Warts are so annoyingly persistent, and the liquid compounds and medicinal band-aids don’t seem to work for me. The warts would eventually return.

A few years ago I had a little girl in my classroom, whose hand was covered with 30 or more warts requiring her to go to the doctor for examination. They were removed and she stayed home until she healed. After that I noticed that I was getting two warts on my hand, and attributed it to having held her hand earlier trying to teach her to write her name.

I began treating them with the liquid compound, then the treated bandages, and later the duct tape, to no avail. They might get smaller, but would eventually return. Three years later I finally read about garlic. Yes, you read correctly, garlic! At night before going to bed I cut a little piece of fresh garlic just large enough to cover the wart, and then wrapped a band-aid around the finger and went to bed. In the morning I would remove the band-aid with the garlic.

After a few days of the garlic cure I saw the wart getting smaller and beginning to turn black. It was a bit frightening, but I persisted. One wart is now completely gone, the other one is black and shrinking! Some nights I would feel a strong pulsing in one of the fingers being treated, and other times it would actually hurt. However, I never removed the garlic until in the morning. It was worth a little discomfort to be wart free.

Before you go to see a dermatologist; give the garlic cure a try, I think you will be most pleased. Then treat yourself to something special with what you have saved.

The Environmental Working Group published their annual produce list of the 12 vegetables and fruits having the highest pesticide levels in 2011. These are ones that you should avoid or try to buy organic.

If you have no choice but non-organic, you should use a product to clean off most of the residues and wax from your produce. Cleaning fruits and vegetables with a produce wash, like Fit, if used properly “removes 98% more pesticides and wax than water alone” as stated on the bottle.

The following are the fruits and vegetables that made the “Dirty Dozen list”.

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

The good news is that they also have a “Clean Fifteen” list that you can choose from with confidence.

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplants
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Try to make these your staples if you aren’t able to afford the organic choices. and maybe consider raising some of your own organic vegetables if you have even a little land. Thank goodness there is much more organically grown produce now, though at a higher price for those who live on zero lot lines.

As we all know farming has changed in the last couple of decades; what with GMOs, and heavy use of pesticides and weed killers, our produce is not the pristine quality available to older generations. Our beef and poultry are raised with hormones and antibiotics and housed in cramped and sometimes unthinkable quarters, rather than allowed to roam free like they were in former days.

Let’s do all we can to eat right and feed our children the best of what is available. We need to do everything within our power to increase our health and fitness as well as our family’s and enjoy our blessings to the fullest, especially those precious grandchildren.

Babies 9-10 months of age usually:

• Begin to get up on their hands and knees, rock forward and backward and some may may even have been crawling for a few weeks.

• Love to feel and smell a special stuffed animal or blanket commonly called a “lovey”, which gives them a sense of calmness.
• Recognize their name and look in your direction when you tell them “No”.
• Explore their sense of touch and enjoy different textures, such as plush, velvet, flannel, corduroy and carpeting. Protect them from sharp or hot items that could hurt them.
• Are starting to grasp cause and effect and will let go of something knowing it will fall.
• Love banging on pots and pans with wooden or plastic spoons, are drawn to remote controls, cell phones, computer keyboards, and even pianos.
• Will whine and cry and even show signs of a temper when you take something away from them. Tell yourself calmly that you are in charge and they are not.
• Love attention, and get excited and happy when you spend time playing with them, reading little books and singing songs, chanting rhymes and doing finger plays.
• Like playing peek-a-boo and may have been enjoying it for a few months, but now baby can actually begin to cover and uncover herself and then appear very surprised.
• Begin to pull up to standing position and cruise around by holding onto the furniture. Some will even let go and begin to take a step.
• Have a stronger sense of separation anxiety and might be clingier since they now recognize that some people are known and others are not.
• Baby may have been saying “mama” or “dada”, but now he will begin to make some consonant sounds such as f and p.
• Enjoy dumping the contents of lower shelves onto the floor.
• Love a game of hide and seek where you crawl behind a chair or door and then pop out causing them to laugh hysterically.
• Have been looking at the baby in the mirror for a while, but by now they begin to realize that they are the baby, and will smile at themselves.
• Laugh, scream and squeal with delight or temper, unfortunately even in quiet restaurants.
• Are beginning to learn to feed themselves. Tiny chunks of soft cooked apple, or plain Cheerios are good foods to try.

She has two teeth and tries to “taste” everything.. We cannot be distracted when eating out at a restaurant or at other enticing places where there could be some safety and health issues.

