Hotspots

A Wake-Up Call: Healthy Child Healthy World

Published 02.08.2010 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

hotspot_healthychild.pngWhen I was breastfeeding my newborn, the newspapers carried headlines such as "Breastmilk is Toxic." I was petrified. All of a sudden, I had flashbacks to every tuna fish sandwich I had consumed over the past few months. Now, in my mind's eye they were poisonous.

Luckily, I didn't stop breastfeeding (though I was tempted by the scary headlines) and found Dr. Philip Landigran, a physician specializing in children and the environment. His team assured me that "my exposure" to mercury was nothing to be concerned about and urged me to continue to breastfeed. Which I did, for many many months thereafter.

Soon, I discovered Dr. Landigran was associated with Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit organization with a mission "to ignite a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals." Their tagline resonates with me:

Know More. Worry Less. Live Better.

So, watch their new video message (it's worth the few minutes of your time) and then sign up to get their info be it through email or Facebook. Healthy Child Healthy World is on the front lines, monitoring and interpreting the news and research constantly being released on the environment as it pertains to children. Their organization is not about the scary things in our lives. It's about promoting the simple things that we can all do to protect our families.



My wake-up call was the "Breastmilk is Toxic" headlines. What was yours?

Also, I wish Healthy Child Healthy World's book had been around when I was pregnant and/ or a new mom. I would have slept better at night knowing how easy it can be to avoid some of the scary toxins out there in our world.


The White House Gets into the Parenting Biz

Published 02.04.2010 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

text4baby.pngSay what?

That's right, the White House has kind of gone into the parenting business. Today, they announced the launch of a free mobile health information service, text4baby, for pregnant women and new mothers. All women can get FREE health information via text messaging on a regular basis as it corresponds to their due date and child's birth date. It's kind of like getting our Pregnancy Weekly on your mobile phone (but written by doctors and probably without the humor).

This is awesome. One out of eight pregnancies end in premature labor and providing basic prenatal information to pregnant women who may not otherwise receive it can only be a good thing. Ninety percent of Americans now have cellphones and texting is especially prevalent amongst women of childbearing years and minority populations.

Women interested in the service can sign up by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for the Spanish version) and they'll receive up to three SMS health messages per week at no cost to them. The cost of the incoming text is completely covered by the wireless carriers. This is truly a public service.

Hopefully we'll see it rolled out and available in other languages as well.

For more information go to www.text4baby.org

(Homepage photo by timsamoff)


Family Tree Artwork

Published 01.25.2010 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Beautiful Genealogical Charts

One of the things on my revised 40 by 40 list is to complete my son's genealogy a couple of generations back. The fine folks at Ancestry.com* turned me on to the fun addiction that is poking your head up your family tree.

So, when I saw a number of gorgeous modern genealogical charts highlighted on Design*Sponge, I decided to do some more searching on the interwebs and looky at what I found. If you have any other beauties that I have missed please me know in the comments section.

family_tree_artwork.jpg

Clockwise from upper left: 1) Slice of Life by My Tree & Me, 2) by Sarah Jane Studios, 3) by Jellybeans, 4) by Genuinely Yours.

genealogical_charts_artwork.jpg

Clockwise from upper left: 1) Proud as a Peacock Tree by My Tree & Me, 2) Birds of a Feather by My Tree & Me, 3) by Almost Sunday, 4) by Memories Live in the Details.


___________
*Ancestry.com paid for a for me to visit their headquarters and learn about their business. It was an awesome visit and that is my own view.


Ban Toxic BPA in Food Packaging

Published 01.13.2010 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

ban_bpa.jpgSo one of your New Year's Resolutions is to be a better citizen, right? With the advent of the internet, luckily for us, making your opinion known and voice count has never been easier.

Today's mission is to Ban Toxic BPA in Food Packaging. NY Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer announced their introduction of the BPA-Free Kids Act to protect children and pregnant women from this chemical.

Back in November Consumer Reports released a study showing BPA (bisphenol A) present in canned goods. Aaaaaiiiiieeee.

The bill, The BPA-Free Kids Act, will prohibit the manufacture and sale of food and beverage containers composed of BPA for infants and toddlers, like baby formula cans. Children’s foods and beverages made of BPA would be labeled “banned hazardous substances” under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The bill mandates application of criminal or civil penalties for any violations of the BPA-Free Kids Act, including the testing, certification, and labeling requirements.

Thank you Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.

NOW, let's show our support. Become a "citizen co-sponsor" of the bill and express your support. I just did it and it took less than 30 seconds.

Image from Zazzle.


Nominate Champions Against Child Hunger

Published 01.11.2010 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

hotspot_food.jpg
Photo by ninette_luz

Do you know someone fighting to end child hunger in your community? If so, nominate him or her-- or, even yourself-- to become a Champion Against Child Hunger.

The ConAgra Foods Foundation is looking to honor champions for their hard work in the fight to end child hunger. For every nomination, ConAgra will donate $10 to Share Our Strength, up to $20,000 through January 22, 2010.

Nominating a champion is super easy. Just fill out an online form, submit a short essay and upload a picture. Five finalists will be chosen and then online voting will commence whereby ConAgra will donate $1 for every vote entered (up to $80,000).

hotspot_championsagainsthunger.png

Each finalist is a winner receiving a cash prize of $500 as a reward for their advocacy, and a matching donation of $500 to Share Our Strength or their hunger relief organization of choice. The grand prize winner will receive a trip to New York City, a tour of The Food Network studios, and a cash prize of $1,500, as well as a donation of $5,000 to Share Our Strength or their hunger relief organization of choice.

Again, the submission deadline is next week, Friday, Jan 22. Now get to it!

And, good luck.






alphamomlabs

About this Column

The Hotspot originally started out as a monthly-or-so feature written by our favorite storytellers. Usually products or services were highlighted that tickled us. Over the past year delightful innovations and introductions in the maternity and parenting space have increased, and we feel we need a space to share our discoveries with you. Daily news stories on parenting also inspire us to communicate with you. As such, the Hotspot is now the Alpha Mom daily blog. Finally!

From time-to-time we will feature products that we like. Since there is no pay for play, we only feature products that excite us. However, we do want to know about new product and service introductions and innovations so feel free to drop us a note at contact@alphamom.com.

Disclaimer

This column is only for entertainment purposes. Any recommendations or information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for advice by a trained professional. For a full statement of our site policies, please click here.


© Alpha Mom, Inc. All rights reserved. | Legal | Privacy