Vitamin D in Food
Unlike many other vitamins, very little vitamin D can be obtained from food, as very few foods actually contain it. For this reason – and those reasons mentioned above – many leading health organizations worldwide are now recommending routine vitamin D supplementation.
However, there’s one food that’s actually a good source of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, and that’s mushrooms!
What’s more, studies have shown that a new technology designed to boost the vitamin D content of mushrooms is not only effective in doing so, it does it without adversely affecting the other nutrients that mushrooms contain.
Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that when mushrooms are exposed to UVB light (the kind that gives us a sun tan), their vitamin D content is boosted dramatically compared to those that receive no light at all. It’s also significantly higher than in those mushrooms that only receive direct sunlight.
In addition, the mushrooms exposed to direct sunlight lost some of their other valuable nutrients in the process… whereas those exposed to the UVB light did not.
This means that the new technology designed to make mushrooms an even better source of vitamin D isn’t at all detrimental to the other nutrients they contain!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Quote of the day
"It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has." - henry ward beecher
Nathan at 6 months
At 6ish months, Nathan is always so ever ready to pounce forward whilst in a pseudo crawling position, ignoring the pain on his head as he crashes on to the side of his cot. I must say he either has a high tolerance for pain or he is stubbornly insistent on getting his ways! His most recent gig includes bouncing on the spot, standing upright, pretending to whistle with his lips curling together to make shshsh sounds , flipping and pointless struggles when you attempt to hold him in a lying down position.
With the introduction of the walker, it has added an even wider dimension to his whole host of daily discoveries! He is so natural on the walker, behaving like a professional! It's Amazing how little time he took to familiarise himself and instantly got the hang of manoeuvring with speed! Moving forward and reverse with ease!
Natalie was just as excited ! she treats him like a merrygoround, wanting to spin him around and around!
Blister on finger 2
Paediatrician has confirmed that the blister was caused by contact with hot surface and she suspected nathan may have accidentally touched a hot kettle or iron. Having heard this I felt pretty upset with my helper for letting her guard down and whether intentionally or unintentionally caused the blister! Poor little boy must have cried real hard but i've been told that he did not, and despite her bathing him twice in the day, she didn't even see it.
Sigh, i cant sack her since i still require her service and kids are really close to her. Given her a stern warning not to bring the kids into the kitchen. Hopefully she'll be more careful and such an incident will never repeat itself!
Sigh, i cant sack her since i still require her service and kids are really close to her. Given her a stern warning not to bring the kids into the kitchen. Hopefully she'll be more careful and such an incident will never repeat itself!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Ducktour
Chris and i took a day off to bring natalie for the duck tour. Here's her playing london bridge with her popo whilst waiting to board her 'ducky' (as she calls it)!
... when she finally got to see the vehicle, she was rather disappointed by the mechanical design of the 'duck'. There is certainly No fluff, unlike the real yellow duckie...
But yet she listened intently to the guide who was Introducing various places of interests to the tourists..
Splash! And into the river we went!
Front row passengers got a little wet and the most exciting part was over....
She was all smiles when we got her the duck whistle which makes loud noisy quacks! Finally, she was able to make the connection between 'duck' and 'tour'!
The highlights of the trip.. A dragon boat fleet...
Picture moments with the merlion...
...esplanade...
... Gardens by the bay...
And the singapore eye...
Opps
I meant Flyer!
... when she finally got to see the vehicle, she was rather disappointed by the mechanical design of the 'duck'. There is certainly No fluff, unlike the real yellow duckie...
But yet she listened intently to the guide who was Introducing various places of interests to the tourists..
Splash! And into the river we went!
Front row passengers got a little wet and the most exciting part was over....
She was all smiles when we got her the duck whistle which makes loud noisy quacks! Finally, she was able to make the connection between 'duck' and 'tour'!
The highlights of the trip.. A dragon boat fleet...
Picture moments with the merlion...
...esplanade...
... Gardens by the bay...
And the singapore eye...
Opps
I meant Flyer!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Blister on finger
Nathan had a huge blister on his
Left index finger that looks like a second degree burn! Comes with fluid on the inside! Not sure what caused it and maid didn't even notice it! Must be really painful .... Must remember to show his pd when we visit her tomorrow!
Left index finger that looks like a second degree burn! Comes with fluid on the inside! Not sure what caused it and maid didn't even notice it! Must be really painful .... Must remember to show his pd when we visit her tomorrow!
Baby walkers
Extract from the internet... Saying walkers are bad. Have a tendecy to agree esp when i am not a stay home mum...
Many parents use baby walkers to encourage their babies' mobility. However, recent research reveals that walkers in fact delay and impedes babies' mental and physical development.
Newer-style walkers have large trays that prevent infants from seeing their moving feet.
Walkers of all sorts (new style, with trays, and old style, without trays) prevent infants from exploring and grabbing at things around them, which is critical to their early mental development.