At nine months our granddaughter recognizes the voices of her family members even on the speaker phone, loves familiar songs, nursery rhymes and games such as peek-a-boo. She says “da-da” and several other sounds and has begun to reach out when she wants to be picked up. She will tentatively allow herself to be held briefly by someone she has just met, as long as her family is nearby.

She is beginning to learn to wave bye-bye, can nod her head, and understands that “no” is a word that she isn’t very fond of. She recently responded to a “no” from her dad as she was getting ready to put something in her mouth with a loud, babbling that sounded very much like she was talking back to him. Oh my! Could we possibly have a strong-willed grandchild?

The other day she was rubbing her eyes indicating that she needed a nap, and as I lifted her out of the play yard I heard her say a sound that resembled “night-night” which I say to her before leaving her room after turning on her napping music CD and settling her into her crib. Was it a coincidence? Time will tell, I suppose

She enjoys stuffed animals and a few of finger plays, games and songs in three languages. She knows when a favorite part is coming in the chant Five Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed and will focus on me expectantly as I say “Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, “No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed” She smiles with recognition and pleasure upon hearing her favorite part.

Like most babies her age, she enjoys books with a picture and one word per page, books with pictures of animals and their sounds, as well as books with songs that play when the cover is opened and the book is sung or read. She likes to turn the pages randomly at this time. I am hoping that this big interest in books will continue to grow as she develops.
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When I talk to her and look intently into her eyes and say, “I love you so much” she will sometimes touch my face gently as if to say, “I know Grandma”. This is a most wonderful and delightful stage in her life and ours!  Grandchildren are such blessings to their parents and grandparents!  They are a picture of God’s goodness and loving kindness towards those who are His children!

In the famous nun study published many years ago, it was determined that those nuns who were intellectually stimulated, kept a daily journal, remained interested and active in various pursuits and were physically active also, fared well brain-wise even into their late nineties.

In recent studies a link has been established between high sugar consumption and damage to our brains. This is bad news for the avowed owner of an overactive sweet tooth such as myself.

In one study of over 900 elderly people over a four year period, the ones with the greatest intake of calories from these sources were found to have increased their incidences of dementia by a rate of 50%. What could be the problem with enjoying lots of sweets and carbohydrates?

Several scientific reasons were brought to light

• High sugar intake causes a dramatic increase in a person’s metabolism, and this in turn is a major source of the production of free radicals which damage cells and negatively affect their functions.
• The high sugar levels then react with a variety of critical proteins in the body as well as with the enzymes that repair the DNA damage caused by free radicals.
• Now if a person has continuing high sugar ingestion, the cells will be prevented from absorbing the sugar in order to produce energy and he or she will have a condition known as insulin resistance.
• Recently in another study, people with Alzheimer’s dementia were found to have a high incidence of insulin resistance. This seems to indicate that there could be a link between high sugar consumption and dementia.

As we have been told so much lately in the news, the worst possible form of sugar is high fructose corn syrup which seems to be in most of the packaged cookies, crackers, snacks, sweet cereals, jellies, candies and baked goods sold in stores.

Can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Don’t believe that “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks” line. We can tame that implacable sugar monster if we are intentional about it. We have much wisdom gained with age and experience and with some determined and informed resolve. There is much more depth to our lives than simply gratifying our cravings; this is true in every area of our lives.

One thing we need to consider is that while we would eventually neither be aware of nor perhaps care at all about the changes in our brain after a certain point in the decline, but our loved ones will be the very people forced to deal with this sorrowful ordeal, so we must choose wisely and lovingly; a high sugar diet or our health and our families’ peace of mind.

As you read this you can’t imagine how you would live without your sugar!  I hope you can see that it is not only essential but also worth the sacrifice to dramatically reduce the sugar and simple carbohydrate consumption if you hope to cut in half your chances of getting this ravaging disease.

We can truly learn to really enjoy all kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole-grains, and whole grain baked goods while flourishing with health and potentially sparing our loved ones the sorrow of watching us become an empty shell of what we once were; should we acquire dementia.

“We can do it with the Lord’s help!”

What causes a fever?

There are many things that can cause a fever. Fever is a symptom rather than an illness. It can be caused by a baby’s tooth coming through, a cold, tonsillitis, measles, mumps, possibly food poisoning or an earache.

A fever can stem from any illness which has been caused by a virus or bacteria. It is simply the body fighting off an infection, which is a natural but disheartening process. When you look into your child’s eyes and see that he is suffering from a fever your heart goes out to him; you would even be willing to change places with him to spare him the misery..

