Children’s stomach and bowel woes
If your child is having stomach/bowel problems which keep reoccuring for several weeks, it’s time to take the next step. Check her stress level. Could she be bullied at school? Is she having problems with her teacher, homework, classwork or peers? Check in with her teacher to see what may be happening. If she got an all clear from her doctor, then insist on a more in depth evaluation, including blood tests for blood sugar, gluten and lactose intolerance. Also have a stool sample analyzed, particularly if your family travels. A good friend in my nursing school was hospitalized with a nasty GI parasite and she hadn’t left the state, much less the country. Is your child getting 5 to 7 fruits and vegetables a day? Is she mainly living on fast foods (particularly teenagers)? I’m guilty of making meals from frozen, but organic foods without including a salad for roughage. If she is running to activity to activity, without much downtime? A hectic schedule can contribute to GI woes.
Travel Tips
It’s better to start packing for your next trip right after you get back, rather than waiting to do so right before your next one. If you need a new travel size deodorant or toothpaste, get them right away and pack in your carry-on. Wash your make up brushes upon return and when dry, pack them in your cosmetic bag. This way, if you have a family emergency, you’re good to go. I keep small containers on hand, so I can fill them up quickly. Save money, by recycling clean small containers, that used to contain your eye cream or lip balm. I also stash samples and the small cosmetic freebies from magazines, in one place and take them along on journeys. Airport security allows the blunt tip baby nail scissors to be taken in a carry-on bag. They are great for cutting open samples or foil pouches of facial creams. I also cut off the bottom of tubes, to get every last bit of ointment or cream, while on the road. I have a bin where my holey underwear and socks go, plus any clothes that have a few more wearings. Then I can throw away or leave the clothes enroute, to make room for new purchases. I went to Egypt with one small, carry-on suitcase and managed to have room for a lot of souvenirs and gifts. When I leave clothes behind, I put a note on top of them in the hotel, that I am done wit them. I keep an extra comb, travel tooth brush and disposible razor in my carry-on bag, so don’t have to remember to pack these before a trip. You may want to have a space in your closet for a nightgown and several travel dresses or outfits. Yes, I’m wearing…
quick and easy healthy meal/snack
For a quick and yummy breakfast, I throw this together. Take at least 1/2 cup of non-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogart and sprinkle in some raw oats ( I use McCann’s quick rolled oats). Use as much as you like,for either a more crunchy or creamy texture. Then I add around 1/2 cup of blueberries. Use whatever fruit that you like and change it for variety or for what is in season. For a fancier dish, mix equal amounts of blueberries and green grapes together. Add a creamy, rich strawberry yogart, such as yoplait, to coat the grape/berry mixture. Serve in a pretty dish. The amount depends upon how many people will be eating it. This looks elegant in a brunch buffet. Enjoy!.
Helping Local Charities when Traveling
When you travel abroad, think about helping local charities. If you know that you are visiting a school or orphanage, bring school supplies. Our nurses’ group brought supplies when visiting a school in a township in South Africa. We didn’t know to bring easy reader books in English, so I sent a shipment of paperback ones to them , after returning home. When I went to poorer places, I brought some common antibiotics, etc ( from pharmacutical rep.s, which I used to know) and gave them to clinics. In Burma, the guide asked if I had any pediatric medication that I didn’t use for my two kids on the trip, so he could pass them along to a doctor friend who worked in the local pediatric clinic. The last day, I gave him kids’ tylenol, etc. FINDING CHARITIES TO HELP A great web site is http://www.stuffmyrucksack.com/, which has a global map, and you click on it where you are going. For example, I clicked on Indonesia and a local charity in Denpasar, Bali ( same area as the international airport) was recommended. The web site states what they particularly need. This charity’s requests included body wash, pillow cases and diapers. Some items are so easy to pack and one could pick up pillow cases and children’s clothes, cheaply at your charity shop. You are invited to put down a local charity that you found when traveling, upon your return. Be sure to get specific information, such as address, phone#, directions from the airport, etc. Just think of the positive message that you will give your children, as you go to clinics, school, etc, when abroad. It lets them realize that traveling isn’t just about yourself. Enjoy your adventures, while helping others!
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