Research from the State University in New York, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 1999, showed that babies who used walkers scored 12% lower on both physical and mental development scores than babies who never used them. Research results were that on average children who did not use walkers could sit up at 5.39 months, crawl at 5.84 months and walk at 10.82 months. Babies with the see feet walkers, could sit up at 5.99 months, crawl at 6.23 months and walk at 10.70 months. Those babies that were in walkers and could not see their feet could sit up at 6.73 months, crawl at 6.68 months and walk at 11.66 months.
Walkers give parents the false impression that the baby is safer in one of them, than left free to crawl on the floor. The truth is that walkers effectively give babies the mobility of a toddler at 5 months - abilities that neither the baby has the development for nor the parents are prepared for. Think about it, which is easier: to grab your child if it starts crawling towards the staircase, the TV set or your hot cofee, or to plunge after it while it darts towards danger at 3 feet a second?!
The baby tends to falsely believe that its world is flat: while rolling with its walker, it does not understand the concept of uneven surfaces, steps and obstacles, because the walker cannot be operated on such surfaces. However, the baby must learn that the world is definitely not a flat place to move about!
The baby using a walker is taught that it is weightless: harnessed in the safety of the walker, the baby gets the surprise of its life when, suddenly out of the walker, it finds (very painfully so) itself sprawled against the hard floor, where nothing is there to support it!
Many parents claim that walkers save them time and energy. This may be partially true. Yet again, being with your baby and learning along with it the entire world is such a gratifying experience you will have only one chance to live through!"
Many parents use baby walkers to encourage their babies' mobility. However, recent research reveals that walkers in fact delay and impedes babies' mental and physical development.
Newer-style walkers have large trays that prevent infants from seeing their moving feet.
Walkers of all sorts (new style, with trays, and old style, without trays) prevent infants from exploring and grabbing at things around them, which is critical to their early mental development.
Research from the State University in New York, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 1999, showed that babies who used walkers scored 12% lower on both physical and mental development scores than babies who never used them. Research results were that on average children who did not use walkers could sit up at 5.39 months, crawl at 5.84 months and walk at 10.82 months. Babies with the see feet walkers, could sit up at 5.99 months, crawl at 6.23 months and walk at 10.70 months. Those babies that were in walkers and could not see their feet could sit up at 6.73 months, crawl at 6.68 months and walk at 11.66 months.
Walkers give parents the false impression that the baby is safer in one of them, than left free to crawl on the floor. The truth is that walkers effectively give babies the mobility of a toddler at 5 months - abilities that neither the baby has the development for nor the parents are prepared for. Think about it, which is easier: to grab your child if it starts crawling towards the staircase, the TV set or your hot cofee, or to plunge after it while it darts towards danger at 3 feet a second?!
The baby tends to falsely believe that its world is flat: while rolling with its walker, it does not understand the concept of uneven surfaces, steps and obstacles, because the walker cannot be operated on such surfaces. However, the baby must learn that the world is definitely not a flat place to move about!
The baby using a walker is taught that it is weightless: harnessed in the safety of the walker, the baby gets the surprise of its life when, suddenly out of the walker, it finds (very painfully so) itself sprawled against the hard floor, where nothing is there to support it!
Many parents claim that walkers save them time and energy. This may be partially true. Yet again, being with your baby and learning along with it the entire world is such a gratifying experience you will have only one chance to live through!"
At the playground
Natalie and nathan shared the bike and we all had a wondrous time playing at the deck of our block.
Despite her tender age, natalie would often take on a protective role when playing with new acquaintances who seemed to be 2-3 years older then her. She would approach them and attempt to make small talk with them. Some who are friendly would return the cordiality. She would run to the slide and tell them to be careful and "i will protect you alright?"
Whereas when it's her turn on the slide she would turn to us and call for help ( she is actually not as brave as she sounds since she still needed someone to hold onto her as she slid down the slide).
Another favourite initiative of hers involves asking her new friend to bring along the water bottle into the hideout and "drink up the water to 100 ml". She would even cheers the bottle. .... Sound like a potential alcoholic huh?
When papa pretends to be the big bad wolf huffing and puffing at the hideout she would go hyper ... Screaming "no you cannot come in!" " mine is a house of bricks!
It is great fun watching the children play!
Despite her tender age, natalie would often take on a protective role when playing with new acquaintances who seemed to be 2-3 years older then her. She would approach them and attempt to make small talk with them. Some who are friendly would return the cordiality. She would run to the slide and tell them to be careful and "i will protect you alright?"
Whereas when it's her turn on the slide she would turn to us and call for help ( she is actually not as brave as she sounds since she still needed someone to hold onto her as she slid down the slide).
Another favourite initiative of hers involves asking her new friend to bring along the water bottle into the hideout and "drink up the water to 100 ml". She would even cheers the bottle. .... Sound like a potential alcoholic huh?