Several symptoms of a fever:

• A child’s normal temperature is between 96.8 to 98.6; however, with a fever it will be over 99.5.
• The skin feels hot and sweaty or possibly hot and dry.
• A red flushed face with hot hands and feet can indicate a fever.
• The child says he feels very hot and also feels chilly with shivers.
• Droopy eyes with no energy and just wanting to sleep.

What should you do?

1. When you take your child’s temperature, make sure she or he hasn’t very active, if so make the child rest for a short while before taking his temperature.
2. Check the temperature every half hour or so.
   If the child has the shivers, this is the body trying to rid itself of heat, place a light blanket over him.

If there is fever:

• Make your child as comfortable as you can, make sure he isn’t wearing too many clothes.
• If the child wants a bath; a lukewarm bath can be cooling. Do not insist if the child doesn’t want a bath.
• Give the child lots of fluids to drink, preferably water or diluted apple juice Try to avoid artificial sweeteners, chemicals and colors.
• Make sure the child is not dehydrating. Signs of dehydration are drowsiness, sleepiness, vomiting or diarrhea for more than 5 hours, dry lips and mouth, and dark and smelly urine.

If the child is dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea, or his temperature reaches 103 degrees, or has been high for more than 10 hours get medical help immediately! This is also necessary if there are other symptoms present, if he is convulsing, or is younger than 3 months of age.

As modern day grandparents we may have a few non-serious stresses which can cause irritation or burning of the eyes. Of course aging, allergies and in some cases; strain from looking at a computer screen for several hours a day can be common culprits. Our first resort is usually eye drops such as Tears Naturale Forte or artificial tears.

Home remedies or recommendations:

To apply a used, chilled tea bag to the each eye. For general purposes a regular black tea bag is useful. However for infection you can alternate green and chamomile tea bags which have been used and chilled. You should lie down and apply the tea bag(s) for about 15 minutes or so. A nap at the same time could be a real bonus!

A condition involving the eye lids which seems to be very common in older adults is called blepheritis. It causes inflammation or infection of the eyelid causing the eyelid to become red, itchy, and irritated. It is usually related to chronic skin conditions such as skin allergies, dandruff, or eczema. Another possible cause is a staphylococcus bacterium. You should see your eye doctor if you have this or any other eye infection.

One lady said that after many years of dealing with blepheritis, a new doctor suggested that she wash her eyes with baby shampoo, and use warm compresses from time to time. Her routine is to dip a Q-tip into diluted baby shampoo and scrub her lashes every night. She found that her lashes are also thicker and healthier looking. She also uses the chamomile tea bags in the evening and says that it has made a big difference in her condition since she began doing this almost five years ago.

Another grandmother shared that she dips cotton balls in cold milk and places them on her eyes for 15 minutes before she goes to bed.

A lady says that she applies olive oil to her eyelashes and goes off to sleep. According to her this relaxes her eyes and also rejuvenates her eye sight.

You may have heard of cucumber slices placed over your eyes while lying down, but you may also cut a strawberry in half and place it on your eyes (unless you are allergic to strawberries). Also potato slices placed on the eyes are said to give your eyes a fresh look as well as help to reduce the dark circles under the eyes.

My husband and I are trying to decide what kind of coffee maker we should buy. We have always wanted to buy quality, however, the last coffee maker we bought cost a lot of money and the coffee didn’t taste any different; then after two and a half years, the heating filament burned out. Do you have any recommendations?

Jill- Omaha

We have just purchased a new coffee maker after spending much time on-line and in stores trying to decide which one was the best for the money. The more reviews and consumer comments we read the more confused we became. We came to the conclusion that all coffee makers have their good points and their bad points; and some are such lemons that the coffee probably has a sour taste.

We settled on a name brand with a stainless steel carafe which cost $80.00 but returned it after three brews because after the first cup, the coffee had a terrible taste. We considered paying more but found some bad reviews on the more expensive models as well.

Sears Kenmore – Our Choice:

To make a long, convoluted story short, we ended up buying a Sears Kenmore with an extended warranty for less than $30.00 including the state sales tax. This machine may not have all of the bells and whistles; however it is an excellent drip coffee maker that makes delicious coffee. Jill, there are other brands out there for less than $50.00 that are simple and practical. We really suggest that you check out the Kenmore version.

Findings which can affect the lives of our children and grandchildren were reported by psychologists Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin as they sifted through 80 years of research begun in 1921.  Stanford University psychologist Lewis Terman tracked bright 10 year olds with his focus on intellectual achievement. However, his detailed interviews have provided the material for additional research in other areas as well since his death in 1956. Friedman and Martin are among those who’ve studied his work in order to write their book: “The Longevity Project.”

