How to gain 40 lbs when you are preggers

A WELL BALANCED PREGNANCY DIET CONSISTS OF:
Every day of the week you and your baby should have:
One quart (4 glasses) or more of milk. Any kind will do: whole milk, low fat, skim, buttermilk, or cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc....
Two eggs, (hard boiled, in french toast, or added to other foods).
One or two servings of fish or seafood, liver, chicken, lean beef, lamb, pork, beans or any kind of cheese.
One or two good servings of fresh green leafy vegetables: mustard, collard, turnip greens, spinach, lettuce, or cabbage.
Two or three slices of whole wheat bread, cornmeal, cornbread, or tortillas.
A piece of citrus fruit or glass of juice of lemon, lime, orange, tomato, or grapefruit.
Three pats of butter.
Other fruits and vegetables.Also include in your diet:
A serving of whole grain cereal such as oatmeal or granola.
A yellow or orange-colored fruit or vegetable five times a week.
Liver once a week. (if you like it)
Whole baked potato three times a week.
Plenty of fluids, water, juice etc.
Salt food to taste for a safe increase in blood volume.

http://www.bradleybirth.com/PD.aspx

This is the diet I followed. Funny enough...the weight has been coming off wonderfully...I have about 10 lbs to go. I didn't swell much at all. (I could take my rings off and on easily until about 3 days or so before Amelia was due) I was a protein fanatic!!! I highly recommend this diet and birthing methods for that matter.

Ideas needed

So Amelia has an aversion to pureed foods ever since her flu earlier in October. She was totally into solids and then...she won't have any of it. I have tried feeding her the food on my finger, eating from the bowl to make it seem like my food, getting different spoons, different places, different foods. Nada. (Well that isn't exactly true...she did kinda eat some apples the other night...but then the next day when she tried them again she didn't want anything to do with them.) I have also tried to make the puree thick and then just putting it on her tray to feed herself...nothing gets in her mouth. I am stumped and I can't keep up with her voracious appetite with breast milk so we are having to supplement with formula. I don't usually ask for advice on her...but I am on my knees. HELP!!! Thanks!

12 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

The Dirty Dozen 12 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products
(Info from www.thegreenguide.com)

* Antibacterials
* Coal tar colors: FD&C Blue 1, Green 3
* Diethanolamine (DEA)
*1,4-Dioxane
* Formaldehyde from quaternium 15
* Fragrance
* Hydroquinone
* Mercury and lead
* Nanoparticles
* Methyl-, propyl-, butyl- and ethyl parabens
* Petroleum distillates* Phenylenediamine (PPD)

Here are some ingredients to look for on labels and avoid:

Coal-Tar Dyes: These coloring agents can be carcinogens. Avoid cosmetics containing FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Green 3, D&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, FC&C Yellow 6.

Glycol Ethers: Some glycol ethers have been linked to reproductive-system harm or birth defects, and overexposure can also result in kidney damage and liver abnormalities. Propylene glycol is a common skin irritant.

Fragrance: This blanket term generally covers synthetic fragrance using phthalates, a family of chemical plasticizers that have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive impairments and liver damage in lab animals. And, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, fragrance is the number-one cause of allergic reactions from cosmetics.

Petrolatum: Although studies confirm that petroleum jelly, or Vaseline, is safe, it is derived from a non-renewable resource and can cause allergic skin reactions. And if you accidentally eat too much—not an impossibility if you are slathering it on your lips—you may wind up with diarrhea.

Preservatives: Parabens, including methyl-, butyl-, ethyl- and propyl-, often cause skin irritation and have been found in tissue samples from human breast tumors. Consumers should also avoid bronopol (often listed as 2-brono-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol), diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantion, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium 15, all of which can release formaldehyde, a probable human carcinogen.

Hypoallergenic: Don't be seduced by this meaningless term. The FDA states that "there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term 'hypoallergenic.'" Some products labeled "hypoallergenic," for example, contain known allergens, such as quaternium 15 and propylene glycol.


What to look for:
Look for these “goodies,” generally less irritating and less risky for health and the environment, in a variety of personal care products. (You download and print this list as part of a comprehensive cosmetics guide, available at "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly").
Annatto
Beeswax
Candelilla wax
Carmine
Carrageenan
Cornstarch
Hematite
Iron oxides
Jojoba oil
Kaolin
Pycnogenol (from pine trees)
Rice bran oil
Shea butter
Sunflower oil
Sweet almond oil
Titanium dioxide
Vitamins A,C,E

What's Good
Less-Toxic Personal-Care Products
(Caution: Although less toxic, these and other personal-care products can be harmful if ingested and should be kept out of the reach of children.)
Check out starred (*) "bad" ingredients

Antiperspirants & Deodorants

Tom's of Maine Natural Anti-perspirant & Deodorant. Contains buffered aluminum sulfate, naturally derived and less likely to irritate than aluminum chlorohydrate*. Does contain propylene glycol*, which carries a low risk of irritancy. No Tom's of Maine product contains phthalates, says spokesperson Kathleen Taggersell (http://www.tomsofmaine.com/, 800/FOR-TOMS).

