Disgusting Findings about Hot Dog Contents

Animal paste, sodium nitrate, bones, just to name a few. New York Times reporter Stephen Rex Brown filed a Freedom of Information act in 2009, and just received confidential case files from the USDA with 64 individual complaints from people who found foreign objects embedded in their wieners from 2007 through 2009. Not only were the findings disturbing, the documented investigations by the USDA didn't always suggest the best follow-through. Shine publications reviewed the files, and highlighted some of the more stomach-curdling complaints....click here to see details from Shine publication

Government Tests Find Roundup Widespread in Water, Air

Washington, D.C. -- Glyphosate, one of the most heavily used weed-killers in the world, has been found in air, rain and rivers in two states examined by government scientists.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, glyphosate, also known by its trade name Roundup, has been “commonly found in rain and rivers in agricultural areas in the Mississippi River watershed.”

For more information, logon to ewg.org

Mom of the Week: Kim Hanou

Meet Kim Hanou, a creative mom from Colorado. Kim, a former elementary school teacher, runs a very fun and entertaining blog, Too Much Time On My Hands, and an Etsy store.
She has 2 adorable kids under the age of 4.

Best advice to make your kids eat healthy / What is in their lunchbox?

I could not live without DIP! Dip has saved my life. Hummus, yogurt, applesauce, roasted red pepper and black bean dip. If my kids have dip, I can get them to eat almost anything! We also had a blast with our garden this summer. They are excited to help with the process and get really dirty and wet! Then when the veggies are ripe they will try everything, because they are the ones who grew it. They LOVE helping make homemade pizza with the tomatoes, basil, oregano, and peppers from the garden. They are so proud of their individual pizza creations and we have contests to see who's is the most colorful.

Kid gear you couldn't have lived without

My Ergo Baby carrier was the best when my kids were small. I tried 4 different carriers and they all broke my back. But I can actually still use it comfortably and they weigh 40 lbs! Although it isn't really "gear," I could not live without reusable snack bags. They are good for everything and I don't feel guilty using 4 ofr a trip to the pool like I did when I was using zip-loc baggies. I am learning  how to sew so I can make my own.

Mantra to keep calm in chaotic moments

My 2 1/2 year old has been giving me many stressful moments lately. I find myself saying, "He is only two, I know this will get easier." After living through the terrible two's once bfeore, I know it really does get easier!

Tricks to keep in shape

I am not naturally a big fruit and veggie person, but since having kids I have gotten so much better. I follow their lead and now eat all the healthy stuff I put out for them. They have motivated me to take better care of myself and get off my but and enjoy more time outside!

Best busy mom beauty trick

HATS! There are too many days, when I do not have time to tackle the daunting task of "doing" my hair. So I have invested in a bunch of really cute hats. They are dressier than baseball caps, but just as easy!

One green guilt

This summer my big green guilt has been sunscreen. I know it is terrible, but man that no-rub spray sunscreen is so easy when trying to get a  running 2 year old some protection from the sun. Up till know I have always used the Alba sunscreen, but we were just on a 2 week 3,000 mile road trip where we spent every day in teh sun. I went through 5 bottles of sunscreen and it was so easy, I do feel guilty though!

Great News For Potato Lovers

A new study found that daily consumption of purple potatoes can help lower blood pressure, without causing weight gain. In the study, 18 overweight or obese, hypertensive subjects who either ate six to eight small purple potatoes, with skins, at both lunch and dinner (for a daily total of 218 calories), or had no potatoes as part of their diet for four weeks. Then the participants crossed over to the other regimen.

On average, diastolic blood pressure dropped by 4.3 percent and systolic blood pressure dropped by 3.5 percent.

Purple potatoes boast higher levels of polyphenol antioxidants that protect body cells against free radical damage that can increase disease risk. To preserve these powerful plant chemicals, subjects in the study were asked to microwave their potatoes instead of using other cooking methods.

Source: msnbc.com