We are having a wonderful 4th of July weekend, hope you are enjoying some fun n' the sun with your family and friends! We all need a bit of vitamin D from the sun but as much as my kids are in their "outside living room" I need to make sure that they have a good amount of protection for the majority of the day. I have been looking into sunscreens and what would be best for my family to use. It's tempting to just grab whatever is the least expensive with the highest coverage but this isn't the best idea. With SO many different types of sunscreen out there, it got me to thinking what is the difference with all these brands? Well the biggest problem is most sunscreens have harmful chemicals not necessary for the product and most do not protect both  UVB/UVA sun rays. I will have a detailed post and product review of my favorite sunscreen this coming week but for now I will just post my favorite choice.

I'm using Peter Island SPF 60. Great for the whole family and protects both UVA - UVB rays with no harmful, chemical ingredients.

Buy it here just type Peter Island into the search bar for an easy find on the site.

Tips to prevent heat exhaustion:

• Symptoms of heat exhaustion include paleness, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting. The skin may be cool and moist; sweating may or may not occur. The pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.
• Symptoms of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating), rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness. Heat stroke is a serious condition; even if treated, many people with heat stroke will die.

To prevent heat related illnesses, you should make sure that your child:

• stays cool and well hydrated
• becomes slowly acclimated, over 10-14 days, to hot temperatures when practicing or playing sports
• drinks plenty of fluids, especially water, when exercising and playing sports, even if he isn't thirsty. A common recommendation is that children drink water before the activity, about 8 ounces of fluid every 20 minutes while playing or practicing (less for smaller kids and more for bigger kids), plus more after the activity is over. However, children playing sports should have unrestricted access to water. Although water is usually recommended, the AAP states that a 'flavored beverage may be preferable because the child may drink more of it,' including sports drinks. Fluids to avoid include those with caffeine, carbonation, or with a lot of sugar (Total Carb more than 6-8%), such as soda, fruit juices and some sports drinks. If you are unsure if your child is drinking enough fluids when exercising, it can be a good idea to weigh him before and after the activity. A loss of more than 3% of his body weight is considered extreme and may put your child at risk of heat related illnesses.
• takes frequent breaks to cool down and rest
• if possible, wears lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• is supervised with personnel that have training in the prevention, recognition and treatment of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Now I'm heading out for more fun n' the sun!

It's funny how my breastfeeding difficulties have been the open door for many wonderful experiences. As some of you know, I had my first troubles with breastfeeding when Tabi was born. It was then that Heather designed the Nesting Pillow to provide the comfort and support I needed. A few years ago after the birth of my second daughter, I developed breastfeeding infections galore. I brought my "story" or complaints up at a moms group called nurture where I was attending. It was then that I was introduced to Danielle Gauss. Danielle is a breastfeeding professional and was quick to help me sort out my nursing difficulties. She gave me quick and easy ways to resolve my nursing problems, which helped me get back to a comfortable breastfeeding experience with my daughter.

Danielle is a professional labor support specialist, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Childbirth educator, CPR instructor, and author. Most importantly, Danielle is a mother who has been through the birth experience twice. She has received her education for the doula’s role from the UCSD Perinatal Education program associated through UCSD Medical School and is certified through DONA International (Doulas of North America). Danielle has been certified as a childbirth educator through Lamaze International and is currently teaching Childbirth preparation and perinatal classes at Mission Hospital.

Danielle was the first professional who came on board with us at Blessed Nest. She uses our Nesting Pillow with her clients and represented us to Saint Josephs Hospital in Orange. They now carry our Nesting Pillows in their Mother/Baby Assessment Center. We just adore her!

Danielle's philosophy:

"I believe that the birth of a child is without a doubt one of the most life changing moments in a person’s life. It is a moment that will live on in the hearts and minds of those who have experienced it. As a Labor Support Specialist, Doula, and childbirth educator it is my goal to provide expectant couples with the information necessary to make informed decisions about their childbirth experience. I believe that childbirth is a normal healthy process and that women have the ability to give birth in a way that is normal and natural for them. Although I encourage women to consider the possibility of natural childbirth, I feel that it is my job and obligation to present information about all aspects of birth including medical technology, interventions, and medications in an unbiased, comprehensive, evidence-based format. In doing so, this will provide the expectant couple with enough knowledge and information to allow them to make their own personal choices regarding their birth.

I believe that a woman’s perception of her ability and strength to give birth is greatly affected by the amount of support she is given. The more encouraged she feels the more equipped she is to have a positive birth experience. I believe a woman should have the right to give birth the way she desires, in an environment where she feels safe, nurtured, and secure and where her emotional, physical, and personal needs are met and respected. The birthing woman should also have the opportunity to receive full support for making informed decisions about what is best for her and her baby based on their individual beliefs and values. I also believe that babies are sensitive, aware human beings and should be acknowledged and treated respectfully at the time of birth.

