How to remove gum from hair...

Who doesn't love a before and after picture.  Unfortunately, I don't have one, and hope a reader will forward the photos after they've tried this trick.

Peanut butter!*  Yep, just slather some on the gum, work it in and the gum will slide off after a few minutes.

Tested just yesterday on an eight year old.  (The peanut butter was "organic" of course.)

*If you or your loved one has a peanut allergy please do not use peanut butter.

Thank you to all the aunts, neighbors, friends, and millions of mothers without children who care for, comfort and encourage all God's children - Happy Mother's Day!

Robyn O'Brien | TEDxAustin 2011

Robyn O'Brien and her book, "The Unhealthy Truth", continue to reveal "the alarming relationship between the manipulation of our food and both the increase in dangerous allergies in our children as well as the increase in cancers in our families—and offers a road map to healthy living."   She is an inspiration.

St. Gabriel Organics Milky Spore Japanese Beetle Grub Control

Heading in to the second year after applying St. Gabriel Organics Milky Spore Grub Control and the lawn looks fantastic.  There were zero Japanese beetles flying in to the front porch light at night last summer so I took that as a sign that things were under control.  (Three neighbors had their lawns completely ruined and had to reseed.)

My neighbor from Italy also experienced breast cancer and won't apply any chemicals to her lawn. She told me about this product when I commented on how great her lawn looks.

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Ginger Miso Spaghetti Squash - recipe by the Organic Dietitian

Fantastic recipe for Ginger Miso Spaghetti Squash by the Organic Dietitian.  

Plus, it's simple, fast, frugal and delicious.

Ginger Miso Spaghetti Squash

Grilled Boneless Leg of Lamb with Marinade

This recipe was given to me by a friend and I've been making the grilled leg of lamb for the past few holidays.  Saves room in the oven by grilling outside and is delicious. Always intend to take a picture of the finished product and always forget.

Posting the recipe now (and hopefully will remember to post pictures of the final product tomorrow.)

1  2 to 4 lb leg of lamb (boned and butterflied) 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 thick



Marinade:

2 garlic clove crushed
1/8 cup red wine
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 bay leaf

Mix marinade ingredients together and pour over leg of lamb in large shallow glass or any non metal pan. Turn to coat all sides.  Prior to grilling - leave at room temperature for one to two hours turning several times.  Grill over hot coals but not flaming.  I prefer to sear on the fat side and place off the hot coals just to the side to roast more slowly.   Turning the meat on the same side as needed to cook evenly but this really does not rquire alot of work.  Bringing the meat to room temperature is key. (You can even marinade overnight.)   Grill for 12-15 minutes per side.

Happy Easter to you and yours!

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese dumps the junk ...

Great article in the Huffington Post on the Grassroots Movement that had Kraft Macaroni & Cheese #dumpthejunk

How a Grassroots Movement Convinced Kraft to Drop Artificial Dyes

The SuperMom101 Show featured an episode on this issue a while back:

Best health always,
SuperMom-in-training

Court: GMA unlawfully hid donors’ identities from public

Photo thanks to Massachusetts Right to Know

Grocery Manufacturer's Association (GMA) caught making $11M in illegal campaign contributions. Seems that #Cambell'sSoup was ahead of the curve so to speak.  Smart PR move.

As I tell our children, "You are who you hang around with." So, guess what Congress - your Corporate friends got caught and you're now part of the problem and not the solution if these are your choice in friends.  

Thank you Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson for exposing the truth.   Congress needs to know that we consumers are well aware of the dirty tricks their Corporate friends are now playing and when you get caught there are consequences.  

Court: GMA unlawfully hid donors’ identities from public:

The court also found: “There is one, and only one, reasonable inference that can be drawn from the facts before this court: that the GMA intentionally took steps to create and then hide the true source of the funds in the DOB account from the voting public of Washington State.”

In 2013, the top 10 contributors to GMA’s Defense of Brands account and their contributions (as of 12/3/13) were:

1. PepsiCo: $2.696 million
2. Nestle USA, Inc.: $1.751 million
3. The Coca-Cola Company: $1.742 million
4. General Mills: $996,000
5. ConAgra: $949,000
6. Campbell Soup: $441,000
7. The Hershey Company: $413,000
8. J.M. Smucker: $401,000
9. Kellogg: $369,000
10. Land O’Lakes: $332,000

- See more at: http://atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/court-gma-unlawfully-hid-donors-identities-public#sthash.fsrm7856.dpuf

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Truth (sorta-kinda-maybe) in Product Packaging (Advertising) and Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware... you need an advanced science degree)

"No High Fructose Corn Syrup" (HFCS) means
"Fructose" which is HFCS-90

• Package advertises: "No High Fructose Corn Syrup) #HFCS
• Ingredient lists: "Fructose"*
• Called #GeneralMills customer service: 1-800-248-7310
• Fructose" is a "sugar naturally occurring from fruit" - Customer Service
• Guess what's considered a fruit? #GMO Corn Kernel
• Called back customer service and asked if the fructose* comes from corn. On hold for 15 minutes. She said she needs to investigate further but yes, the fructose can come from corn.
• *Definition of "fructose" from Corn Refiner's Association: A third [high fructose corn syrup] product, HFCS-90, is sometimes used in natural and “light” foods, where very little [HFCS] is needed to provide sweetness. Syrups with 90% fructose will not state high fructose corn syrup on the label, they will state “fructose” or “fructose syrup.” High Fructose Corn Syrups - Corn Refiners Association

Fructose* is HFCS-90 and manufactured from the fruit
of a GMO Corn Kernel

Study Links Cosmetics Use to Altered Body Chemistry

According to the article: After switching products for just three days, the girls showed a 27 to 45 percent reduction in levels of several chemicals – called phthalates, parabens, triclosan and oxybenzone – in their urine.  

“We don’t know what the long-term health effects of exposing our bodies to these chemicals are, but there’s reason to be concerned,” said the study’s lead author, Kim Harley, a reproductive epidemiologist. 

Study Links Cosmetics Use to Altered Body Chemistry

German beer purity under the microscope as weedkiller found

Excerpts from article: "Beer is big business in Germany, famous for the 1516 purity law that guides beer-making. The Munich institute, a non-governmental body, found the highest level of glyphosate concentration in Hasseroeder Pils, made by Anheuser-Busch ..."

Beer is big business in Germany,
famous for the 1516 purity law that guides beer-making.

Often asked for recipes and resources and here's a great one

American Institute for Cancer Research fosters research on diet and cancer prevention and educates the public about ... they also have great recipes and resources.

Great Recipes and Resources

Wishing you best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Chocolate Clusters - Sweet Treats Not Just for Valentine's Day (Dairy and Gluten Free)

Chocolate Clusters
(dairy free)

This is our go to (dairy free) treat that's fast, easy and delicious.

Only four simple ingredients:

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chocolate semi-sweet (dairy free) chips
1 cup Roasted and Unsalted Almonds
1 cup raisins or cranberries

Melt semi sweet chocolate chips over low heat with the olive oil.  Stirring constantly so the chocolate melts slowly and becomes runny.  Once chocolate is melted, remove from heat and stir in almonds and raisins.   Once almonds and raisins are coated with the melted chocolate, place by large spoonfuls on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  (The wax paper helps them from sticking but is not critical - especially if it's a metal cookie sheet.)  Place in refrigerator for a half hour.

Be sure to have napkins on hand when you enjoy!

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Photos by Lisa Byrne