When papa pretends to be the big bad wolf huffing and puffing at the hideout she would go hyper ... Screaming "no you cannot come in!" " mine is a house of bricks!
It is great fun watching the children play!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Baby's first foods
Avocado - a great first food for baby, avocados burst with essential fats and nutrients that a growing baby needs. Smooth and creamy, avocados are easily digested and well tolerated by most babies!
Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado - do not cook
2. Cut “meat” out and mash with a fork
3. There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.
Bananas - bananas are another great first food for your baby. Research indicates that bananas and their mucosal properties actually help coat the tummy and help aid in digestion. Bananas are sweet, which may help baby more readily accept the first food experience.
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel a ripe banana - do not cook
2. Place banana in a food processor/food mill or blender and puree
3. You can also mash the banana in a bowl using a regular fork – heat in microwave for 25 seconds prior to mashing for extra softness
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.
Organic Brown Rice Cereal -
If you decide to make homemade baby cereal, make it with brown rice (organic if preferred). Whole grains are more healthy and nutritious for your baby (and for the whole family).
1/4 c. rice powder (organic brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
Serve warm.
Pears
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel and cut into chunks so as to avoid the little seed portion.
2. Steam gently until tender;
3. Place in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth. You may be able to just use a fork too.
4. Use the leftover cooking water if needed but Pears tend to be very runny and watery without adding liquid - Add some baby cereal to thicken if needed.
Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado - do not cook
2. Cut “meat” out and mash with a fork
3. There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.
Bananas - bananas are another great first food for your baby. Research indicates that bananas and their mucosal properties actually help coat the tummy and help aid in digestion. Bananas are sweet, which may help baby more readily accept the first food experience.
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel a ripe banana - do not cook
2. Place banana in a food processor/food mill or blender and puree
3. You can also mash the banana in a bowl using a regular fork – heat in microwave for 25 seconds prior to mashing for extra softness
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.
Organic Brown Rice Cereal -
If you decide to make homemade baby cereal, make it with brown rice (organic if preferred). Whole grains are more healthy and nutritious for your baby (and for the whole family).
1/4 c. rice powder (organic brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
Serve warm.
Pears
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel and cut into chunks so as to avoid the little seed portion.
2. Steam gently until tender;
3. Place in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth. You may be able to just use a fork too.
4. Use the leftover cooking water if needed but Pears tend to be very runny and watery without adding liquid - Add some baby cereal to thicken if needed.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Postnatal exercises
I've been told by mothers that postnatal exercise is important. Below is an extract from babycentre that speaks specifically on the kind of exercises to avoid! My gynae has advised similar and i think mothers should take heed! Opps more reasons to prevent myself from starting on a running routine erm post-postnatal... Hehe!
"It's best not to do sit-ups and aerobic exercise, such as running, aerobics or tennis, until your pelvic floor has recovered. These types of vigorous exercise can put a big strain on your pelvic floor muscles."
"It's best not to do sit-ups and aerobic exercise, such as running, aerobics or tennis, until your pelvic floor has recovered. These types of vigorous exercise can put a big strain on your pelvic floor muscles."
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Picture of daddy
Daddy is in shanghai this week and natalie has decided draw a portrait of him... Here's little artist at work...
It looked just like daddy!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It looked just like daddy!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Solids at 6 mths
Most paediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is sitting with minimal support before starting on solid foods.
At his 6th month, We could tell that nathan is gaining more neck muscular control and he displays a strong interest in food, making the occasional mouth opening and closing actions. He also appears to be hungry all the time, well it has been every hour since birth and though volume of milk feeds went up, it didn't seem sufficient for him. He would wake up in the middle of the night screaming for food.
Nathan would also stare and wave his arms frantically as he watches me having my dinner. He would reach out and grab my plate or cutlery or simply try reaching for food in his own ways.
With all the various hints, i have decided to start him on solids! And yesterday he had his first scoop of organic rice cereal with milk! According to popo he finished his meal greedily and was all smiles as he licked on the spoon! Too bad there was no photo of this candid moment! How i wish i was there to feed him...
At his 6th month, We could tell that nathan is gaining more neck muscular control and he displays a strong interest in food, making the occasional mouth opening and closing actions. He also appears to be hungry all the time, well it has been every hour since birth and though volume of milk feeds went up, it didn't seem sufficient for him. He would wake up in the middle of the night screaming for food.
Nathan would also stare and wave his arms frantically as he watches me having my dinner. He would reach out and grab my plate or cutlery or simply try reaching for food in his own ways.
With all the various hints, i have decided to start him on solids! And yesterday he had his first scoop of organic rice cereal with milk! According to popo he finished his meal greedily and was all smiles as he licked on the spoon! Too bad there was no photo of this candid moment! How i wish i was there to feed him...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Nathan & bumbo
Nathan loves the bumbo seat! It gives him the freedom to bang his little hands on the table as though its a drum. And mummy loves the fact that i dont have to keep carrying him and finally get some face to face contact!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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