Dear Parents and Friends,

My name is Dana Stockbridge and I am a mother to two boys; Parker age 7 and Cohen age 3. Parker has always struggled with what we call “changing channels”. He was always thought to be just your “average overactive BOY”, as the doctors put it. I noticed at about age 3 he was a bit different than the other children, but only slightly. He has trouble focusing, sitting still and being over stimulated, loud and overly silly. What I guess they now label ADHD. Those letters scared me and secretly still do, but with a change in our lifestyle and diet we have learned to work past his obstacles and treat each issue accordingly. Maybe my story is similar to yours or far different. What I have found is healthy living and in doing that you might feel you sleep, eat, and function better.
In my search as a parent to become more aware of the toxicity level in myself and my children I found some tips helpful and would like to share them with you. First I will start with the places I choose to shop. Many things can now be found in you local grocery store, but Traders is my favorite...

#1 SECRET and this is for parents and children alike
Epsom-salt baths 2 to 3 times weekly
This helps with pulling toxins from your body as well as relaxes your joints and muscles
(can be found at Costco and most drug stores)

Trader Joes has great prices and natural alternatives to feed your family and there are three locations in Long Beach
2222 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach - (562) 596-2514
4121 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach - (562) 988-0695
6451 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach - (562) 596-4388

Whole Foods is another option, although it is a bit more expensive, I utilize it for specific food allergies and as more of a vitamin resource.
6550 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach

Vitamin City is my don’t wanna drive all the way to Whole Foods backup
6247 E Spring St Long Beach

The the small bits of research I have done have opened my mind to SO many different ways to lesson the levels of the unnecessary toxins in our environment. Wether it be cleaning products, natural foods, or chemical free plastics. There are so many things legally allowed into our food, water and living agents that ARE harmful to our children and ourselves. Here are some interesting and helpful blogs and also little gems I have found on my toxic free adventure.

This is the diet we used to detox our family and the web site has been a VERY valuable place for gathering information and connecting with other parents.
http://www.feingold.org/

This is the city of Long Beach Eco Friendly web Page
It gives times and locations for the Farmers Markets and other helpful links (look to the right of the page).
http://www.longbeach.gov/citymanager/citys_sustainability_programs/default.asp


This is a FUN blog. I visit it often for tidbits of information here and there. She has a great reference for BPA free plastic kids cups and the facts about chemical plastics. Fun finds from her just keep clicking.
http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/

This web site is a great source for all things recycled. I found things on this web site are a bit on the expensive side, but will LAST. I am purchasing the Laptop Lunch Box System from this site. No more plastic zip-locks and juice boxes.
http://www.reusablebags.com/

I am a huge Nana’s Cookies fan. My son is allergic to all things dairy, so it creates a bit of an issue when it comes to baked goods. These cookies are delicious and natural. They can be found at Whole Foods and Vitamin City (check on Mondays for new shipment) if you don’t want to buy on line.
http://www.healthycrowd.com/

With living additive free, special holidays or even a trip to the move theater cause an issue when it comes to safe candy. In our home it is unrealistic to think we will be sugar free, so I was told about this awesome online candy store and have been shopping there since Halloween. Yes, I had an additive free Halloween and the kids did not care just as long as there was a special treat at the end. Just cause it doesn’t say M&M’s doesn’t mean it don’t taste like M&M’s. Enjoy! Plus Traders sells additive free suckers and gummy bears YAY!
www.naturalcandystore.com or http://www.purefun.ca/

I use Seventh Generation cleaning products and they can be found at Target. Contrary to popular belief they are pretty close in price to regular chemically based cleaning products. I also find suitable soaps at Traders, Shikai shower gel (found at Traders) has worked for my kids with no reaction.
If you have the money to spend up front you can save money over time with a condensed natural product; there is one called Melaleuca. My sister is a proud user of these products and she is also living chemical free to help her son who has Autism.
http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm

Good luck! Have fun and don’t be scared to take the first step in making your home and family as healthy as they can be (baby steps). Please don’t hesitate to use me for support. I don’t know it all, but I am more than happy to help you find the answers.
mommiesboys@charter.net

Peanut Butter Carob Balls
1/2 cup Carob Powder
1/2 cup Honey
1/2 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Raw Sunflower Seeds
1/2 cup Sesame Seeds
1/2 cup Oats
1/2 cup Flax Seed Meal

Mix ingredients by hand. Form them into bite size balls and roll them in shredded coconut.


