New Ottawa Mom - Vanessa Riddell Archive

Protecting You and Your Children during Flu Season!

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:47:50 -0800

It’s that time of year again - the flu season. The flu is easily spread by coughing and sneezing and children’s play areas are the most virus laden areas in our cities! Most parents are aware of this first hand and are amazed at how often they and they’re children are sick.

So how can we protect ourselves from this and minimize the damage?

Many people get the flu shot. It has been reported this year that the flu shot will only be 50% effective. There are more than 200 different viruses that cause colds and flu, and the strains of these viruses are constantly changing. Everyone should make up their own mind on the issue of vaccines - but I put my money on strengthening the immune system - to help the body fend of the viruses on their own (which is essentially what a vaccine does).

Children & Allergies

Fri, 04 May 2007 08:39:39 -0700

Childhood allergies are all too common these days. The symptoms of allergies range from uncomfortable side effects to very serious health risks like anaphylactic shock. Some of the symptoms of food allergies are; acne asthma colitis fatigue food cravings headaches insomnia obesity sinus problems unexplained dramatic weight gain or loss anemia bed-wetting diarrhea dizzy spells excessive drooling dark, puffy eyes hearing loss or noises in the ear hyperactivity learning disabilities chronic runny nose eczema phobias red circles on the cheeks repeated colds or ear infections

If your child has any of these symptoms you may want to check and see if they are allergic to any of the foods they get on a regular basis. This can be done by giving them an allergy test or proceeding with a rotation and elimination diet. It is strongly advised that you do see a competent health care advisor as all children are unique and their allergies can be quite specific. In addition allergies tend to get worse if not addressed.

Happy Spring New Ottawa Mom’s! ~Menu ideas by Vanessa Riddell

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:45:38 -0700

It’s been a long winter. Depending on what stage you’re in - new born, 1st, second or third child! winter’s can be long as we are often stuck at home. With the official start of spring last week and the warmer weather it’s time to enjoy more of the outdoors again. This is the season for all things green. The first shoots of leafy green vegetables, which grow fast, are traditionally what are eaten at this time of year. It is also traditionally a great time of year, because of the warmer weather and abundance of green leafy vegetables, for cleansing. But remember if you are nursing or pregnant you should not do a cleanse. If you have just stopped nursing however, cleansing can be extremely revitalizing now.

Offending foods for breastfeeding mothers

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 09:07:45 -0700

Q: Could you please tell me the offending foods for breast feeding mothers that may increase possible allergies in babies? Also, are there foods I should be staying away from while breastfeeding?
~ Heather Thom

A:Hi Heather,
Well, the first thing that comes to mind is: Are you allergic to any foods or is the father allergic to any foods? An allergic reaction to a particular food from the mother while nursing may influence and create allergies in the child. A predisposition in the childs DNA (inherited from the father or mother) may also play a role. The most likey offenders, i.e. the foods that cause allergies or even just intolerances most often are: dairy, eggs, wheat, corn, pork, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, berries, nuts, spices, citrus fruit and juices and chocolate.

Losing Weight by Increasing One's Basal Metabolic Rate

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:18:32 -0800

Your not pregnant anymore, and you want to shed some of those pounds.
Remember, if your nursing a lot of the excess weight will naturally come off. Either way though, if you want to lose weight without “dieting” but instead focusing on a whole foods diet and exercise than read on.

The key to shedding those pounds is basal metabolism because a high Basal Metabolic Rate helps shed pounds. The BMR refers to the energy it takes a body to maintain normal body processes such as heart beat, breathing, digestion, etc. The BMR varies according to ones gender, activity level, health and genetics, but we can all maximize our potential. Those who are overweight struggle with a lower BMR. Increasing ones BMR takes time at the beginning but it gets easier. Here are 4 ways a person can begin to increase their BMR.

10 EASY STEPS AT THE GROCERY STORE

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 07:01:48 -0800

Don’t grocery shop hungry!
Have a list ready of what you want to buy. To do this you need a basic plan of what you are going to eat that week. Cookbooks can help. SAVING DINNER, by Leanne Ely is great. It gives you a week’s worth of menus along with its shopping list.
Buy organic when you can. It does make a difference. The way our food is being produced right now is abysmal. The only way we can fight this is through our buying power. If you would like some more information on farms where you could buy directly, contact the Canadian Organic Growers – Ottawa Chapter at (613) 244-4000, or visit their web site at www.cog.ca

Allergies

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 09:12:11 -0700

Common foods that cause allergies and intolerances include wheat, dairy foods, sugar, citrus fruit, chocolate, soy, corn, and nuts. But it can be any food. The most likely offender is often something that is frequently consumed. Foods that cause a delayed response, often cause an overall feeling of “just not right” with a few niggling symptoms present most of the time.

Symptoms can appear as earaches, recurrent ear infections, itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma, depression, hyperactivity, insomnia, stuttering, hair loss, itchy skin, eczema, apathy, generalized aches and pains, cravings, excessive weight and resistance to diet change among many more.

MILK

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:03:38 -0700

Babies do best when raised on breast milk. Studies show that infants who receive mother's milk (for at least the first six months) are less prone to disease throughout life and have stronger immune systems. It is also cheap and easy!

But sometimes due to insufficient milk production, illness, emotional upset, chemical toxicity or medications some babies are given milk based or soy based formulas.

The best way of supplementing an infants diet when breast milk is not available (either directly from the mother or through pumping breast milk) is a wet nurse, which is another woman who can provide breast milk. The second best option is organic goat's milk. The last option is highest quality milk replacement formula.

THE BEST OF FATS

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:56:58 -0700

There has been a lot of media reports lately on the damage that Trans Fats can cause. Trans fats are vegetable fats that have been turned into solid mass through hydrogenation, like margarine. Vegetable fats normally are liquid at room temperature. These fats have had their molecular make-up changed during hydrogenation, causing them to be rancid. Rancidity causes free radicals in the body when ingested. The reason you don’t want this is because free radicals age the body at a rapid rate and contribute to cancer.

But using animal fats or “saturated” fat, which is solid at room temperature, isn’t the solution either. I think most of us realize that too much animal fat isn’t healthy. It contributes to cardiovascular disease as well as obesity which itself brings a whole host of illnesses to the table. These fats can be heated at high levels however, without causing rancidity.

A Balanced Diet, Supplementation and Things to Avoid

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:34:55 -0700

By Vanessa Riddell
Congratulations on becoming a parent. The most rewarding and at times taxing job, but oh so worth it! We are leading the next generation into adulthood and this job carries many responsibilities. I salute you as a fellow parent!

I am very excited to be joining NewOttawaMom.com in writing a monthly column and partaking in a Q & A for those mum's needing nutritional advice. I am also a practicing Registered Nutritional Consultant for those interested in more specific information.

The most common question I hear is "What do I eat to offer myself the best nutrition possible for nursing, while at the same time losing all the pregnancy weight that I have gained." Three points need to be addressed; a balanced diet, supplementation and things to avoid.