Help American Farms

I usually don't ask much of my friends but this is a super quick way that you can help the American Farms with Campbells and the FFA. Here is their mission and a link (pass it on!)

OUR MISSION
We all rely on farms and farmers to nourish our families. Now it's our turn to give back to them.
As part of our corporate mission to nourish people's lives everywhere, every day, Campbell Soup Company is committed to supporting the farmers that have provided the wholesome ingredients for Campbell's® condensed soups for more than 110 years. Through a partnership with the National FFA Organization, which is dedicated to developing our next generation of leaders through agricultural education, Campbell has committed a quarter of a million dollars to help support the future of American farming.
Join us as we help good things grow:Our Food. Our Farms. Our Future.

http://www.helpgrowyoursoup.com/

validation

So sometimes as a stay at home mom you question a lot of why you chose that route and the sacrifices you may have made in the "real world" to do as such. Although at times I miss working a full time job I can honestly say I wouldn't change the way my life has worked out at all.

The other night, say 2am-ish, I kept hearing Jacob cough. I am a light sleeper to begin with, even with my sleepy pills, but I was in and out of a doze since he has a little cold. He tiptoed into our room and started rubbing my back and then asked so very nicely "Mommy, I didn't want to wake you but my cough is keeping me up....can you get me some water please?". When asked like that by a 4 year old how could I not!

After getting him some water, and also some cough medicine (I try not to give him too much but it was bothering him obviously) I tucked him back in and he said ..."wait Mommy....one more hug" then he said the 5 words that meant the most "thank you, I love you". That in itself meant the most to me and validated why I am doing what I do.

Sad day

Most of you don't know this person but a very dear person to my heart whom I have known for the better part of almost 20 years has had a very hard and trying last few months. She and her husband were pregnant and found out fairly early on that the baby would not be born alive due to genetic abnormalities. They had decided to go full term and donate any viable organs to another child in need. Later on in the pregnancy they found out that wasn't even an option. Well Monday night she had her baby. And I am not sure of the details, how long he was with them or even the delivery method but the funeral for the family is Thursday.

I can't imagine going through what they are dealing with. We had a LOT of issues with our pregnancy with Jacob and there were points where they told us he would not be viable either. But his circumstance turned out different and he is healthy and fine today. I know deep down in my heart that is one of the biggest reasons why we haven't tried for a 2nd yet either. That emotional roller coaster we dealt with then has really had a profound effect on me and I didn't realize that until I heard about my friend. I guess I buried it down and didn't really deal with it all and now its on the surface scaring the crap out of me again since we have been "talking" about another kid in the near future. But I know if my friend can come out the other end of this ok, then I can to. Please keep her and her family in your prayers please!

...and before I forget....blog layout?

So if anyone can "demonstrate" or lead in in the right direction on where to find a place to get a "cool" background.....please help! I get bored easy and this background is about to tax my last nerve!

My Child is back!!!

Ok, so he really never went anywhere but the moodiness has 100% passed and what a relief that was! He continues to amaze me on his ability to cope with things and express his feelings. Maybe we all should learn something about that!

And BTW....I wish my hair could be that blonde, naturally. Oh wait, it was, until I had him!

Organic and the tangled web they weave

So some of you know I do have a pretty strong farm background and I don't care what you buy as long as you are educated. As you know I have a huge issue with half truths in the media and used by companies to get you to buy your product. That is why I am not a big fan of buying organic unless you are growing it yourself....simply put. Read the following and you will understand why I have felt this way for years.....

New Paper Questions Organic Superiority
Posted: September 23, 2008 at 4:21 pmBy News Editor
Joseph D. Rosen, Ph.D., emeritus professor of Food Toxicology at Rutgers University and a scientific advisor to the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has released a new paper that he claims has debunked attempts by organic agriculture to prove that organically grown crops are nutritionally superior to conventional ones. His research can be found here.Dr. Rosen analyzed a pro-organic report by Charles Benbrook and colleagues at the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Center and found the data had been selectively chosen and presented to “prove” the desired point. Dr. Rosen’s report, Claims of Organic Food’s Nutritional Superiority: A Critical Review, was published today by ACSH.
In the original pro-organic paper, Benbrook and colleagues had stated that organic produce is 25% “more nutritious” than that produced by conventional agricultural practices. But when Dr. Rosen actually recalculated some of their data, correcting several inaccuracies, he concluded that the conventional products were actually 2% more nutritious than the organic varieties:
The Benbrook paper had claimed that organically grown vegetables had much more quercetrin (a precursor of the antioxidant quercetin) than conventional varieties. But the organic vegetables studied had been sprayed with an organic pesticide that greatly increases plants’ production of quercetrin — so of course they beat the conventional plants on that measure.
Dr. Rosen also points out that the organic proponents included data of dubious validity in their review. They used data from articles that were not peer-reviewed, and in one case included nutrient content from an analysis of whole kiwi fruits — both the inedible skin and the edible pulp, though this is not what the consumer would eat.
Dr. Rosen’s analysis demonstrates how organic proponents have, once again, used misleading and inappropriately-evaluated data to support their agenda. More details on Rosen’s own methods and conclusions may be found here.

My son, the music critic

Ok, so I let Jacob listen to everything I do, which is a huge variety of music.

His new favorite is "Jesus Walking" by Kanye West......I know, maybe not the best choice but interesting. He is a beat man...its all about the music not the lyrics (thankfully!). I guess it runs in our blood. I still remember my favorite song probably in kindergarten was "Centerfold" by the JGiles Band. Um, ya, I was 6....I had no idea what a centerfold was at that time, just liked the music! Trust me, if he doesn't like the song...he voices his opionion and so far we agree on everything. Does that reflect poorly on me.....a 33 year old and 4 year old have the same taste in music? At least its not the Wiggles or gag, Barney!