*Please note that some of the views and statements provided on some of the web sites are not supported by myself. Take what you need and leave the rest.

Parker is Literate

WOW, look where we are. This is crazy he is reading. Parker has really put his all in to first grade. He has a bit of an issue with "silliness" in class, but when it comes to math and reading he is doing so well. Tonight when we were doing our weekly reader, that helps with fluency, I realized HOLY CRAP Parker is reading. I don't know why it took me so long to have that realization, but it just hit me. He has been learning how to read and NOW he is actually reading. It is amazing this process of having children. I know it is often said, but time REALLY does pass so quickly and watching this fact proven with your children's growth is scary yet inspiring. I don 't feel as if I am reliving my youth through them as much as I am becoming a stronger adult. They have had such a hand in who I have become and is that good or bad? The jury is still out, but I hope it's pretty ok.

California Adventure Day

Disney days are here again

We had an awesome day at California Adventure. The boys were a blast and I thought I would take some time to share their adventures with you.

This is Parker on one of the smaller roller coasters 

Mom and P in bugs life

Coco and Mom in line for the bumper cars

This is the most cherrished Disney pass time WAITING IN LINE

Bumper Daddy "drivers ready?"

Coco and Mom in the bumpers

2nd run on the water ride

Brother Bear show

Parker was scared at first to ride the "big boy" roller coaster California Screamin, but after some "Mommy will go with you" he jumped on for a second run with Dad. It was cold but we brought our ponchos and Parker and Andy rode the water ride three times. Andy is in the clear poncho and Parker is in the green. Andy looks like a giggling little girl. Too funny!

It is so Southern California that some of our favorite family memories happen at Disneyland and we are so fortunate to be able to have these special moments. I remember Parker being but a wee lad and breast feeding in the Tiki Room (over information) and Cohen practicing his walking waiting for the Muppet show. With each visit a new chance for crazy memories is made. This visit Parker exclaimed "Mom already is 2009 I lost both my front teeth AND rode California Screemin for the first time" WOW what a monument P. Andy gets excited working the system with fast passes and switch passes and he feels like a is pulling the wool over Disney's eyes that a family of four skipped to the front of the line. Tee Hee... I like to watch everyone's excitement for what is coming next and what has just been. Oh and capturing every second on film ... it's the Mom job.

FREAKY

BEFORE

(REALLY loose)

AFTER 

(with a bit of PB&J on the cheak)

Time for awkward 

CHRISTMAS 2008

The boys met with Santa and got to ask for their most excellent gift ever the build it your own light saber. It has been the most talked about gift for the last four months. 

Parker was in his school production of the Polar Express where he was the Conductor. He made me this really awesome ornament to hang on our tree.

This was the very first ornament Andy and I had together before kids and only two cat's. This will always be my most treasured keepsake. Thanks 1999!

Parker put out Vegan cookies, (just in case Santa had a problem with egg like Parker) carrots and a nice note. What an artist.

The final look before the wake up alarm at 5am

My Mom slept over that night and was in the living room. Parker asked her to see if she could get a picture of Santa running out the door (no chimney here). This is what she got hmmm.... how clever. Parker almost had an accident at the sight of this picture.

Santa's note back to the boys

Matching Jama's

Everyone needs a backup oooh and a front up too.

Who is having the most fun we are still not sure.

THERE IS A SANTA!!!! They got the Light Sabers YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

The aftermath X Mas 2008

Cohen is THREEEEEEE

Cohen has turned THREE!!!! He kinda gets the bummer Birthday due to the time of year, but we had a small celebration and opened gifts and had a cake. Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy. Ma Mum loves you Happy Birthday Coco.