HaleMom.Com

How better to say happy Halloween than a pic of my fave pup dressed especially for the hale mom readers out there…happy howl-oween!

It makes me sick to think about all the perverts in the world that are ready to exploit and harm children. A chilling story I heard on the news today hit home as an indictment was made in the area where I live. A man arrested in July for child pornography on his home computer was hired on as an elementary school teacher in Kyle, Texas, but resigned for “personal” reasons.

A sick and truly demented person. As a new mom, it’s no wonder I’m considering homeschooling my baby girl. A place where you believe your child will be in good hands, is where potential pedophiles and sickos have a field day. I want my daughter to be safe and not be the victim of some weirdo’s sick fantasies. I’m glad this man was caught and arrested. It is unacceptable for this behavior to go unchecked, and thank God he wasn’t able to harm any children or do whatever it is that he’s into. Keep your little ones safe, and always pay attention to those that take too much of a special interest in your child. It’s not healthy for a child to have to deal with the shock of a sexual molestation or any sexual behavior.  May you and your families stay safe, hearty, and hale!

Stress is a very enigmatic factor that can play a huge role in life. Sometimes stress can be so overwhelming that it is likely to subconsciously invoke certain behaviors to counteract the stress, but the reactions can have detrimental effects on other aspects of health. It is even possible for the body to display physical symptoms in relation to stress, and a person may not realize that it is not a physical issue, but a symptom of stress.

Stress is very powerful in the body that the body actually works to protect the most vital bodily functions and can shut down, or scale back, thus causing ailments that can simply be avoided by destressing the body and putting the body in a state of ease.

Do you know the “fight or flight” reaction? Simply put, it is the body’s physiological response to a factor that poses risk or harm. The reaction the body has, is a sudden rush of endorphins, one which most people know, adrenaline. Today, we normally aren’t put into situations that invoke this reaction for our survival, like our early ancestors, but we are faced with “stress” that invokes a similar reaction from the body. This response from the body is not to cause harm, but to help us get out of a bad situation quickly, as if we were having to run for our lives from a ferocious tiger looking for it’s next meal. The body will shut down any unnecessary functions to facilitate faster breathing, and better muscle reactions. In the case of stress, the shutting down of necessary body functions occurs in just the same way and causes our bodies to scale down the functions that are running because of the endorphines coursing through the body. Strange concept, but it’s true. To deal with stressful situations, it is necessary to rid the body of excess endorphines, so the best bet is to do physical activity to trick your body into thinking that the battle for survival is won, and you can clear your mind to find the best solution to your problem(s). Since most normally aren’t face with situations where the “fight or flight” respnse is needed, it’s not harmful to resort to physical activity to combat stress and keep physical and emotional disturbances at bay. However, this is informaion is not intended to replace the care of a licensed physician, and you should see a doctor if any problems are persistent.

Do you resort to physical activities to combat stress? Are there any other tips you have to fight stress?

May you and your family continue to be hearty and hale!
Thanks!

When it comes down to it, when I’m shopping at the grocery store, I don’t usually take a look at the labels of the things that I’m putting in the cart.  I try not to get any processed foods, but sometimes quick meals are a rescue plan when daddy and mommy are just too tired to make anything for dinner.  When looking at the labels to the foods that you buy, do you even know that the labels mean?  Do you know how to decode the “Nutrition Facts” when you’re in a rush to get the grocery shopping done and on to the next errand of the day?

I found a great article that I thought everyone might enjoy on how to decode the nutritional fact labels that are required to be on packages that are not fresh meats or produce.

The best way to avoid having to decode these types of labels is to get fresh fruits and vegetables (frozen are a good second option if you don’t have the time to pick out your produce,) whole grains and legumes, as well as fresh meats.  The confusion comes into play when trying to figure out what to get when choosing foods that are not fresh and in sealed bags or containers.  I recently learned that some grocery stores nationwide are starting to implement a rating system to help busy shoppers find the best options for them and their families.

Anyhow, do you shop based off the labels you find on the items on your grocery store items, or do you wonder what they’re there for, and what they mean?  Have you seen a rating system in your grocery store?  Do you care what’s on the label?  Do you think it should be something that is required to be on all packaging?  I hope this information helps keep your family hearty and hale!

If only I could be the perfect mom

I’d sing and work all day long;

not a worry in the world.

with many stories to be told,

and many songs to be sang,

and all the friends to be rang.

If only I were the perfect mom

I’d have dinner ready every time

daddy comes home from work

and the house is all in line

The baby is bathed and fed

and in time ready for bed.

No circles under the eyes

and no time for sighs

while singing lullabies.

I would have it all ready

and even keep my hand steady.

Oh yes what a day that would be

when I would be the perfect mom.

~ Hale Mom