Prepare to be queasy, but avoiding it all is easy...=)

Don't read this article about germs while multi-tasking at email and eating your lunch..

I'm a germaphobe of the highest degree. My kids know what to do when I spray their hands with "Sprinkles" i.e., CleanWell. I have bottles of it in both cars, all diaper bags, my wallet tote and individual wipes stashed in every crevice.

Why? Because I've been a teacher for almost 10 years and I've seen it all?

No.

Because I had younger brothers and I've seen it all?

No.

Because I'm a mom of three boys and I've seen it all?

No.

Because I've had my dogs crap in the house and I've seen it all?

No.

All of the above, frankly, but most importantly I have a vivid imagination tossed in with my OCD.

I was the first person to toss my paper towel on the floor outside the restroom door because I used it to touch the handle when exiting. I've been squatting over toilet seats since the mid-80's. I clean, spray, re-spray, wash, wipe, re-spray, wash my hands so much that during the winter, they crack and bleed.

I hate germs. I hate my germs and other people's germs. I hate your germs.

Sorry. I can only imagine where your hands have been or more where they've touched and the unsanitary habits of the person who touched that before you. No offense.

My kids don't go in sandboxes unless I'm drunk. At the park. And if they do, I hose them down with CleanWell for 30 minutes afterward. Kidding. Sort of.

Am I neurotic about it? Yes. Am I healthier than the average bear? Yes. And so are my kids. Is it all a crapshoot? Maybe. But I'm not taking that chance with RandomGuy's fecal matter. Are you?

By the way, the cafeteria and drinking water spout rating doesn't surprise me. There is a fountain right next to the door of my classroom and the germs wave at me as I pass. If you want to make friends with these creatures, be my guest. But don't come over to my house for a playdate.

Dying over dyes.

The timing of this couldn't be more perfect! I have our Easter Egg dye kit out on the desk (after the fact) because I wanted to check the Food Coloring #'s to see if I had just poisoned my children in my pursuit of some hide-n-seek fun...

Healthy Child Healthy World has a fabulous article about the dangers and unknown secrets behind artificial food dyes.

Last Easter I saved lots of links to natural dyes thinking that THIS Easter I would be a better mother. One thing led to another and there we were, friend and her 2 kiddos present, looking for something to entertain the kids. With Daddy unable to join us for Easter this year, I figured that last thing I'd manage was juicing my frozen blueberries so I picked up the PAAS Color Cups kit.

Image courtesy of PAAS


Naturally, I started to second guess myself when the kids' fingers were still green two days later..

Thanks to this article, I can see that the 5 dyes listed on the back of the Food Color Tablets package: Blue #1 and #2, Yellow #5 and #6 along with Red #3 are all bad. Very bad? "Avoid" or "Caution" aren't the terms you like to read after you put Green Fingers and Blue Thumb to bed, are they?

Now that I've scared you, here's the link I saved last year to the Natural Dying we'll be doing for the rest of our short, chemically-shortened lives.

BIG CRUMBS - you have to bookmark this site: The Food and Food Coloring Database! Check it out and see why...

Sunday's Simple Start

“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”

—Barbara Bush
(1952-); Wife Of The 41st President Of The United States

Sunday's Simple Start

"BABIES ARE SUCH A NICE WAY TO START PEOPLE." - Don Herrold

Worth Your While Wednesday - St. Baldrick's

I thought I'd try and post about a charity or program out there that you may not know about. Maybe each Wednesday? Although today is Thursday....but heck...this one can't wait another week! As well, I'm already a day behind in its significance, but the shaving event is Saturday so it's not too late to sign up!

"Every 3 1/2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. You can help save a child's life.

On March 17, 2000, reinsurance executives Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnell turned their industry's St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer. The three planned to raise "$17,000 on the 17th," recruiting 17 colleagues to raise $1,000 each to be shorn. Instead, the first St. Baldrick's event raised over $104,000!

The event had a life of its own and quickly grew into the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research! The Foundation now funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Since 2000, events have taken place in 24 countries and 50 US states, raising over $74 million. More than 130,000 volunteers-- including over 10,000 women-- have shaved their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family – each one becoming a walking billboard for the cause!

At a St. Baldrick's event, something amazing happens. People who normally shy away from the very thought of childhood cancer find themselves compelled to support this cause after looking into the face of these brave children who are beaming as their friends and family members proudly display their newly shorn heads. Volunteers and donors see it can be fun to support a serious cause. Young cancer patients and survivors see how many people care. And researchers see St. Baldrick's funds helping to find cures!

St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government."

Is Your Daddy A Thief? Because he stole the stars from the sky....

(Photo courtesy of NASA).
Griffith Observatory here in LA is hosting their annual Public Star Parties again.

What: Take your main squeeze(s) to Griffith Observatory’s monthly celestial gathering — complete with telescopes and astronomers — to find out what all the doomsday fuss is about.
Why: We’ll take helium and hydrogen over the flesh-and-bone varietal any day. When: Sat., 2-9:45 p.m.
Where: 2800 E. Observatory Rd. (213-473-0800)

If you don't live near LA, Google the nearest observatory to you and suggest they get in the act =)

There was a farmer who had a CSA and Tanaka was his name-o

I picked up our CSA box again today. Mama is loving those carrots! This week we also have red lettuce, butter lettuce, avocados, parsley, radicchio, some oranges and beautiful green onions.

This past Saturday we were invited to the farm for CSA Day. Lots of fun and very educational for all of us. All "box families" are invited to come down to the farm and select their own veggies to be grilled right there and served for lunch. They had washing stations, seasoning stations and some other veggies to add to the mix.

Despite the looming "storm" and momentary sprinkle, the 12 or so families from our CSA were all cheery and didn't mind the one-hour drive down.

The boys LOVED picking their own food and running up and down the rows looking for the best of the best. I appreciated the extra "grit" I tasted in my beets...genuine Irvine soil. =) Ever since attending they've been asking if everything on their plate came from "Farmer Tanaka." Even the pasta noodles =)

If you don't have the opportunity to purchase produce locally, check out and print EWG's Shopper Guide to the Dirty Dozen to take with you when shopping.