Pregnancy and birth are milestone events in a woman’s life. The childbirth experience, whether it be positive or negative, will greatly affect the woman, her partner, and their child. It is my goal to provide the means necessary to help these couples create the positive experience they so deeply desire."

You can find Danielle at Socal Births.com Southern California Labor Support

Thank you Danielle for all the support you have given and your time. You have truly nurtured us at Blessed Nest.

Here are some fun avocado facts and tips for getting the best out of them:

Avocados again.....balance your blood sugar, keeping us from having a sugar crash leading us feeling grouchy and tired.

So eat up!

Avocados will not ripen on the tree. They must be picked from the tree to initiate ripening. The leaves supply a substance that prevents ripening. The best way to store avocados is to leave them on the tree; they will store for 7 months or more when left on the tree.

Storage below 40 degrees F or above 70 degrees F will cause rot.
Some varieties will spoil below 50 degrees.
Ripen at room temperature (60 - 70 degrees F), then store at 45 degrees F.

Avocados, grown in California and Florida, are available all year. Two general types, and a number of varieties of each, are grown. Depending upon type and variety, avocados vary greatly in shape, size, and color. Most tend to be pear-shaped, but some are almost spherical. Fruits weighing under 1/2 pound are most commonly available. Some have rough or leathery textured skin, while others have smooth skin. The skin color of most varieties is some shade of green, but certain varieties turn maroon, brown, or purplish-black as they ripen.

Despite this variation in appearance, avocados are of good eating quality when they are properly ripened, becoming slightly soft. This ripening process normally takes from 3 to 5 days at room temperature for the quite firm avocados usually found in food stores. Ripening can be slowed by refrigeration.

Look for: For immediate use, select slightly soft avocados which yield to gentle pressure on the skin. For use in a few days, buy firm fruits that do not yield to the squeeze test. Leave them at room temperature to ripen.
Irregular light-brown markings are sometimes found on the outside skin. These markings generally have no effect on the flesh of the avocado.

Avoid: Avocados with dark sunken spots in irregular patches or cracked or broken surfaces. These are signs of decay.

An extra tip: When preparing avocados, to avoid the browning of avocado flesh when exposed to air, immediately place the peeled fruit in lemon juice until ready for use.

Avocados are about 22% fat, with the average medium size avocado containing 300 calories and 30 grams of fat.

Avocados are loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, and folate. They're also cholesterol and sodium free. Avocados contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas. This fruit is an excellent source of monounsaturated fat.
source of information

visit Blog Mommas for more tips

Last week I posted Less Is More, purchase on a budget not on the cheap. This week I promised a post on purchasing an organic nursery on a moderate income budget. Then I got to thinking.....what if most are not on a budget? I know there was a time I either just did without or purchased on the cheap but I still lived pay check to pay check and was not saving. Our family is bringing in the same amount of money but because we have a budget in place we are getting more for our money. We don't just have more items but we have better quality items with the same amount of income.

So.....I will be posting this upcoming week the steps towards purchasing an organic nursery on a moderate income budget but for today I thought I'd post tips on budgeting.

Here are some tools for budgeting:

1) Don't use credit. (Yes, we all know we shouldn't. But don't unless you know it will be paid off soon.) Most tend to purchase high priced items such as furniture on credit. This to me is the trap. Lower priced items can add up on credit too but I think most use their debit/credit cards for the lower priced items.

2) I've recently learned the way to saving money is to start a savings account right now. Don't wait until you've paid off debt to start the savings account. Pay into your savings a small amount each week then move on to paying off your debt. Otherwise, the savings will never happen. The savings will become your emergency fund. When big emergency expenses come up; you will not have to place the emergency item on credit.

3) Yes, this is something you know...stop eating out or at least stop purchasing your high priced mocha's. Funny how this is the hardest for so many. I honestly could not have imagined not eating out and not purchasing a coffee on the run! It was when I began eating organic and gluten free that eating out became non-existent. We all know it's tough to eat healthy on the go....

This in turn was a double blessing. My family is eating healthier and I can afford organic items because we are not eating out!

The above are really basic tips towards budgeting.  I'm definitely not an expert. I suppose this is another look into my life. My personal journey in becoming debt free and living within a budget.

It's fun for me to share this journey with you! I was looking for a guest writer in frugal living. It never came about so I thought I'd tackle the subject. You don't have to give up quality to live within a moderate income budget. I was determined to purchase organic items and not go into debt doing so. I am amazed that when it comes down to it, spending more on health for your family is well worth the effort of budgeting and "finding" the money to live a natural, organic lifestyle!

  Site find this week: Budgeting Tools is a great site for practical ideas on setting up your family budget!

This month you'll find the following posts on purchasing organic within a budget:

• purchasing an organic nursery on a moderate income budget
• turn off the lights, recycle for cash, walk instead of driving etc..get the picture? Let's learn what we can leave out of our lives...so we can add in quality, healthy items for our household!
• tips and tricks to purchasing organic within a budget. Stomping out the myth "organic is too expensive. I could never go green" Oh, yes you can....