by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Oct 7, 2019 | Education Materials
Kids Cookbooks Volume 1- Easy Food, by Sarah Watson Bean at “Love at Home Education,” is a super simple, basic cookbook to help your children get started in their cooking journey. (Post contains affiliate links).
From age 2 and up, “Cooking by Levels” offers steps to get even the youngest members of your family in the kitchen and to help them feel included, by offering simple tasks for them to successfully complete.
Kids Cookbooks, Volume 1 – Easy Food provides opportunity to build teamwork from an early age.
“A level based cookbook that teaches your kids how to cook 15 meals. From helping out to cooking full meals all by themselves.” And the recipes all look yummy too!
Five levels are provided with directions on what to give specific aged kids to do. Visuals are included and placed in appropriate places throughout the cookbook to make it easier to tell at which level each individual cooking step fits.
For example:
- Pouring for 2-4 year old kids – This level gives younger kids the opportunity to practice pouring without actually measuring ingredients. A simple black and white measuring cup picture is placed in all the places to make it clear which age group the specific task is appropriate for.
- Measuring tasks (4 years and up) are paired with simple measuring spoons. These are tasks designed to encourage your child to start reading ingredients and instructions on recipes.
- Reading and Assembling ingredients – For example, 5 to 7 year old children can look for ingredients in a recipe and then find them in the cabinet or refrigerator. These tasks are identified by a simple milk carton.
- Ingredients and directions for a recipe can usually be read at this level. Also, children can begin to choose their own recipes. The symbol associated with level 4 is a simple, black and white recipe picture.
- Doing all of the reading, gathering all of the ingredients, and cooking all by themselves. This is the last and 5th step! This step is symbolized by a chef hat. 🙂
Suggestions are offered to deal with kids starting out at older ages as well as how to help the child move up more quickly when it is desired.
This Cooking Class and Curriculum is meant to be fun, of course, and it really is!
Reading Instructions and Measurements
Cooking By Yourself
Simple recipes include:
Waffles, pancakes, and homemade multigrain bread.
Delicious oatmeal cookies and homemade granola bars
And spaghetti, hamburgers, fresh, from scratch fresh pasta, and scrambled eggs 3 ways.
(Post contains affiliate links).
Offerings by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom
Meal Prep for Beginners
Meal Planning for Kids
The Importance of Good Nutrition
Nutrition and Food Science Activity Pack
Paleontologist Kids Unit Study
Sunflower and Pumpkin Gardening and Activity Kit
Gluten-Free Cheat Sheet Bundle
Posts by Me
Homeschooling Dietitian Mom Recommended Resources
Is the Paleo Diet Biblical?
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Sep 30, 2019 | Nutrition and Health
10 Facts About Vitamin B12 (Post may contain affiliate links).
Vitamin B12 was first “discovered” in the 1850s.
Thomas Addison, one of the earliest researchers of vitamin B12, discovered a lethal form of anemia he named pernicious anemia. Symptoms of this disease included:
- Glossitis – (inflammation of the tongue)
- Macrocytic – (too large) red blood cells
- Numbness and abnormal gait.
There was no treatment and so patients afflicted would die.
In the 1920s, Georges Richard Minot, a practicing MD at Harvard, came up with the idea that something in food might help patients. Minot teamed up with two other MDs and they did research on dogs 🙁 to discover a treatment.
The research involved bleeding dogs and then feeding them various types of food until they determined that meats, especially raw liver, were the best treatment. Unfortunately, they did not discover what was in the raw liver and meat. They did however, earn a Nobel Prize in Medicine for their efforts in 1934.
It has taken well over 100 years to understand vitamin B12. And research continues to this day.
During the period 1934 and 1948, Intrinsic factor was discovered. This was seen as a substance in the body that was necessary for absorption of this mysterious food element, that became known as “Extrinsic Factor.”
Intrinsic factor in the stomach is necessary for absorption
Intrinsic factor is most effective when the acid level is higher. As a result, older people and persons taking antacids are at an increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Animal Products are the only Natural Way to obtain vitamin B12
Spirulina has been cited as a source of vitamin B12, and Spirulina has been shown to have numerous health benefits. However, the “B12” in Spirulina is an Analog or “Pseudo-vitamin.”
To make matters worse, this B12 analog in Spirulina also interferes with the absorption of the real vitamin B12.
Thus Spirulina is NOT a source of real vitamin B12.
