Beware of Toxic School Supplies

School Year 2012 is about to begin. I'm sure most of you mommies out there are now in a rush to buy school supplies after enrolling your kiddo to school. Before getting all excited and crazy buying inexpensive school supplies or buying the most expensive one's make sure you don't get something that will be detrimental to the health of our children. Just today, the ECOWASTE Movement announced some school supplies they found with high levels of led or phthalates above the allowable/ safe limit are the following: 1. A “Dora the Explorer” pink PVC raincoat bought from National Book Store (SM North EDSA) had 35.86% DINP. 2. A metal ruler with a rubberized part containing “Smileys” from National Book Store (NBS Superstore, Cubao) had 0.534% DNOP and 0.285% DINP. 3. A red PVC plastic envelope with images of “Angry Birds” from Expressions (Isetann Mall, Quiapo) had 1.89% DINP, 2.21% DEHP and 2.86% DIDP. 4. A “Princess Mica” PVC lunch bag bought from Expressions (Isetann Mall, Quiapo) had 2.57% DEHP, 0.280% DBP and 0.189% DINP. The five samples sent to the laboratory were also screened for lead using an XRF spectrometer and lead over the 90 ppm limit was found in three samples: the “Smileys” in the ruler, the painted “Angry Birds” in the red plastic envelope and the ellipsis design in the “Adventurer” plastic envelope. Because of their adverse health effects, especially to young children, the European Union, the United States of America and other countries have imposed restrictions or bans on some phthalates, including BBP, DBP DEHP, DIDP, DINP and DNOP. While the Philippines has not phased out or banned phthalates, the Food and Drug Administration (formerly Bureau of Food and Drugs) as early as 1999 has issued a warning on health hazards caused by phthalates in PVC toys “as these have been found to leach out from the toys when they are sucked or chewed as commonly practiced by children.” Be careful in buying raincoats as well as they found a number of those being sold out with high phthalates.

An Open Letter To My Mama On Mother's Day

Dear Mama,

I know you can't read it because it's online, I also did not greet you on Facebook because you don't have an account there either.  I am printing this open letter for you so you can read it as well, because it is meant for you and for the whole world to see (so its online). 

Anyway, before anything else I would like to greet you a Happy Mother's Day. I know we disagree a lot, we fight like in a brawl and almost want to choke each other's throat. We scream at the top of our lungs and then at the end of the day when we are calmed we would say sorries and tell each other we love each other. You also knew you were the one who thought me that I should answer back/ fight back (alam na alam mo yan!) Because before I would just take in everything, keep quiet and sit on the corner of my bed and cry. I know sometimes I hurt you with the hurtful words I say, I didn't mean them. They are just words of an angry/hurt person who wants to hurt back. You are the best mom ever and I can't think of having any other mother in the world but you. You are perfectly imperfect and I love you for that. 

You are always there for me whenever I needed someone . I hope you can feel that I love even if you think I don't and that I neglect everything you do for me, for us. Tasha practically grew-up with you. Without you there for me I don't know where would I be , where we will be right now. I don't even think it will be possible for me to reach whatever I achieved now without you supporting me all the way. Thank you Mama for everything.

Here are just a few of the things I am Thankful for because you are my Mama!

Should Transgenders Be Allowed In Beauty Pageants Made For Natural Born Women?

In my humble opinion, transgenders should not be allowed in beauty pageants made for natural born women. I'd rather have Mr. Donald Trump create a different beauty pageant for transgenders than allow this now.

Just because there was a loophole in the past rules of the pageant and that this is the popular choice, allowing the transgender in the pageant makes it the right decision, as Ms. Miriam Quiambao, former Ms. Universe runner-up said.

Also, its not because there are a lot of beauty pageant contestants who have gone through plastic surgery like bust lift, nose lift, tummy tuck, butt enhancement, liposuction, lip enhancement, cheek enhancement, and other means to enhance their beauty. They are still natural women in every essence of the word. All they did was enhance what was given to them the day they were born and not a complete turn from what they are to something they are really not. Going through a knife doesn't make one real we call enhanced boobs fake, we call enhanced nose fake, we call enhanced butt fake. So what shall we call transgenders who went into a dozen or more surgery just to achieve a form of a woman. A fake woman.

