Trip to Greece: Athens

After cramming 2 weeks worth of travel attire and needs into a carry-on, flight delay, missing a connection, and what seemed like 12+ hours of travel time, we finally made it to Greece. 

We showered, rallied, and head out 

for sightseeing. 

The Parthenon (Greek: Παρθενών) is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece.

Late night we stopped into Brettos for a fun traditional Greek cocktail.

Rakomelo - raki boiled with honey

So far, so fun!

Wellness in the New Year

Happy New Year!

Many of us vow healthy goals for New Year's resolutions. A segment of the Kojo Nnamdi Show this week really spoke to me, and has made me choose some simple and achievable goals that will benefit my health and overall wellness. The discussion was about wellness in the workplace, and I thought... What about wellness in the home, in school, and so on? The guests talked about how they felt the U.S. has a "diseasecare" system, instead of a healthcare system, and how we need to focus on preventing illness, aches, and pains - not just masking them. I feel that many of the ideas given in the show would benefit families, not just companies.

Overall wellness is often a New Year's Resolution for many people. Make a simple goal to listen to this show.

Listen to the show: The Kojo Nnamdi Show - Wellness And The Workplace

The white fillings in are teeth are made out of BPA!

Depositphotos.com: Healing teeth | Stock Photo © Dmitriy Shironosov #10730087

BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. The National Toxicology Program at the Department of Health and Human Services has some concern about the possible health effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. The Food and Drug Administration now shares the concern and is taking steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply by finding alternatives to BPA in food containers.

Thanks again to the Feingold Association for their continued research on behavioral issues.  In their July issue of eNews, Feingold posts an article titled "Now What?" This article describes a connection between the fillings in our teeth and behavior. Shocking!

Now What?

---

Ever since we realized that amalgam fillings were 50% mercury, many of us have been opting for "white" fillings as a safer choice. They certainly are prettier. But ARE they safer?

Now we find that these fillings - and the dental sealants that are supposed to protect our children from fillings - are all made with BPA. Yes - that stuff we have been trying to get out of baby bottles and food can linings. We are actually paying to have it put directly into our kids' (and our own) mouths.

New research shows that children receiving such fillings lose "just a few" points on a neurobehavioral scale, becoming "just a little" more moody, more aggressive, and less well adjusted.

I have tried to find both sides of the issue, so - if you have teeth - read more here:

Science News

Huffington Post

AOL Video News Clip

Feingold Association. "Now What?" - Feingold.org 
"Putting BPA-based Dental Fillings In Perspective - Science News." - Science News
Horowitz, Janice. "Dueling Docs: Are Dental Sealants Safe for Kids?" - The Huffington Post

PLEASE READ: I Wear Royal Blue - One Month and Not One Word from United Airlines

I Wear Royal Blue: One Month and Not One Word from United Airlines: My mother, Jan Allmon, became paralyzed at T8 in March of 2011 from a neurological condition known as transverse myelitis. Until our vac...

Check out DC Burger Boys at Metro 29 Diner

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Don't Get Burned! - EWG’s Guide to Summer Sun

This summer, don’t get burned! Check out EWG’s Guide to Summer Sun. Did you know that one sunburn in childhood doubles your chance of developing skin cancer? Can you guess how much money the sunscreen industry makes every year from products that rarely work?

Get the facts. Read EWG’s updated summer 2012 list of the best beach & sport sunscreens;  research on sunscreens exposed; and their guide to summer sun infograph below.

All info from EWG (http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/)

The Best Student Council Speech Ever

Sadly, Jackson lost his campaign for Student Council Treasurer, but not without some drama. The treasurer position ended up in a tie, so at the end of the school day they held a revote, then he lost by 1 vote!

We are still super proud. It's pretty amazing to get as far along as he did in the campaign, being a new student this school year, competing with older kids who have been with the school since kindergarten, and most of all, to get in front of the entire student body and give the coolest speech in student council history! (OK, the last part is just my opinion.)

Thanks again to everyone for the kind words and support. I know the last thing anyone wants to see or hear is bragging about someone else's child -- so all the messages are much appreciated.