Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

It is that time of year again – pumpkins can be found in stores and homes. Most people look forward to pumpkin pie, but the seeds are the truly healthy part of the pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds have been used by North American Indians for their health benefits and as a food source over the centuries. Studies show that pumpkin seeds can help with a wide range of ailments, from bladder incontinences to treating intestinal paresites. Pumpkins are part of the gourd family and contain an ingredient called cucurbitace, which has cancer fighting properties. It has been particularly helpful with fighting prostate cancer.

Many people simply discard the seeds because they don’t know how to prepare them. It is actually quite easy and can be a fun family activity.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of pumpkin seeds all year round, or if you don’t want the mess and work of making your own, you can order pumpkin seeds online. Since they are a ‘safe’ school snack, the kids can bring them for lunch. The health benefits from pumpkin seeds are fantastic, so make sure you take advantage of them this Halloween/Thanksgiving.

Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Parents

There are accidents and incidents every Halloween that can spoil the holiday. Pedestrian accidents, tampered products causing illness or lacerations, falls, fires, etc. Here are my Top 10 Tips to keep your family safe this halloween.

1. Costumes. Make sure the costumes you buy are flame retardant. They should fit well and not be too long so kids can walk without tripping. Watch out for dangling strings, fringes, scarves, etc. When choosing a costume, pick ones that will be comfortable for hours of wear, and will keep the child warm enough for chilly nights trick or treating. Avoid costumes and accessories that are sharp or pointy.
2. Be visible. Costume that are reflective or bright are best so kids are visible by car drivers. If the costume is dark, consider adding some reflective tape to the costume, treat bag, shoes, etc. Reflective tape and a flashlight can make your child more visible in the dark.
3. Masks. Be wary of mask since they can obscure vision. They are usually difficult to wear for any length of time. Opt for makeup and hats instead.
4. Pumpkins. Do not let kids carve pumpkins themselves. Let them draw faces or designs on the pumpkins with markers and you do the carving. Instead of candles, use fairy lights, Christmas lights, or the orange lights now available at many stores. Just carve an extra hole in the back of the pumpkin so you can bring the plug through.
5. Your Home. Before the little ghouls and goblins start arriving, make sure your home is ready. Clear off any items on your lawn that kids could trip on in the dark. Make sure your walkway is clear and lit. Check that your porch light works.
6. Pets. Pets should be secured in a back part of the house. All the excitement and noise can upset them. You do not want them getting loose, or worse – biting a child.
7. Safety outside. Warn your kids about running across the street. Night comes earlier this time of year and motorists may have trouble seeing the little ones if they dart out. There are pedestrian accidents every year during Halloween. Use extra caution if you are driving.
8. Safe Trick or Treating. An adult must always go with small children. Teach your child to only go to homes where the lights are on. They should never enter inside a home. They should never go off with anyone promising sweets or enter a car for treats.
9. Safety in Numbers. Older kids will probably want to go without parents, but lay down some rules first. Make kids stay together. Plan the route they will take, so they can find each other if one person gets lost, and you know where to go looking for them if you need to. Remind them to remain on the streets: not to cut across lawns or through alley ways. At least one child should carry a cell phone.
10. Treat Safety. Once your kids get home, go through their candy. Throw out any suspicious or unwrapped items. Apples should be washed and cut up into pieces or used to make apple sauce. Limit the sweets children eat. My recommendation is to give Halloween toys instead of candy. They are free of allergens and sugar; toys are fun; and leftovers can be saved for next year. You can also get inexpensive Halloween flashlights and reflective necklaces as treats.

A little preparation can ensure everyone has a happy, and safe, Halloween.

Back to School With Childrens’ Cold and Flu

Your kids will have a greatly increased risk of catching infections once they go back to school. Common illnesses include colds, flu, stomach flu, and pink eye. With swine flu added in the mix this year, it is more important than ever to try and protect your kids’ health. 

There are 2 good ways to do this: boosting their immune system and proper hand washing. When a person infected with a virus coughs or sneezes, they spread the flu virus by droplets. These droplets can infect your child when they come into direct contact, so teach your child to avoid contact with anyone that is coughing, sneezing or ill. People are most contagious the first 3 days of a cold.

Kids are back to school and so are the germs

Schools are breeding grounds for germs.

Unfortunately, these virus droplets can also land on desks, toys, doorknobs, hands that wipe noses, etc. Your child is also at risk from secondary exposure to the virus when they touch a surface that has been contaminated.

The best way to combat that is to wash hands often, wash them well, and always wash before eating. If you have a very young child, show them proper hand washing technique using soap, washing for 30 seconds, and making sure the thumb is well washed too. Singing a short song, like happy birthday, can give a young children an idea of how long 30 seconds take.

