Thursday, April 23, 2009

I've never been more impressed with a celebrity

as I am with Jim Carrey right now.

He wrote an editorial in response to a vaccination hearing recently (read it all here) and I just wished I could walk up to him, shake his hand, and say thank you! Thank you for writing an intelligent response. Thank you for having an open mind. Thank you for not dismissing the many parents who are told constantly that we are wrong! and thank you for not being afraid to put your response out there!
Jim Carrey earned a lot of respect from me today.

Here are some of my favorite points that he makes. It is a really good read-I would suggest you read the whole thing!

In response to CNN's Campbell Brown and her assertions that the judgment was in, and vaccines had been proven safe. (this following a ruling by the 'special vaccine court' saying the Measles, Mumps, Rubella shot wasn't found to be responsible for the plaintiffs' autism)

a ruling against causation in three cases out of more than 5000 hardly proves that other children won't be adversely affected by the MMR, let alone that all vaccines are safe. This is a huge leap of logic by anyone's standards. Not everyone gets cancer from smoking, but cigarettes do cause cancer. After 100 years and many rulings in favor of the tobacco companies, we finally figured that out.

If we are to believe that the ruling of the 'vaccine court' in these cases mean that all vaccines are safe, then we must also consider the rulings of that same court in the Hannah Polling and Bailey Banks cases, which ruled vaccines were the cause of autism and therefore assume that all vaccines are unsafe. Clearly both are irresponsible assumptions, and neither option is prudent.

In a world left reeling from the catastrophic effects of greed, mismanagement and corporate insensitivity, is it so absurd for us to wonder why American children are being given twice as many vaccines on average, compared to the top 30 first world countries?

With many states like Minnesota now reporting the number at 1 in 80 children affected with autism, can we afford to trust those who serve two masters or their logic that tells us "one size fits all" when it comes to vaccines

With all the doubt that's left hanging on this topic, how can anyone in the media or medical profession, boldly demand that all parents march out and give their kids 36 of these shots, six at a time in dosage levels equal to that given a 200 pound man?

We have never argued that people shouldn't be immunized for the most serious threats including measles and polio, but surely there's a limit as to how many viruses and toxins can be introduced into the body of a small child.

In all likelihood the truth about vaccines is that they are both good and bad........The assortment of viruses delivered by multiple immunizations may also be a hazard. I agree with the growing number of voices within the medical and scientific community who believe that vaccines, like every other drug, have risks as well as benefits and that for the sake of profit, American children are being given too many, too soon.

One thing is certain. We don't know enough to announce that all vaccines are safe!


If the CDC, the AAP and Ms. Brown insist that our children take twice as many shots as the rest of the western world, we need more independent vaccine research not done by the drug companies selling the vaccines or by organizations under their influence. Studies that cannot be internally suppressed. Answers parents can trust.




Good job Jim Carrey. Good job.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Meal Plan reviews

we had some winners this week for sure. I could make a big post about everything that happened this week, but I went and hung with the girls today, and it is amazing how just sitting and talking with 20 women can wear you out! I am so tired, so here is a quick post

the Vegetable Upside Down Casserole..aka cake! LOL **has vegan options**
From The Vegetarian Family Cookbook




Vegetable Upside Down Casserole...aka CAKE for those that have picky kids! LOL

3-4 cups cut up vegetables of your choice ** see note below for what I did**
oil
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup milk of your choice
1 TBSP oil
1/2 cup grated cheese-optional

saute vegetables in oil until tender, set aside

preheat over to 375, lightly oil a baking dish

combine flour, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. make a well in the center and add the yogurt, milk and 1 TBSP oil. stir together until well blended

pour the vegetables into the prepared pan. sprinkle with cheese if using, then pour batter over the vegetables gently smoothing it out ** this was quite thick**

bake for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown and firm. let stand for about 10 minutes, then serve.

**we used:
red onions, garlic, red yellow and green pepper, yellow squash, zuchini, the green speckled squash, carrots, corn



REVIEW:

OH.MY.GOSH this was heavenly! we made a double batch and it is almost gone. the kids loved it, shawn and I both said it was a keeper. the red onion was the perfect choice as it added a sweetness to the veggies. sauteing them first really helped to take away some of the sharp flavor in the peppers too. the blend of vegetables worked really well and we will definitely do it again. the "cake" was really good and harrison walked to everyones plates grabbing more of it! LOL

YUMMY!!!

and the other favorite:

Jamaican Rice and Peas (aka red beans and rice) *vegan**



Jamaican Rice and Peas (aka red beans and rice)
this is a quick way, you can of course make your beans from scratch and then use them!
2 cans small red beans
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
3 minced garlic cloves
3 cups cooked brown rice
1 15oz can coconut milk
1/2 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste

heat oil in a larger pot and saute' onion over med-low heat until translucent. add garlic and continue to saute until the onion is golden.

add rice, beans, coconut milk and thyme. bring to a simmer and reduce heat, covered. cook until most of the coconut milk is absorbed, usually around 15 minutes.

season with salt and pepper and serve.
ala...vegetarian family cookbook

Monday, April 13, 2009

Meal Plan Monday

Breakfast:
  • Peaches and "cream" smoothies with muffins
  • Cereal
  • homemade yogurt with homemade granola and fruit
  • Quinoa Breakfast
  • Muffins
Lunch:
  • Corn Soup
  • Bean dip with tortilla chips
  • Jamaican red beans and rice
  • Pizza potatoes
  • Egg salad sandwich
  • dad's choice

Dinner:
  • Massur dal with jasmine rice
  • West African peanut stew
  • green noodles with salad and sourdough bread
  • Vegetable upside down casserole with salad and fruit
  • undecided as of yet..will look for inspiration at the market

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Sometimes the week just flies

And then I realize I have not posted at all and I am just surprised!

The weather has been off and on the last week and the days that were good were spent with the first playtimes outside! We had one day where all 7 of the kids and I were outside in the front. The oldest kids were playing football, I was knitting and the little girls were playing soccer in the yard. Harrison of course was just running around chasing everyone. First he kept kidnapping my gnome out of the front of our house--or was it JO's gnome? Did we sneak to her house without her knowing? She did cause quite the troubles in gnome land 4 years ago





and then the neighbor down the road started to wash his car. what is so important about that you might ask?
well, the water started running down the curb in front of our house...and that was an invitation for Harrison's first water play of the year! He had a great time stand in the water and stomping as fast and hard as he could to splash himself. he was soaking wet! But he had so much fun.

I've been doing some knitting...of course! LOL Here is a little sweater I just finished. I haven't blocked it yet, but it was so cute I had to share!



Saturday, my local cloth diapering parenting group got together and we had a big easter party at my friend ERIKA's house. There were so many kids there! Of course, once we show up and add our 7 that makes a huge gathering right there! LOL but the kids had a blast! I got to check out her SPINNING WHEEL. It was beautiful and I was drooling! LOL I am really wanting to start dyeing fiber to spin and selling it in our store too. Of course, I want to also spin it. handspun yarn is just beautiful and such an art!

I am almost done with my art history class. Our instructor opened all the assignments so that we could work ahead and I only 2 more websites to review and write papers on! Then I will have a break from that one! I have really enjoyed it. My semester has been so much smoother without taking 13 credits! I have just enough time for school, kids, home and ME time too!

I am busy typing up our meal plan for the week. In the weeks since I did it last and posted here to the blog, I have lost it every single week. yup-i need to keep putting it out here so I can find it! LOL
Look for it tomorrow!
and Happy Easter everyone!