Non-animal products are often fortified. For example:
- Soy, Rice, and Almond Milk
- Breakfast Cereals
Vitamin B12 is one of the water soluble vitamins.
As a result, it is easily lost when cooked in water.
Deficiency can result in psychosis
as well as spinal cord demyelination, neuropathy, and death.
Vitamin B12 is more readily absorbed when the stomach is acidic. As a result, antacids lower the absorption, and chronic antacid use can result in deficiency, especially in older persons.
B12 and Folate (Folic Acid) work together to prevent Megaloblastic anemia. As a result, it can be hard for healthcare providers to determine whether the cause is folic acid deficiency or B12 deficiency. Thus, it is important that you don't take excessive amounts of either folic acid or vitamin B12.
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US RDA of B12
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.9 micrograms – 1-3 years
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1.2 micrograms – 4-8 years
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1.8 micrograms – 9-13 years
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2.4 micrograms – 14+ years
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2.6 micrograms – Pregnancy
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2.8 micrograms – Lactation
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Seven Surprising Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
Diet and ADHD in Children
Lactose Intolerance or Protein Allergy?
6 Reasons You Need More Vegetables in Your Diet
What Interferes With Iron Absorption?
Is the Paleo Diet Biblical?
For Further Study
https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12+
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina#section1
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Sep 8, 2019 | Education Materials
Biomes of the World
Sara Bean of “Love at Home Education” has created an entire series on the different biomes of the world. These units can be purchased as one entire unit or separately. Each of the six units targets all grade levels, K-12, and there are dozens of activities to choose from in each individual unit. For example, at least one full page of links is included to supplement each of the individual biome units. These links include suggestions for subject specific books, art, as well as poetry.
All Units include:
- Reading List
- Blank Homeschool Reading Logs
- Journal
- Free Photos
- Block Letters that form the words for particular animal/plant studied.
- Mini Units
- Writing Guidelines for K-12
(Post contains affiliate links).
Interesting study of the Vikings, with fascinating supplemental activities. For example, Norse poetry, how to make Viking Bread. Also, awesome projects including making jewelry, and how to make white dye fabric. Another interesting project involves learning about the Vikings' individual style of boats.
Mini Units
- Arctic Owl
- Poppy
- Arctic Wolf
- Willow
- Lichen
- Woolly Mammoth
Three different types of forest are categorized as Biomes of the World today.
All three biomes are divided into separate units.
These units all contain mini units.
- Cocoa
- Jaquar
- Lemur
- Passion Flower
- Toucan
- Vanilla Orchid
Also included is an Aztec, Mayan, and Inca journal page.
- Azalea
- Chipmunk
- Holly
- Raccoon
- Timber Wolf
- Willow Tree
- Beaver
- Fir Tree
- Lynx
- Pine Tree
- Spruce Tree
- Wolverine
Mini Units:
- Bison
- African Lion
- Racka Sheep
- Milkweed and Monarch Butterfly
- Coneflower
- Lemongrass
Mini Units:
- Cactus
- Gila Monster
- Kangaroo
- Mesquite Tree
- Snap Dragon
- Desert Tortoise
Overall, these Units provide plenty of fun activities and food for thought and can be utilized as part of any K-12 Life Science curriculum.
Keep in mind, however, that the Biomes of the World curriculum assumes the “Continental Drift” theory is a fact. In case you aren't familiar with the idea of the “Continental Drift,” theory and the term “Pangaea.”
The “Continental Drift” theory states that at one time all the continents today existed as one big body of land. The term, “Pangaea,” is in reference to the one big body of land. The “Continental Drift” theory states that the current continents we have today are the result of the one body of land breaking apart into separate continents At a very slow rate. Thus, the “Continental Drift,” theory states that the continents existing today took 3.3 billion years to form.
Unfortunately, the “Continental Drift” theory is stated as fact in every single unit, throughout the entire curriculum.
I do accept as valid that there may have, at one time, been one large continent, or Pangaea. However, I don't adhere to the belief that the Pangaea formed at a slow rate as is stated in each of the Biome units. I believe there are other valid explanations for how the continents separated. I also believe that 3.3 billion years was not necessary to make this happen.
For example, a worldwide flood with its catastrophic conditions easily could have resulted in one big body of land being broken up into several.
In fact, the Bible states in Genesis 7:11-12, 17-20 (King James Version)
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.
