Our latest update on our past blog posts on the dangers associated with using Morcellation as an option for hysterectomies: Johnson & Johnson has officially requested that all medical practices utilizing their morcellators no longer do so, and they're suspending sales on all of the devices. This comes after the FDA finding that the procedure does in fact pose a serious risk of spreading unknown cancer cells.
Just as a brief catch up, the whole issue came to light this past February when Amy Reed, a Boston doctor who had a laparoscopic hysterectomy to end bleeding from fibroids (benign growths on her uterus). She had tested negative for cancer before the procedure, but the form that was residing in her uterus was rare and didn’t appear on the tests. The morcellation spread the cancer throughout her body and she now has stage 4 cancer, with an 85% chance of death within the next 5 years. About 1 in every 400 surgeries have had a similar outcome.
Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday it is conducting a worldwide withdrawal of all its morcellators still on the market. The company cited an FDA meeting earlier this month that reinforced "the complexity of this issue." The FDA itself is currently weighing regulatory actions to reduce the risk of cancer spread before ever condoning the use of the technique for similar procedures in the future.
I'm far from an "anti-pill" advocate. I take an occasional ibuprofen (or more) as needed, but I try to watch what I take because I know for every pro there's always a con. I'm especially leery when it comes to acetaminophen, which seems to be in every cough syrup and headache reliever known to man. Why? Because I learned long ago (after not knowing and putting myself at risk for years) that there are conditions that can turn it toxic in your body and quickly lead to severe liver damage. For example, anything over the recommended daily allowance (usually exceeding unknowingly because many cold/flu/allergy medications also contain acetaminophen) turns it toxic, as well as combining it with alcohol, even if taken 12 hours before consuming. Here are new findings suggesting that for at least back pain it may be doing you no good in the first place!
If you're taking acetaminophen (the main active pain reliever in Tylenol and Excedrin) for back pain it may be of no use. A new study was recently publish out of Australia putting acetaminophen up against mother nature to see which relieved the pain first: popping a couple pills or waiting for the pain to naturally subside.
For the study, researchers worked with a group of 1,643 patients who experience acute lower back pain. The subjects were broken up into three groups: 1 group took six 665mg tabs of acetaminophen and two placebos a day, 1 group took six placebo tabs and two 500mg tabs of acetaminophen a day, and 1 group took all placebos tabs.
The study authors found no difference in recovery time across all three groups, suggesting that acetaminophen absolutely no effect on lower back pain.
It just makes your think twice before grabbing over the counter medication for help. Consult with your doctor for the best pain management options for you (especially if you experience long, lasting back pains that you haven't discussed/disclosed to your doctor yet!).
I really wanted to share this flyer that I received from one of our awesome vendors, Behr's Baby & Kids Furniture. They're offering a FREE infant CPR workshop next week. If you are interested in attending, please contact Behr's at (516) 541-2347, or email Behr's at [email protected].
I love trying new things in the kitchen, especially when it involved anything sweet. I’m a total coward when it comes to canning, though. I mean, I know it should be simple physics, and there are easy tutorials that help you cheat. But still…I’m too scared to risk it! Since tis the season of amazing fruit, I decided to look and see if I could find a no-can recipe for jam. I happened upon this bad boy and knew I had to share! I’m not afraid to admit that I’m horrible with fruit butters. If they make it into my house it’s a guarantee that they won’t be there for long. This recipe includes not only the fresh blueberry you can find easily this time of year, but no sugar, making in a healthier breakfast, snack, or dessert option!
All you’ll need are:
2 ½ cups of blueberries (you can use thawed frozen ones, too, for a year round recipe!)
1 tablespoon of water
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons of arrowroot powder (Bob’s Red Mill carries it, so you should be able to find in most any whole food section, or order online – you won’t regret it! It’s a natural thickening agent that lets you exclude sugar or gelatin)
You’ll need a food processor or blender to start. You’ll begin with either step A or B, and then follow the remaining steps for either.
A. If your using thawed blueberries, toss them in the blender/processor to puree. Whisk together your water, lemon juice, and arrowroot in a saucepan before adding your blueberry puree.
B. If you’re working with fresh blueberries, first combine then in a saucepan with your other ingredients. Cook them for about 5 minutes to soften the blueberries, and then food process them into a puree, before returning it to your sauce pan.
Bring your mixture to a boil slowly over a medium heat, stirring frequently. Next, simmer until it thickens: for roughly 25 minutes. You will know it’s about done once you’re able to run a spoon through it, creating a trench that doesn't immediately refill.
Once you've reached that thickness return your mixture to your blender again and process it smooth once more. Return it to the saucepan and allow it to cool.
The longer it cools the thicker it will get. If it becomes too thick just stir in a little water. If it doesn't seem thick enough return it to heat for a while longer. Once done your butter should fit perfectly into an 8oz mason jar, and should be stored in the refrigerator at all times.
(Image Source)
I’m obsessed with finding ways to “multi-purpose” the items that are already regular household essential, especially anything that can be added to my natural cleanser arsenal (case in point: my obsession with apple cider vinegar). One such kitchen essential “power tool” is baking soda! Now we already know that many toothpastes and detergents already boast that they have baking soda as one of their main active ingredients, but you can skip the middle man and use the real deal for many of your cleansing needs! Here are some of my new favorite uses!
Stubborn, burnt on food in your pot? Sprinkle with a generous amount of baking soda and cover with hot water. Let it sit for an hour or so, and when you come back you should notice that the food has loosen/relatively lifted for much easier cleaning. Got most of it off, but there’s still a stubborn spot or two? Repeat the process rather than scrubbing your night away!
Want to brighten your clothing and keep the colors? Add a ½ a cup to your wash as you start it, along with ½ the recommended amount of laundry detergent (meaning your also save on detergent!).
