Breezy Mama

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children

Why Your Kids DO Need Gluten

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Believe me, I thought I would be the LAST person on earth to give up gluten, but it’s been a few weeks now and I feel about a million times better!

It all started with a call from someone who was telling me they have been feeling like a zombie with zero energy, and every movement getting increasingly harder. THAT WAS ME, TOO! When they explained they learned it was a reaction from gluten, I immediately made a doctor appointment and decided to eliminate gluten. I can’t even tell you how much better I feel! After this experience, I began wondering if gluten was doing that to ME, should I be feeding my kids foods with gluten? And is there even any nutritional value to gluten? Breezy Mama turned to pediatrician Dr. Shakha Gillin, Co-founder of Coast Pediatrics Del Mar who explains why I SHOULD be giving my kids gluten-filled foods and more.

First, what exactly is gluten?

Gluten is a protein, made up of gliadin and glutelin, and found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and triticale.

Is there a point/ any health benefits to having kids eat gluten? Or should parents try and avoid it when possible?

Gluten is important. Wheat is a [Read more…] about Why Your Kids DO Need Gluten

Body Image: Tips for Helping Your Child Have a Healthy One

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Recently I nearly had a heart attack when I over heard my SIX year old and her bestie ask one another, “Do I look fat in this?” Another friend mentioned her Kindergarten son came home from school and asked her if she thought he was fat. What has Elmo been talking about their on the ‘ol Street? Seriously, I full well expected to address this issue at some point because I am raising children in bikini clad California, but ALREADY? Breezy Mama turned to Dr. de Freitas, a pediatrician and founder of Healthy Chats, for her advice for promoting a healthy body image no matter how young or old the child, signs a child/teen may have an eating disorder and more.

After hearing two six year olds ask one another if they look fat, what would you have recommended I had said? [Read more…] about Body Image: Tips for Helping Your Child Have a Healthy One

The Truth About Divorce, Protecting Yourself, Your Children and Your Assets

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Ironically, Breezy Mama Martha has learned a lot about divorce from being married… to a BIG D attorney. Recently, we were at our three year olds’ sports day and were told about a friend of a friend who is being taken advantage of after her husband decided to leave her and Martha said to me, “You need to tell moms how to protect themselves!” Breezy Mama turned to divorce attorney Jim Ratzer – a.k.a. Martha’s hubby – to get advice for moms either for themselves or to help out a friend who may need it and to our Go-to Psychologist Dr. Gordon Caras to discuss the best approach to take with the kids. Plus, Jenny of Perfectly Disheveled gives her firsthand account on life as a single mom. [Read more…] about The Truth About Divorce, Protecting Yourself, Your Children and Your Assets

My Son Had the Swine Flu: Learn from My Experience & Advice from a Pediatrician

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Kieran on his first big outing after recovring from the Swine Flu. Can you say happy?
Kieran on his first big outing after recovering from the Swine Flu. Can you say happy?

My Story:

Yes, it’s true; we were able to celebrate summer with my son coming down with the Swine Flu. This past July, Kieran woke up one morning with a runny nose. It was clear, so I didn’t think much about it and we went to our scheduled playdate. At it, he was acting tired, and would rather sit in my lap than play with his friends. When he opted to not have cake I knew something was up. That night, I put him to bed early figuring he just needed a good night’s sleep. The next day we headed up to Santa Barbara to see some family—it was a big trip, I hadn’t seen them in years so I didn’t think about canceling. Besides, Kieran seemed fine—he did just need a good night’s sleep.

After running around on the beach all day, Kieran started to [Read more…] about My Son Had the Swine Flu: Learn from My Experience & Advice from a Pediatrician

Crafternoon: 5 Cheap Boredom Busters

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100_2957Through the wonders of Facebook, Breezy Mama Rebecca and I reconnected after close to a twenty-year gap! It’s funny how not a moment goes by… except for the addition of kids! Recently, I learned in her post Carlsbad High (go Lancers!) life, she was a preschool teacher. She shared her crafty ideas that even I could be capable of.

As a stay at home Mama of two little ones, I absolutely love summer vacation. Every day is yours, no schedules to adhere to, no homework or carpooling, sleeping in, lazy days, water play, swimming, lots of time to do art projects and activities, play dates, popsicles, etc. But something starts to happen after a couple months of all that free time….burn-out, boredom and a sudden grasping at straws as to what to do to keep the children entertained. Those fun and new ideas we as Moms had in the beginning of summer no longer seem so exciting to the kids anymore. After all, it seems like we have been doing the same great ideas so often that they are now routine. With August already upon us, so is the typical end of summer boredom. Yawn! Moms are beginning to really appreciate that school will be starting again soon and some I know have even begun the counting down of days. Here are some fun, easy and low cost boredom busters you can do at home to mix things up a bit and reignite that spark of excitement in your children. And most importantly, just about everything needed to implement these ideas can already be found in your home. YAY! Music to a Mommy’s ears! Enjoy the final days of summer with your little ones and these simple, fun and easy projects.

5. Kool-Aid Playdough. This is a personal favorite that I have made with my preschool students (and now my own children) for years and years. What can make playdough even more fun than it already is? Yummy fruit scents, that’s what! We keep a plethora of playdough tools on hand and I try to switch things out and mix it up as often as I can. This keeps it [Read more…] about Crafternoon: 5 Cheap Boredom Busters