Crystal Stick Body Deodorant. Simply uses only natural mineral salts and the naturally derived ammonium alum. (http://www.crystaldeodorantprotection.com/, 888/262-3884, or see the many crystal deodorants listed in The Green Guide's Deodorant Product Report).

Burt's Bees Herbal Deodorant. 99% natural; fragrance ingredients include sage and lemon oils (http://www.burtsbees.com/, 800/849-7112).

Kiss My Face Active Enzyme Stick Lavender. Scented with lavender essential oil (http://www.kissmyface.com/, 800/262-5477). Does contain propylene glycol*.

Perfumes & Fragrances
EWG's 2002 report "Not Too Pretty" found that 100% of the fragrances tested contained phthalates, even among such "natural" sounding product lines as Healing Garden. Only pure botanical fragrances can be assumed to be phthalate-free, but those with sensitive skin should still patch-test.

Aveda Pure-fumes are 100% natural (http://www.aveda.com/, 800/328-0849).

Sunrise Herbal Remedies Essential Essences contain botanicals mixed on site at a Connecticut herb farm (http://www.sunriseherbfarm.com/, 866/794-0809).

Tisserand Aromatherapy Essential Oils (through http://www.avalonnaturalproducts.com/, 800/227-5120).

Powder
Cornstarch is a nontoxic alternative to talc, but take caution: These and other fine particles/powders can, if inhaled, irritate airways and provoke asthmatic reactions.

Burt's Bees Wings of Love Facial Powder, talc-free, uses mica, calcium carbonate (chalk), kaolin (clay) and zinc oxide (http://www.burtsbees.com/, 800/849-7112).
California Baby Calming Non-Talc Powder (www.california baby.com, 877/576-2825).

Moisturizers
The products below are free of the most problematic synthetic chemicals.

Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion (http://www.burtsbees.com/, 800/849-7112).

Jason Natural Cosmetics Vitamin K Creme Plus for Skin (http://www.jason-natural.com/, 800/JASON-05).

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Complexion & Body Moisturizer (http://www.aubrey-organics.com/incoming.cfm?aff_code=1413, 800/282-7394).

Kiss My Face Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer (http://www.kissmyface.com/, 800/262-5477).

Haircare Products

Safer Shampoos & Conditioners

Avalon Organic Botanicals Therapeutic Shampoo contains the preservatives methyl-* and propylparaben*, but they pose less risk in rinse-off products (http://www.avalonnaturalproducts.com/, 800/277-5120).

Aubrey Organics Soothing Blue Camomile Shampoo (http://www.aubrey-organics.com/, 800/282-7394); their hair product line contains no SLS/SLES surfactants*.

Dr. Hauschka Herbal Hair Conditioner (http://www.drhauschka.com/, 800-247-9907).

J. R. Liggett's Old-Fashioned Bar Shampoo -- no bottle! (http://www.jrliggett.com/, 603/675-2055).

Hair Groomers: Sprays, gels and other "fixitives"

Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Lotion (http://www.drhauschka.com/, 800-247-9907).

Aveda Brilliant Hair Spray (http://www.aveda.com/, 800-328-0849).

John Masters Sweet Orange & Silk Protein Styling Gel (http://www.johnmasters.com/, 800-599-2450).

John Masters Hair Pomade (http://www.johnmasters.com/, 800-599-2450).

Hair Dyes
The safest hair-coloring products last the least amount of time:
"Semi-permanent" products, which coat the hair and wash out after several shampoos, contain no ammonia*, peroxide* or other harsh chemicals. Gray strands will come out looking like highlights, but these products can't cover an entire head of gray.
They include: Aveda color-enhancing shampoos and conditioners (http://www.aveda.com/, 800-328-0849) and Logona Kosmetik Pure Vegetable Hair Color (http://www.smallflower.com/ or from the Merz Apothecary, 800-252-0275).

"Demi-permanent" tints typically last twice as long and can cover more gray -- but they do contain peroxide.
A good choice: Clairol Natural Instincts Demi Permanent Haircolor contains no ammonia and is low in peroxide (at stores nationwide; www.clairol.,com, 800-223-5800).

Step up to permanent hair dyes and highlights and you've entered a world of harsh chemicals, including cancer-linked "coal tar" dyes. Safest bet: Avoid coal-tar ingredients and keep formulations off the scalp. As Deirdre Imus says, "Simply work with your colorist to keep the process as safe as possible."

Good Makeup
FlowerColor Eyeshadow by Ecco Bella (http://www.eccobella.com/, 877-696-2200) contains no synthetic preservatives.

Paul Penders (http://www.paulpenders.com/, 888-278-0889) makes a mascara with no tar, alcohol or petroleum-based colors or chemical drying agents.

Eyeliner from Burt's Bees (http://www.burtsbees.com/, 800-849-7112) contains only natural ingredients and also works as an eyebrow pencil.

