns out, when I google Gluten-Free and there are more grocery stores, online malls, books, products, software and more than the iPhone 3G! Here's the thing... with all of the information there was one clear theme.... whether it's a wheat "allergy", gluten intolerance, or Coeliac... the bottom line is, avoiding gluten or wheat products (see the above list) is the only "cure". Because there is no cure.
So, since I can't afford a nutrionalist, I am going to go gluten free for 3 weeks. (not just me... me and my three kids) I am fortunate that I live by a Trader Joe's AND a Whole Foods. It's going to be expensive, but the rewards... if this turns out to the be the problem... will be priceless.
I am going to document each day and record what we eat (see http://my3glutenfree.blogspot.com/ ) and I will also document my 7 year olds progress with her asthma, weight, energy level and all that other stuff. Wish us luck!
If you are unable to access the blog, feel free to contact me at momblogger@rocketmail.com and I will add you to the list of authorized viewers.
P.S. In case you were wondering, here's the list of things you need to watch for in the ingredients to make sure it's gluten free:
the presence of wheat proteins
Bread crumbs
Bran Cereal
extract Couscous
Cracker meal
Enriched flour
Gluten
High-gluten flour
high-protein flour
Semolina
wheat
Vital gluten
Wheat bran
wheat germ
wheat gluten
wheat malt
wheat starch
Whole wheat flour
Gelatinized starch
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Modified food starch
modified starch
Natural flavoring
Soy sauce
Starch
Vegetable gum
vegetable starch
I think about covers it.
I was interested in finding out if being Gluten-Free was really a necessary evil or if it was just the latest and most fashionable eating trend... like South Beach, Atkins and the Cabbage Soup Diet. (What? You've never heard of the cabbage soup diet, my friend Diane swears by it. smile)
Let me tell you why I even googled the words, Gluten-Free.
My 7 year old. From 3 months on, she was a chubby baby. She is was always hungry. She still is. She also has asthma, which wasn't called asthma until she was 5 years old, prior to that the pediatrician and allergy/immunologists said "well, could be asthma, could be allergies, it's treated the same way". Turns out she has some allergies (i.e. Cats, Dust, Weeds, Trees, cockroaches) and she also has asthma. Her excema appeared sometime around 3 years old, I think, but she has had dermatitis (which is just basically a blanket name for itchy skin, not as bad as excema or sporiasis... but persistently itchy), since she was a toddler. Couple of other things to note: She frequently has a tummy ache after eating and rotates from having both spectrums of "problems" .... going number 2. She frequently complains of being to tired to walk, or play outside. Over the last 2 years she has complained about her feet and knees hurting.
Let's see, what else..... hhhmmmmm...... Ah Yes, always a prolific puker. Never had a problem "spitting up" as a baby, only ever started puking when she started eating real food.
Now.... in retrospect, that all fits with what I am reading about an intolerance to gluten.
Well, first let me tell you... there is a big difference between a gluten or wheat allergy and something called Coeliac Disease. The Coeliace disease is hereditary and eating wheat destroys the lining of the small intestines, so the nutrients aren't absorbed correctly.
For more comparison between the two, read this article: http://www.gluten.net/downloads/print/glutenintoleranceflat.pdf
Here's the run down of the symptoms:
Allergic reactions to wheat (IgE-antibody mediated) usually begins within minutes or a few hours after eating or inhaling wheat. The more common symptoms involve the skin (urticaria [hives], eczema, angioedema [swelling due to allergy]), the gastrointestinal tract (abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, oral allergy syndrome) and the respiratory tract (asthma or allergic rhinitis). In association with exercise, reactions to gliadin or gluten can cause urticaria, angioedema or life-threatening anaphylaxis. As these proteins are present in other cereals, these symptoms may also occur in wheat-allergic individuals due to cross-reactivity.
Anyway, back to what I was saying... Turns out, when I google Gluten-Free and there are more grocery stores, online malls, books, products, software and more than the iPhone 3G! Here's the thing... with all of the information there was one clear theme.... whether it's a wheat "allergy", gluten intolerance, or Coeliac... the bottom line is, avoiding gluten or wheat products (see the above list) is the only "cure". Because there is no cure.
So, since I can't afford a nutrionalist, I am going to go gluten free for 3 weeks. (not just me... me and my three kids) I am fortunate that I live by a Trader Joe's AND a Whole Foods. It's going to be expensive, but the rewards... if this turns out to the be the problem... will be priceless.
I am going to document each day and record what we eat (see http://my3glutenfree.blogspot.com/ ) and I will also document my 7 year olds progress with her asthma, weight, energy level and all that other stuff. Wish us luck!
If you are unable to access the blog, feel free to contact me at momblogger@rocketmail.com and I will add you to the list of authorized viewers.
P.S. In case you were wondering, here's the list of things you need to watch for in the ingredients to make sure it's gluten free:
the presence of wheat proteins
Bread crumbs
Bran Cereal
extract Couscous
Cracker meal
Enriched flour
Gluten
High-gluten flour
high-protein flour
Semolina
wheat
Vital gluten
Wheat bran
wheat germ
wheat gluten
wheat malt
wheat starch
Whole wheat flour
Gelatinized starch
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Modified food starch
modified starch
Natural flavoring
Soy sauce
Starch
Vegetable gum
vegetable starch
I think about covers it.
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