Natural born women have wombs and have the capacity to give birth. They have the capacity to become mothers to children that rared. They have natural mother instincts and women's instinct something fake women will never ever have or experience. Science may cheat the process but we all know the truth.

I have nothing against transgenders but we should always respect other people and know our boundaries.

Vitamin Rich Foods

As a mom, you’re usually not only interested in vitamins for your own benefit – you’re also worried about your kids, such as if they’re getting enough nutrition from their daily diet. With little ones, it can be hard to convince them to eat anything not shaped like a nugget and older kids have greater independence and the ability to purchase unhealthy foods on their own. Cookbooks tend to focus on whether food tastes good, but not the effects that the food will have on your body. With this in mind, we’ve put together this list of vitamins and some vitamin-rich foods that you may actually convince your family to eat:

• Vitamin D – Nutrition schools have long known the importance of vitamin d, but only recently has this vitamin been getting attention in the mainstream media. Vitamin D, as you may already know, is important for synthesizing calcium and for regulating cell health. This vitamin is fat soluble, so foods containing vitamin D are best prepared in ways that utilize a little fat. Salmon steaks, hamburgers or sandwiches are a great source of vitamin D; egg yolks also contain the vitamin and, luckily, scrambled eggs are always easy to make in a pinch. Fortified milk and juices also contain vitamin D.
• Vitamin E – This vitamin is an antioxidant which keeps free radicals from attacking your cell membranes. It is speculated that antioxidants are key in fending off diseases of aging, such as cancer. Nuts, including sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, and fresh almonds, are all good sources of vitamin E and can make a great on-the-go snack when tossed in a resealable plastic bag. Sweet potatoes, baked with a little butter and brown sugar, are another easy way to incorporate vitamin E into your diet.
• Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an all-around great vitamin to have in your body. It’s vital to the formation of muscle, acts as an antioxidant, and is speculated to boost the body’s immune system. Be aware that vitamin C is best consumed in foods that are fresh; the vitamin C content decreases the more you process or cook foods. All types of citrus and citrus juice, including orange, lemon, and grapefruit, are good sources of vitamin C. In fruits, peaches, cantaloupe, tangerines, bananas, and raspberries are also high in vitamin C.
• Calcium – For bone development, calcium is key. It’s also important for muscle performance and for our nerves. While milk is the main source of calcium for many Americans, it’s certainly not the only source of this nutritional vitamin. Try incorporating a few dark, leafy greens into your routine; kale, collards and broccoli are all good choices. All are delicious in quick stir fries with a few other veggies, meat and a little light soy sauce.

Sources

Colorado State University (2012)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2006)

Ultra Vires Fashion Campaign for VAWC Awareness

A youth organization from Makati organized a fashion event to raise awareness on the law on Violence Against Women and Children or the Republic Act 9262. Ultra Vires Fashion Campaign will feature.designs by 10 designers and the proceeds of the event will benefit rescued women and children among others.

Mob Busts in New York

I'm glad that I haven't met a mob family in my entire life and wish not to meet any at all. I particularly don't know how mobs work but in the US they are able to compile data regarding the numbers and names of the mobs they busted in the recent years. Pretty interesting details I think you might find interesting.

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Alcohol Use

My mother has been suffering from what seems to be gout or ar thritist. Its hard to tell which because when she take medicines meant for relieving arthritist pains she gets better. Don't get me wrong she is not self-medicating or sorts, we took her to a specialist already and this doctor restricted my mom from eating almost everything she likes and we were left with very limited food choices for her Anyway, while doing a research about which food she can eat and which she could not, we bumped intpo an information that alcohol is good for people suffering from gout or arthritist. My mom barely drinks so I don't see her wanting to start now. I think she is one of the 50% who never had a drink. Here are the statistics found by infographics regarding alcohol use.

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