Significant Findings:

This project has revealed some significant findings which impact the quality and length of life of our children and grandchildren. It seems that a high IQ has no direct link to longevity, nor does getting an advanced degree in a field. According to Friedman and Martin they have determined that persistence and the ability to accept and deal with life’s challenges are better predictors of longevity.

The quality that is the best childhood predictor of a long life is conscientiousness. Their insightful conclusion is that “The often complex pattern of persistence, prudence, hard work, close involvement with friends and communities” produces a person who is well-organized and who is “somewhat obsessive and not at all carefree.”

Surprisingly, cheerful children did not live as long as their more serious-minded classmates. The authors explained that these risk-taking children became adults who engaged in behaviors known to be life-shortening such as drinking, smoking, and driving fast cars. Sadly they were also often the ones to die from a homicide, suicide or accident. With that information, please don’t decide that you must squelch the cheeriness of your child’s personality; instead, as Friedman and Martin wisely suggest, make every effort to instill values such as “forethought and purposefulness” in these happy-go-lucky souls. They certainly add a lot of sunshine to our lives.

It seems that the early death of a parent did not have any measurable effect on the child’s life span or his/her own mortality risk. Instead, the researchers discovered that parental divorce was the “single strongest predictor of early death in adulthood.” The Wall Street Journal summarized the findings by saying that the grown children of divorced parents “died almost five years earlier, on average, than children from intact families.” Causes of death for these children ranged from accidents and results of violence to cancer, heart attacks and strokes. According to the authors, parental break-ups are among the most traumatic and harmful events for children.

The subjects in the study, who did best in the longevity aspect also tended for the most part to be very physically active, to give back to their communities, have thriving and enduring careers, healthy marriages and a good family life. They also had the strength of character and resiliency to deal with reverses and challenges;  loss of a spouse, career disappointments, divorce, and the traumas of war.

They also found that those study subjects who had darker dispositions, and were not able to take life as it comes, but considered even minor problems as a catastrophe or calamity were the most likely to die sooner. “The Longevity Project” doesn’t say by what percentage this occurs, but another study which was published in 1998 reported that men in the Terman group were 25% more likely to die by 65 if they were prone to consider every set-back as though it were a catastrophe.

A book reviewer of “The Longevity Project” says that “its larger aim seems to be to improve public health by encouraging a society with more goal-oriented and conscientious citizens.” This is certainly a worthy effort for all of us to invest in, especially those of us now in the parenting or grand-parenting years. We can help model and inculcate in our children the skills, healthy outlooks and character traits needed to live productive, happy and rewarding lives that are a blessing to others as well as to our own families.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS5lLsf3eiw

“Cradle Cap” is a common condition of the scalp seen in babies as newborns up to small children 3 years of age.  It is due to an excessively oily scalp caused by the transfer of the mother’s hormones to the baby at the end of the pregnancy.

It appears as flaky white, yellow or brown scales or crusts appearing on oily places in the scalp. It can itch, though it doesn’t in every case. If it does, however, constant scratching of the area involved can cause more inflammation, and there may be mild infections or bleeding where there are breaks in the skin.

Cradle cap is not contagious, neither is it due to poor bathing rituals, nor an allergy. It is harmless and often a temporary and non-dangerous condition. Sometimes there will be similar crusts seen around the nose, eyelids, and the back and insides of the ears.  Areas with creases or folds such as the arm pits and the groin area may also be affected.

Cradle cap treatment:

• Massage the baby’s scalp gently either using your finger tips or a soft brush to loosen the scales and help the circulation. Do not pick the scales off as often the hair will also be removed and not grow back quickly.

• Give your baby gentle shampoos with a mild soap as a daily routine while the scales are visible (Castile or Mustela’s Stelaker/Cradle Cap) are good ones. After they have disappeared, you can shampoo twice a week.

• Make sure to rinse off all of the soap!

• Use a clean, soft brush after every shampoo and several times a day to gently brush your child’s hair.

• If the scales are not loosening and washing off, you may apply some baby oil or olive oil to the baby’s scalp and wrap warm wet cloths around her head for 10-20 minutes before shampoos. But check and do not allow the cloths to become cold as this could bring the baby’s temperature down drastically.

• Shampoo your baby’s hair after the oil treatment; do not leave the oil on.

If your baby appears uncomfortable or is scratching the scabs, if they are red or causing pain, or there is fluid or pus draining from the scabs, contact your pediatrician. She may be willing to prescribe a cream or lotion that you can apply to her scalp.

Though Cradle Cap may be a bit unsightly for a while, remember it is not a permanent condition! It often improves in the summer months, particularly after outdoor activities.