The Talking Walnut » The Healthy Walnut

B.R.A.T. in the best possible sense

Pamela Brill — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:28:01 +0000

When my daughter returns to school next week, I’ll be cringing in anticipation over the sign of the first virus she picks up. Yes, it’s inevitable as turkey on Thanksgiving…but I don’t relish the thought of her losing her lunch all over the floor, if you know what I mean. My sister, who happens to be an internist, has drilled the B.R.A.T. method for curing an upset stomach–Bananas, Applesauce, Rice and Toast repertoire we’ve come to know and love. But when you have extra picky eaters like we do at my house, it helps to have another more palatable solution on hand. Organic B.R.A.T. drinks are a convenient way to ease upset tummies back into the land of the living. These feel better drinks come in yummy flavors like cinnamon toast and chocolate honey (and of course, original and vanilla for the more cautious consumers), and have more appeal than a dry piece of white bread or mashed up fruit. We like that you can simply pour a glass or add it to cereal or oatmeal for a more substantial energy booster. Pretty good stuff for when it feels like you’re picking yourself up off the floor.

In a Nutshell: No need to break out the rice cooker or chop up a old banana into itty bitty pieces (how fun!). These drinkable stomach soothers will help kids and grown-ups get their tummies back on track.

look, mom, no cavities!

Pamela Brill — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:11:13 +0000

My 2-year-old takes to her Thomas the Tank Engine toothpaste like a fish takes to water. Too bad brushing her teeth is more like pulling teeth. She spends more of her time sucking on the bristles than anything else. And since her last few baby teeth appear to be coming in, gnawing on her toothbrush has taken on even greater pleasure. How I wish we’d gotten our hands–and her mouth–on the NUK Healthy Start sooner. The training toothbrush set has everything you need to get started practicing good oral hygiene: a cleaning trainer to gently massage and soothe her achy gums, a brushing trainer for cleaning her teeth, and a protective ring that limits just how far she can push the brush into her mouth. Translation: less sucking, more brushing.You’ll like that these tools are BPA-free, too.

In a Nutshell: Brush up on practicing good oral hygiene for your little one. She’ll thank you later for fewer cavities now.

homegrown eating

Pamela Brill — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:00:16 +0000

If it’s true that kids eat what they make, then I’m making an effort to get my 6-year-old on the right track. This afternoon, we made homemade meatballs and this summer, we’ll be reaping the benefit of fresh vegetables from our garden. If you had ‘gardening with the kids’ on your to-do list and realize that you may not get around to it, then consider a short-cut. Amber’s Garden Ready-to-Plant Vegetable Garden Mats are the next best thing to gardening from scratch, and require minimal effort. These mats already have the seeds “planted” in them–simply place in a sunny spot, cover with top soil and add water. You may begin to see veggies sprout in as little as 3-5 days and, if you take proper care of them, they’ll yield fresh produce all season long. That’s plenty of good stuff to “sneak” into our batch of tomato sauce (shhh…just don’t tell my daughter). Amber’s Garden Kits come in a variety of veggies, including Asian, Herb and Summer Crop.

In a Nutshell: Teach your kids that veggies don’t actually come from a can in a fun, engaging way. This kits are so kid-friendly, even preschoolers can lend a hand.

no grubby hands

Pamela Brill — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:09:51 +0000

If there is ever a season for wipes, it’s summer. Think ice pop-stained faced, sticky sunscreen lotion fingers (those are yours), sandy feet…you get the picture. Not that you need an excuse, but sometimes I think about just how many wipes I go through that don’t involve diaper changes, and I feel pangs of mommy guilt. With Jackson Reece Soothing Herbal Baby Wipes, I can breathe a bit easier. This brand is better for the environment because it’s biodegradable and made with organic ingredients that are free of alcohol, chlorine and other harsh substances. In a pinch, these wipes are great as a cooling balm for sunburned skin–an inevitable summertime occurrence. Yes, that mommy guilt can follow me everywhere…

In a Nutshell: If you’re making an effort to go green, this brand of wipes will make you feel at one with nature.

can’t touch this

Pamela Brill — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:02:57 +0000

My 6-year-old has her annual check-up in a few weeks, and I know it’ll be hellish. Forget the nurse telling her that checking her blood pressure is like “getting a hug;” she’s too smart for that. And to this day, taking her temperature is still a big deal that requires a 5-minute explanation (and still she’s not buying it). Maybe that why I’m in awe over the Safety 1st ProGrade No Touch Thermometer, a minimally invasive medicine cabinet must-have. It doesn’t have to be put in her ear or her backside (heaven forbid–remember those?), but rather above her forehead and it gives a reading in a mere second. How do you know you’re doing it correctly? There’s an indicator that flashes and beeps when the thermometer is positioned correctly. What’s extra special about this model is that it has a life beyond the bedroom and into the kitchen and bathroom. Believe it or not, you can use the No Touch to gauge the temperature of your bath water, formula or food, too.

In a Nutshell: A multitasking thermometer? Now that’s hot…

H2–whoa!

Pamela Brill — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:25:19 +0000

There’s no denying it: Your child will undoubtedly get thirsty at some point today. And we all know how much kids prefer to get hyped up on sugary sweet libations than the stuff that does a body good. Well, how about the stuff that does a brain good? The folks at Wat-Aah! are on to something. This line of water that contains no sugar, calories or coloring is smartly packaged in four functional varieties–bones, brain, energy and body–designed to not only quench thirsts, but satisfy the nagging “why do I have to drink water?” query. We love that it comes in a cup holder-friendly, whopping 16.9-oz. recyclable bottle–perfect for the car ride to soccer practice.

In a Nutshell: You can lead a kid to water, but you can’t make him drink it. Finally, a line that makes it cool to drink up.

Bonus: Wat-Aah is sponsoring the 2010 New York International Children’s Film Festival, being held from Feb. 26-March 21. To enter to win a pair of tickets to a selected showing, follow Wat-Aah on Twitter or visit Wat-Aah’s blog. Winners will be announced on Friday, Feb. 26. Good luck!

some-bunny needs to brush her teeth

Pamela Brill — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:39:00 +0000

When my older daughter’s first teeth came in, I was a bit perplexed by how to clean them properly. Using my bare finger? Yuck! That strange-looking rubber thimble with bristles that came in her grooming kit? No, thanks…MAM has come out with an adorable first teeth cleaner that will make the experience pleasant for the both of you. The Oral Care Rabbit is a bunny-shaped soft cloth that gets the job done–and distracts your baby enough to get it done quickly and effectively. Just slip your index finger inside one of the bunny’s ears and brush away. You can either wet it as you would a washcloth, or keep it dry. And if your little bunny happens to be teething, you can try massaging her sore gums for some much-needed relief. Carrots are optional.

In a Nutshell: A product to promote oral hygiene for your little one? We’re all ears…