18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
Based on these verses, it is clear to me that the flood of the Bible was enough to break up “Pangaea” and that it would not have required 3.3 billion years.
To Find out more about Love at Home Education and the Biomes of the World Unit Studies, click here.
Other Recommended Resources
Paleontologist Kids Activities Unit Study
When Did Dinosaurs Live?
Why My Son Doesn't Believe in Evolution
Not All Fats Are Created Equal
Kids Cookbooks Volume 1
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Aug 22, 2019 | Food Allergies and Special Diets
Best Food for Psoriasis: How Diet May Improve Your Psoriasis
(post may contain affiliate links)
In 2017, a team of researchers from the San Francisco School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology, University of California found that reduced alcohol consumption and a gluten and nightshades free diet improved the symptoms of Psoriasis. Additionally, a diet that contained fish oil, Vitamin D, and vegetables also proved effective in the treatment for this skin condition.
More than 1200 individuals from the National Psoriasis Foundation were surveyed with 61 questions on their food habits and dietary practices. The researchers published the findings in Dermatologic Therapy May 2017 issue. People with psoriasis consumed less sugar, dairy products, and fiber to reduce their symptoms.
Along with it, a reduced quantity of alcohol, members of the nightshade family, such as peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant also helped them to curb down the skin shedding process effectively.
Furthermore, the survey also revealed that people with psoriasis alleviated their symptoms by including fish oil, vegetables, and vitamin D in their regular meals. These foods acted like natural cures for psoriasis.
Does Food Trigger Psoriasis Symptoms?
Nutrition is one of the biggest players in fighting against several health problems, including Psoriasis. Although food is not the only trigger that boosts the symptoms of Psoriasis (stress and bad weather can also be one of them), certain foods do flare up the condition.
While medical treatments often reduce the rapid skin cell production in order to curb the symptoms down, psoriasis is a lifelong condition and has no cure. Therefore, lifestyle changes and shifts in dietary habits are the only home remedies of psoriasis that you can include without worrying about the side effects of modern medications.
Choosing anti-inflammatory foods, eliminating gluten, and choosing low-calorie ingredients showed signs of improvement in the surveyed members.
High anti-oxidant foods, along with weight loss and remedies to reduce inflammation can also help relieve the symptoms effectively.
TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicines are herb-based treatments that can help you reduce inflammation naturally. Chinese herbs like Indica Naturalis and Aloe Vera are widely used in China to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis.
Foods to Avoid for Psoriasis
You must avoid foods that trigger inflammation and weaken the immune system, such as:
Processed Foods
Processed foods are high in calories, trans fat and saturated fats. Consuming processed foods can lead to weight gain, low metabolism, metabolic syndrome, and other health conditions, including inflammation. Foods you must avoid to processed food intake include pre-packaged foods, canned foods, processed meats, packaged bakery products, and foods high in salt, sugar, and fat.
Nightshades
Nightshade plants and veggies are rich in solanine. Solanine is a compound that causes indigestion and promotes inflammation in persons with psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation states that Nightshades can trigger the symptoms of psoriasis. Examples of foods classified as nightshades are tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant.
Gluten Rich Food
People with psoriasis could also become gluten sensitive. There are certain health conditions that are characterized by autoimmunity to gluten. So, you must avoid all foods that have gluten, such as wheat, rye, barley, and malt-based foods. You should also avoid foods that contain wheat, barley, and malts, such as pasta, vermicelli, semolina, baked goods, and noodles, sauces and condiments, and malt beverage like beer. These foods all contain gluten.
Alcohol
Psoriasis is an auto-immune health condition, which means it is directly linked to the immune system. Alcohol has the potential to disrupt your immune system and therefore, you must restrict alcohol every day.
Foods that People with Psoriasis Can Consume Every day
A diet high in anti-inflammatory foods can act as a natural cure for psoriasis, and such foods include:
Fruits and Vegetables
Most fruits and veggies are rich in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. Both are essential compounds to decrease stress and inflammation. anti-inflammatory, omega 3 fatty acids. contain a high amount of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants include broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, and other dark fruits, and leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and arugula.
Fish
Among all meat-based products fish is the best for health. You must have those fishes that provide your body the necessary anti-inflammatory, omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids promote good health and reduce both internal and external inflammation. You can have salmon, sardines, trout, and codfishes to treat your psoriasis naturally.