The other way to protect your child is to boost their immune system. The primary source for building and maintaining a healthy immune system is good food. Feed them whole grains, fruits, vegetables, wholesome foods, and foods with vitamin C. Avoid fast foods, sugary and processed foods. Kids also need lots of sleep for their growing bodies. Exercise and fresh air is important, as is avoidance of toxins.  Learn more about kids’ nutrition and health from parenting sites or your pediatrician.

There are some natural products that help boost the immune function which can supplement a good diet. Natural anti-viral formulas contain components like Echinacea, elderberry, astragalus, licorice and extracts of reishi mushroom. How do you tell the difference between a cold and flu? Colds often begin with a sore throat, runny nose or sneezing, cough, congestion, and, sometimes, a low grade fever (below 101 F). Symptoms of the flu include fever – often moderate to high, headache, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, sneezing, runny nose and eyes, and loss of appetite. Children may also have nausea, diarrhea or vomiting.

If your child does fall ill, treatment will usually consist of rest and plenty of fluids until the viral infection runs its course. Never send your children to school if they have a fever, diarrhea, or are very ill.

See a doctor if your child seems very sick or lethargic, if fever lasts more than 3 days, sore throat pain lasts more than 2 days, or if symptoms do not improve or new ones occur within 5 days. Also talk to your doctor if your child’s cough gets worse, lasts more than a week, recurs often, or if the cough is accompanied by a rash, high fever or persistent headache.

Your Body After Baby

Congratulations!

You made it through the pregnancy, labour and delivery. Whether you had a caesarian (c-section) or natural birth to deliver your baby, your body has been through alot in creating a whole new life. Along with taking care of your little bundle – midnight feedings, crying, diapers, etc., you may be feeling out of shape and tired. I doubted I would ever fit in my pre-pregnancy jeans again or that I would ever feel well rested. I am happy to say I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight and have found ways to work diet and exercise into taking care of my infant.

I would like to share some tips with you. During pregnancy your body stores seven to ten pounds of fat in order to provide you with energy for the first few months after childbirth. Eating properly and getting exercise will help you to slowly get those pounds off. This is not a time to try fad diets or starve yourself.

You need healthy nutrition to give you energy for all that is ahead. Usually you lose up to fifteen pounds right after your baby is born. Quite often you will retain close to five pounds of fluid, but that should be out of your system within a few days. One of the best ways to speed up weight loss after the baby is born is by breastfeeding.

When you breastfeed, your body burns up to one thousand calories a day to produce milk. Eating fruits, vegetables and grains and keeping your water intake high helps you lose the extra weight while providing your baby with good nutrients. What worked best for me while caring for my baby was to have several small, light meals – scattered throughout the day.

As a new parent, you don’t get long stretches of time to relax or have a 3 course dinner. I am rarely able to finish a cup of coffee without having to reheat it a few times over the course of the morning! That’s why it is important to be prepared and keep lots of fresh, easy to eat foods in the house. I buy pre-cut veggies, fruits, whole grain crackers and breads, cheese sticks, yogurt, chicken breast strips, individual tuna cans and apples. This way there is always something healthy to snack on.

Don’t buy chips, candy or junk food that call out when you are tired and your energy is low. If it isn’t in the house – you won’t binge. Eating several meals throughout the day also helps regulate your energy and milk flow and keeps you from getting too hungry – helping you stick to your meal plan.

Take as many walks with baby as possible. Get a light weight stroller or carriage, or a jogging stroller if you prefer to run. The fresh air is great for both you and the baby, and will help strengthen your muscles and build your stamina. If the weather is poor and you can’t go outside, do exercises indoors – with a workout dvd or music. Your baby can watch you from their seat – or lie on a blanket near your exercise mat.

 If you have other friends who are new moms, organize some play dates or walks. It is a wonderful way to trade tips, compare milestones and offer support. If you don’t know any new moms and babies, check if your neighborhood has a moms and tots or parenting center that can hook you up with a support group. Support groups are a great source of advice, as are internet parenting sites.

It took 9 months to have the baby. Expect it to take time to get your body back in shape. Safest for you after having the baby is healthy eating and moderate exercise, leading to slow, yet consistent weight loss. It is also a very sound approach that tends to yield more permanent results and will keep you energized while taking care of your newborn.

Welcome to Nancy the Nurse’s blog site!

I will be posting weekly posts on health and nutrition for kids & parents.  I am very dismayed by the shape our kids are in – there is such a high rate of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems related to unhealthy eating,   huge portions and a sedentary lifestyle. 

As parents, it is up to us to set a good example and to provide guidance.  My goal is to help families become healthier and more active together.  The trend is reversable – if we all work on it.  Having the right information is key to making good choices.  I hope to provide some helpful information through this blog that will help your family achieve  the best quality of life through healthy living.

Wishing you good physical and mental health,

Nurse Nancy

*disclaimer:  nothing in this Blog should be considered medical advice. As always, if you have any medical concerns check with your doctor.