MOMMY DIARIES (Cleaning Up Our Act – Literally) Carmen Brown

First of all I would like to say HAPPY EARTH MONTH!!! Thank you to everyone who is making a difference one step at a time!

Yesterday I caught part of the Oprah show. She did a special on Earth Day. WOW…it really opened up my eyes big time. She spoke with an activist about how much trash is dumped into the ocean. If you can take just a few moments out of your day, PLEASE go to oprah.com and read the story ‘Do you really know where your trash is going?’ It’s under the heading ‘IT’S EASY BEING GREEN’. There are multiple stories that all have great informative information, but this is SHOCKING. Currently scientists believe the world’s largest garbage dump is not on land… it’s in the Pacific Ocean. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which stretches from the coast of California to Japan… estimated to be twice the size of Texas. It is absolutely disgusting. A catch 22, because we are the ones who produce and consume so much… so MUCH!

It makes me sad, mad and guilty all at the same time. I really am on the path to changing my ways EVEN MORE today. There were many pictures and video on the show and I think there are some pictures on the website. The saddest part of the waste land is the poor animals that are living without choice in this environment. One pelican (I think it was a pelican) had died and when it was cut open, it had a cigarette lighter in his stomach along with other trash. It also showed other fish and animals caught in nets and trying to eat what they believe is food, but is really toxic material and they do not know the difference. Ultimately the toxic waste/plastic that ends up in the ocean… then is absorbed into the water, fish and animals… THEN ends up back on our plates. Think about it.

After reading the article I guarantee you it WILL change the way you view your habits. It WILL make you more conscious about what to do with waste and certain things you should avoid. This is not hard, it’s very EASY… do not be overwhelmed… one step at a time. It was so disturbing to look at all the waste PILED up and the long stretches it covered. We are talking about the size of Texas doubled. You HAVE to visit her website… oprah.com.

On that note, please read…please educate yourself…and MAKE IT A GOOD ONE! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Ways to Keep the ‘C’ Word Away) Carmen Brown

I’m always interested in reading articles and researching different foods/vitamins that can help your body stay strong and healthy. The News & Record had a great article on cancer and ways to prevent and treat cancer.

Green Tea never fails. It has always been linked to good health and a great way to detoxify your body. Also interesting enough, mushrooms have a super power. They contain lentinan - a compound that stimulates the immune system, which in turn can slow tumor growth. Pretty cool huh! There’s nothing like making a huge stir fry with a bunch of mushrooms. Yummmm….As far as green tea goes, it is recommended to drink 2 to 3 glasses of green tea a day. Drink up!

As always, make it a good one. Carmen Brown

All about Carmen

Here are some interesting facts about myself that my best friend told me I should share with you guys. I thought these things were completely normal, but it apparently she thought were kind of odd!

First off, I would rather go out for wings and a cold beer than eating in an expensive fru-fru fine dining. (she says I’m like a dude?...I beg to differ) Also, I have an unhealthy obsession with Chef Ramsey from Hell’s Kitchen (ahhhh…he is sooooo hot!) I don’t like my drinks filled all the way to the rim. As far as shopping goes, I can only go for 2 hours or less (everything starts looking the same and I get a headache). I wash my hands over 15 times a day… not OCD… just feel like that makes my world a little cleaner. Ok, Just a couple of things that I find normal.

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Can I Take a Shower?) Carmen Brown

Ok – Parents, especially my mommy’s out there, do you find it hard these days to take a shower or do anything without taking your eyes off your little one??? My little man is into sooooo much, and the world is his playground as he learns more and more... like how to climb up on everything! Sometimes it can be really hard to get anything done at this age (9 months old), so you just go with the flow. I am getting used to taking my showers and house work after he goes to bed. I know most parents put their babies to bed around 7 o’clock or so, but Tyson does not go to bed until 9 o’clock. He is a late night baby. I have tried everything to push his bedtime back, but his clock says 9. My entire family has always been nocturnal.

Anyway, he is napping twice a day and that works well. He will nap for an hour or an hour and a half. By the time I get home, I am more than happy to nap with him and do not feel guilty about it at all. I used to feel guilty, like I had to get everything done when he naps. Now, not so much…I fall asleep on demand! It’s a whole new world these days.

Oprah had a really good show yesterday about true confessions from moms. Some of the comments were so funny. One woman did not want to pull over to go to the bathroom because her two children were sleeping in the back, so she grabbed a diaper out of the diaper bag, and well, you can use your imagination! Ha-Ha!!!

As always, make it a good one. Carmen