Healthy Oils
Certain vegetable oils also contain anti-inflammatory, omega 3 fatty acids, for example. Try including olive oil, coconut, flax seed, and safflower oils in your diet. However, do not have oils that contain a high amount of omega 6 fatty acids.
Dr. Pragno Diet
Dr. Pragno, in his book, Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative describes how a healthy lifestyle and a good diet can improve the symptoms of psoriasis. His approach includes consuming fruits and vegetables in high quantities, having grains, meats, seafood, eggs, and dairy in moderate quantity, and avoiding red meat, nightshades, and processed foods completely.
Vegan and Mediterranean diets also seem to help in treating the skin problem.
Reach out to your nutritionist for more clarity on how you can control your condition through food habits.
Author Bio:
Emylee Modest is a wellness lifestyle writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to natural remedies, yoga and fitness through her writing. Emylee currently writes for How To Cure. She can connect with others experiencing health concerns and help them through their recovery journeys through natural remedies.
Other articles from Homeschooling Dietitian Mom:
Why are Kids Picky Eaters?
Does Food Affect Autism?
High Protein Meals
6 Reasons You Need Vitamin B6
Lactose Intolerance or Cow's Milk Allergy?
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Jul 26, 2019 | Creation Education Resources
Eugenics and Dog Breeding (post contains affiliate links).
Dog Breeding and Eugenics
Ever since I studied population genetics at the Institute for Creation Research, I have thought a lot about purebred dogs and why they seem to have so many health problems.
The answer is partly explained by the fact that when you breed an animal for specific characteristics, you are bottlenecking the gene pool.
Think of an upside-down bottle (or funnel) that starts out big and narrows to a small hole.
The top of the funnel—mutt—contains a greater variety of genes. As you go down, only some of the genes will be left over in the container—Dalmatian, for example. That is, the entire gene pool/potential you start with will be reduced as you go down through the funnel.
So, not only do you reduce the genetic potential as you create your purebred dog, when you go down the funnel, if some of the genes passed down are mutations, the chances of a mutation passing down and being expressed in the final “product,” has been greatly increased.
So, why would anyone want to do such a thing?
Firstly, a little background to explain why dog breeding became such a hot thing starting in the 1800s.
Dog types go back 1000s of years, and some selective breeding has been used as a way to make dogs more useful to help with work. For example, making dogs more useful for hunting, shepherding, and retrieving. In the 1800s, however, the idea of breeding for selective characteristics took on a whole new life
Charles Darwin’s new thoughts on the inheritance of characteristics as well as the ideas of Francis Galton, Darwin’s cousin, and the Father of Eugenics, fueled this new movement of dog breeding.
What is Eugenics?
The term Eugenics is the study and control of procreation as a means of improving hereditary characteristics of future generations.
Francis Galton, the Father of Eugenics, believed that humans, like animals should be selectively bred.
Two examples of Eugenics in practice:
- Hitler and Nazi Germany – Eugenics is one of the main theories that fed Hitler’s ideas for creating the “Superior Race.”
- Involuntary sterilization practices in the USA–that’s right folks—as late as 2010!*
“Few ideas have done more harm to the human race in the last 120 years than those of Sir Francis Galton. He founded the evolutionary pseudo-science of eugenics. Today, ethnic cleansing, the use of abortion to eliminate ‘defective’ unborn babies, infanticide, euthanasia, and the harvesting of unborn babies for research purposes (and forced sterilization—my note), all have a common foundation in the survival-of-the-fittest theory of eugenics.”
(Note that prior to World War II, Eugenics was a commonly used term. After World War II, however, the term became a dirty word. Now eugenicists are known as “population scientists,” and “human geneticists,” while “Eugenics Quarterly” has been renamed, “Journal of Social Biology).”
So, what exactly is dog breeding?
Dog breeding is the practice of mating selected dogs with the intent to maintain or produce specific qualities and characteristics. When dogs reproduce without human intervention, their offspring's characteristics are determined by natural selection. On the other hand, “dog breeding” refers specifically to the artificial selection of dogs, in which dogs are intentionally bred by their owners:
Natural Selection
The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. (Not Macroevolution).**
Artificial Selection
“‘Selective breeding' is the process by which humans use animal breeding…to selectively develop particular phenotypic traits by choosing which animals…will sexually reproduce and have offspring together.”