Stuck on stains in the kitchen or bathroom? Make a gentle scrubbing paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Scrub on, let it sit and rinse away. Repeat as needed.
Want a gentle, chemical-free to clean and brighten your toilet? Sprinkle straight into the bowl (as you would a soft scrub, such as Comet) and scrub away your stains. Allow to set for about an hour (or until the toilet is needed) before flushing to brighten and deodorize!
Your grandmother and mother were right about an open box in the refrigerator! Keep a bowl full on one of your shelves, or sprinkle some at the bottom of your garbage pail, to absorb the majority of odors.
I meant to post this as a heads up on Friday, but ran out of day! The FDA has been studying the effects of spray-on sunscreen use on children, and Consumer Reports came out with their final determination: they're officially recommending that spray-on sunscreens not be used on children (along with most, if not all, other aerosol products).
The studies show that spraying on sunscreen can add to the risk of asthma or allergy attacks if children inhale the mist. Consumer Reports has even removed one of it's recommended sunscreens from their list, Ocean Potion Kids Instant Dry Mist SPF 50, because it is marketed especially for children's use.
Of course they say if it's all that's available to go ahead and use it, but to spray onto your hands to apply on your child, and not to spray directly onto their face (which isn't recommended in the first place).
As with all things, this is just the recommendations of CR, and there are benefits and drawbacks that come along with everything. Spray-on is often preferred by parents because it sprays on evenly and dries more quickly. If your child has asthma, severe allergies, or is easily prone to respiratory issues, though, spray-on is not the best sunscreen option for your family.
It's been a long week (and it's only Wednesday) so to help perk myself up I decided it's a baking kind of night. Being that it is Wednesday, though, and I'm certainly not looking to have to head to the grocery store on the way home, I needed super simple ideas. Here are two awesome ones that I'm trying to choose between.
3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies:
Line a couple cookie sheets with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cream your butter and sugar together, and then add in your flour. Keep mixing until it turns into a soft doughy consistency (it'll fall apart at first, keep mixing). Once you've gotten to dough, roll it out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick and cut out circles with a water glass. Place on your cookie sheets and bake for 16-18 minutes, until a light golden brown.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse:
You need a hand mixer or stand mixer, with a whisk attachment for either. Scooping as much of the coconut cream off the top of your cans as possible without getting the milk. Put it into a mixing bowl. Add all of your other ingredients and beat together, starting at low and gradually getting higher, until it starts to get fluffy and peaks start to form. Divide into individual serving bowls and chill in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy it. It will thicken more as it chills.
Tis the season for fresh, local produce goodness! I know that there’s something growing all year long (we’re especially excited when we’re down to Brussels sprouts and potatoes… some sarcasm intended) but in the summertime we really get it going, with all of the delicious sweet fruits and vegetables coming into their own. We all need to get plenty of veggies in our diet, and this is the most fun season to do so. We all know, though, that the succulent fruits that are available are the real rock stars. If you’re feeling me, here are the local sweets to head out and enjoy. There are still many stands out east offering pick-your-own, as well, if that suits your fancy!
Blueberries: Oh how we love you, let me count the ways! Blueberries are locally in season for just July and August, and are a powerhouse when it comes to nutrients. They have the highest antioxidant capacity of all fruits, and help neutralize free radicals to combat aging and illness. To keep them the longest, keep them unwashed in their original container for up to a week, or until you’re ready to devour them!
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons: Both melons are basically the sugary snack equivalent of basically Coco Puffs in the processed world. They’re amazingly sweet and juicy on their own without ever needing to add anything to them (and little hands make them disappear in seconds)! They’re found local grown in our hottest weather, usually mid to late July through the end of September, sometimes into October. If you need your melon to last a couple days before cutting it, don’t be afraid to grab a firm one. Leave it out of the fridge for a couple days before use to allow it to finish ripening right at home. Warning though, your mouth will be watering because the closer to ripe the more your whole kitchen will smell like melon!
Cherries: Cherries are another health benefit powerhouse, helping with everything from weight loss and memory boost to heart health and anti-inflammatory properties. These sweet superheroes are only here for a short time, however, and are only available locally usually the month of July into the beginning of August. They’re best eaten within a couple days of purchase. Again, kept unwashed in their original container until you’re ready to do so!
Plums, Peaches, and Nectarines: all available through our warmest months, and all fun for picking, these stone fruits just about epitomize summer itself. They’re available from July through September, and are picked off of trees just like apples. Like melons, they can be picked a little firm and then left to ripen at room temperature. Once ripe they’re good for 3-5 days in the fridge!
Looking for a fun little project for the holiday tomorrow? How about paper sparklers: you’ll be able to wave them around to celebrate our independence without having to worry about anyone getting burnt by the sparks! They’re simple and a lot of fun for the little ones. All you’ll need are:
-Fun or festive straws, like these (I've bought them in the Christmas Tree Shop in Riverhead before)
-Vellum paper in red, white, and blue. Silver and/or gold would work great, too!
-Scissors
-Scotch tape
-Wooden skewers
Start by cutting your paper into 3in x 4in rectangles. Next cut the paper into thin fringe, leaving about 1/2in uncut at the bottom.
Next you're going to need to roll it up, tight enough to fit into the end of your straw. Once fit in you can add a little tape around the top if you're worried it’s not tight enough. Lastly cut a skewer to the length of your straw and stick it in the other end. Tape the bottom to keep it in. This will give the sparkler a little extra stability for waving!
I know she shared them on the forums, but I just HAD to share the images here, too! This is our very own, gorgeous moonmist09 and her beautiful family. They had won a free family shoot with THREE14 Photography over the winter, and their images came out absolutely stunning!
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