Aubrey Organics (http://www.aubrey-organics.com/, 800-282-7394) makes Natural Lips, a 100% vegan product that can double as a blush.

Water-based nail polish that peels off (no remover necessary) is available from Color 'N Peel (colornpeel.com, 888-420-2628).

The following companies also make a full range of cleaner color cosmetics:
Dr. Hauschka (http://www.drhauschka.com/, 800-247-9907)
Gabriel (800-497-6419)
NaturElle (http://www.naturalbeauty.com/, 800-442-3936)
Real Purity (http://www.realpurity.com/, 800-253-1694)

Healthier Ingredients Roundup
Look for these "goodies" in a variety of personal-care products: Annatto, beeswax, candelilla wax, carmine, carrageenan, cornstarch, hematite, iron oxides, jojoba oil, kaolin, pycnogenol (from pine trees), rice-bran oil, shea butter, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, titanium dioxide, vitamins A,C,E.

Or make your own products. Check out this post all about making your own Natural body products . There are lots of recipes for homemade toiletries, etc...

Harmful Plastics

Know Your Plastics
by Dr. Alan Greene
Plastics are everywhere. Some are eco-friendly and appear to be very safe for kids. Most are made from non-renewable petroleum, much of which needs to be imported. Some plastics cause dangerous pollution during manufacturing, and some contain chemicals suspected of causing harm – especially to kids.
You might choose to replace plastic water bottles with a refillable stainless steel version, or to replace plastic toy blocks with wooden ones, plastic teething chews with organic cotton, or plastic jars with glass. Even so, you’ll probably find yourself using a lot of plastic.

To select the plastics that are best for your children and for the environment, get to know the easy-to-identify plastic recycling codes you’ll usually find on the underside of the bottle or packaging. Look for these numbers and symbols before you buy. The safer plastic choices are coded 1, 2, 4, and 5. Try to avoid 3, 6, and most plastics labeled with number 7.

Code 1: PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate). You’ll most commonly see this in the thin, clear plastic of bottled water (or bottled cooking oil, peanut butter, soda, etc.). It’s appears safe for single use, but these bottles should not be reused, refilled, or heated. This plastic can be recycled once into new secondary products, such as textiles, parking lot bumpers, or plastic lumber.

Code 2: HDPE (high-density polyethylene). This is the thicker, milkier or opaque plastic found in milk and water jugs, juice bottles, detergent, shampoo, and motor oil containers, and toys. Unlike #1, these are safe to refill and reuse, even though they may not look as snazzy as #1 or #7. Recyclable once into products similar to those for # 1 plastics.

Code 3: PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Found in bibs, mattress covers, squeeze bottles, cling wrap, some peanut butter jars, and a few other food and detergent containers. The manufacture of PVC releases dioxin into the environment, a potent carcinogen that accumulates in animals and in us. It may also contain phthalates, chemicals used, among other things, to soften plastics. Some phthalates are hormone disruptors that have been linked to possible reproductive problems and birth defects, and even to smaller penis size in boys. PVC workers have higher cancer rates. May be discarded at the recycling plant. AVOID #3!

Code 4: LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Found in soft, flexible plastics such as those used in grocery story bags, plastic wrap, dry cleaning bags, shopping bags, and garbage bags. One of the safer plastics – but recycle, don’t throw away. Many of these bags could be better replaced with reusable bags, especially when shopping.

Code 5: PP (polypropylene). Found in hard but flexible plastics, such as those used for ice cream and yogurt containers, drinking straws, syrup bottles, salad bar containers, and diapers. One of the safer plastics – but recycle, don’t throw away.

Code 6: PS (polystyrene). Found in rigid plastics such as opaque plastic spoons and forks, and in Styrofoam, such as those found in coffee cups and meat trays. These plastics can leach styrene, a known neurotoxin with other negative health effects. AVOID #6.

Code 7: Other (including polycarbonate, nylon, and acrylic). This is a grab bag symbol. It includes polycarbonate, an important source of the endocrine disruptor BPA, and found in most baby bottles. Polycarbonate is also common in 5-gallon water bottles, sports bottles, clear plastic cutlery, and in the lining of food and formula cans.

But code 7 also includes some of the newer, compostable green plastics, such as those made from corn, potatoes, rice, or tapioca. (I wish they would make a code 8 for these!) AVOID # 7, unless it is labeled as one of these new bio-based plastics.

Whatever plastics you choose, when microwaving food or drink, try to opt for glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic, where possible, and wax paper instead of plastic wrap.
This year two of the largest toy retailers have announced new guidelines to cut kids exposure to phthalates in their toys. Wal-Mart and Toys R Us (and their Babies R Us stores) have taken the lead in requiring independent third-party lab testing of each batch of toys imported to the US for sale in their stores to slash kids’ risk of being exposed from their toys. I hope more companies (and state and national governments) will take similar steps. In the meantime, Know Your Plastics!
Source: Healthy Child Healthy World
and Plastics 101 on The Softlanding.