Original Dog Kind
All dogs are descendents of a wolf-like ancestor. In fact, the genetic diversity of the original wolf-life ancestor allows for variations such as Chihuahuas and Great Danes. It also allows for the fact that there are currently at least 200 different breeds of dogs.
So, if it wasn't for this original diversity, humans would never have been able to create dog breeds in the first place. Not only that but
When a dog breed IS created, it decreases the gene pool of the animal being bred.
This, in turn, reduces the variability and the genetic potential of the offspring.
Problems with Purebreds – Some examples
- French Bulldog – This dog is considered more valuable when the head is larger. So, the French Bulldog is bred to produce a bigger and bigger head circumference. As a result, >90% of French Bulldog puppies have to be delivered by Caesarean Birth.
- King Charles Spaniel – This breed has a mutation that causes “Syringomyelia,” which means the skull is too small to house the brain. As a result, when the brain gets too big for the skull, the dog experiences severe pain.
- Rhodesian Ridgback – This breed is valued for the ridges on its back. If a puppy is born without proper ridges, they are “culled.” (READ: SLAUGHTERED). Although, it is claimed this no longer happens. To make matters worse, when the “proper ridges” exist, this is considerd a mild form of Spina Bifida. Thus, the diseased animal is preferred to the healthy animal simply because of the ridges.
- Dalmatians – Virtually all Dalmatians lack the ability to break down Uric Acid . This is the result of a mutation in their bloodline. Thus, when a person owns a Dalmation, they have to feed the animal a special diet to prevent bladder stones which are potentially fatal. Breeders have fixed this problem by adding back the gene to the bloodline. However, many consider these “LUA” (Low Uric Acid) variants to be “mongrels.”
Let's Talk About Poodles
According to Wikipedia:
“The poodle has been bred in at least three sizes, including Standard, Miniature, and Toy. According to the American Kennel Club, which recognized the breed in 1887, the Standard Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties, and was later bred down to the miniature and toy sizes. The British Kennel Club also recognizes three sizes, stating that the miniature and toy are scaled down versions of the standard.”
(a) Standard –
- Most likely of all dog breeds to develop a serious skin disease called “sebaceous adenitis”
- High risk for thyroid disease
- 40% of this breed die from cancer.
(b) Toy – Because they are so small, they have a high “miscarriage” rate. They require assistance, pups are often stillborn, and caesarians are common.
Personal examples:
Parents at one point tried to breed poodles for a little extra money. They purchased 3 dogs; 2 females and 1 male.
Dog 1 – Female – out of 2 litters, only one puppy survived (stillborn).
Dog 2 – Female – Too small – at risk of death if gave birth, so had to be spayed; developed kidney failure at a young age.
Dog 3 – Male – Had genetic defect that precluded breeding him. Parents found out after purchasing him and after the first litter (none of which survived).
Conclusions:
It’s understandable why certain dog breeds would be wanted and needed. For example, blind and other handicapped service dogs. But iI think t’s important to keep in mind the risks and the suffering involved in the breeding of dogs.
There are so many unwanted non-purebred (and even purebred) dogs in the animal shelters that could use a good home. If you just want a healthy dog for a pet. One that will probably live longer and have less healthy problems, I believe your best bet is to find a “mutt” and give him or her a home.
Here's a great place to start: Mutt Rescue
If you're a dog lover, check these adorable bookmarks out.
Why My Son Doesn't Believe in Evolution
Notes and References
*Make sure you read this article, which is a PBS report. This subject is incredibly important to be educated on but is beyond the scope of subject I’m discussing.
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/unwanted-sterilization-and-eugenics-programs-in-the-united-states/
**Note that evolutionists (and Wikipedia) have a bias that states that new species are proof of macroevolution. Creationists do not use the term macroevolution in the same way. A new type of bird is not an increase in genetic information, which is what is necessary for TRUE macroevolution to occur.
https://creation.com/eugenics-death-of-the-defenceless
https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com:
https://creation.com/eugenics-death-of-the-defenceless
http://hounddogsdrule.com/k9-classroom/canid-hybrids/
Creation Magazine – “Sick, suffering monsters and the eugenicists who created them” by Lita Cosner, pp 22-25
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle
https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/health/standardpoodles.html
http://toypoodles.com/Cape_Rose_Toy_Poodles/Should_I_Breed_My_Pet.html
https://creation.com/parade-of-mutants
