#Kale Patch Caper

[fountainpenguin]

Favorite underrated FOP episodes? (Definition of underrated is up to you, can just be a random small episode you like)

I think "The Odd Squad" will forever be top of the "underrated faves" list for me. The pacing and style are both so good, it has a lot of cute worldbuilding in it, the character interactions are fantastic (including a wholesome moment with Timmy and his regular parents), and it has Juandissimo saying "Nice wheels, Timmy! :D" I am a massive sucker for Jorgen freaking out over Timmy driving in Fairy World and wrecking the place but Juandissimo was more or less on the sidelines giving him an enthusiastic thumbs up because he is too silly and oblivious to foresee a problem skldfj. The dialogue is lots of fun and Timmy is happy the entire time. It's a sweet one.

I'd say that "Shelf Life" and "Which Witch Is Which?" are episodes I would classify as "episodes I enjoy that are less commonly remembered." The former has a lot of wit and clever dialogue and a silly ending, and the latter gave me a lot of worldbuilding to play with by canonizing witches in Crocker's family tree.

I love "Crocker of Gold" and "Chicken Poofs" for a lot of the same reasons- a pinch of worldbuilding and a lot of goofy character interactions. I'm sure that description applies to a lot of episodes, but there's a special place in my heart for the flower quest, Bring Your Chicken Hawk to Work day, and for the "Everything is so green here" scene, which is one of my favorite jokes in the world.

I'll always hold a soft spot for "Mr. Right" as well for being one of the first episodes I ever saw when I was out at a pizza place one time. I also really enjoy the concept of "The Big Scoop" and how it portrays Timmy in a creepy way from the perspective of his friends as they worry about what's going on in his life. Also I feel like "Please Don't Feed the Turners" says a ton about Timmy's parents... the LOOK they give each other when they're on the same page is the best.

All the Learnatorium and Pixie episodes, I'm a big fan of. "Hassle in the Castle" speaks to my soul and I think "Big Wanda" is hilarious. "Yoo Doo" will always be a favorite, and I love the silliness of "Presto Change-O," "The Gland Plan," "The Masked Magician," "The Good Old Days," "For Emergencies Only," "Talkin' Trash," "Parent Hoods," and "Formula For Disaster." Also "Fly Boy" because Timmy yelling "This is all your fault!" at Poof while Poof slightly cringes away just cracks me up.

I love the wackiness of "Dad Overboard" and "Take and Fake." They're hard to top; they're so very good. Poof playing in the sand and he finds a freaking missile, Crocker takes his class on a field trip to watch Timmy's supposed death, Dad accidentally kidnapped an elf from the North Pole who becomes a good friend, there's a line of dialogue that goes "I'll get Stanley and his headless wife! :D" and these are all the same episode. "Take and Fake" is just... goofy and nice, it's very difficult to watch without laughing so it's just lovely.

I'll also throw in "Wishing Well" because it's one of my all-time faves. The vibe it gives is kind of chilling while also being delightful the whole time because you know it's about learning life skills and it's such a positive viewing experience, plus it's one of very few episodes where Timmy meets other godkids and has a positive relationship with them.

"Fairy Friends and Neighbors" is a huge fave. Idk if that counts as underrated (imo Seasons 4 and 5 are the best in the series; they're almost all winners)

"Cosmo Rules" and "Jerk of All Trades" both feel nice because they're highly specific to the FOP world (i.e. they're about Jorgen's duty of overseeing Da Rules) and they're really fun to watch together. Facing the Fairy Council are two Fairies: one of them is Cosmo the estranged von Strangle who should care for Da Rules because it's his blood right, and the other is Juandissimo who straight-up broke Da Rules by fleeing Fairy World and returning stolen memories to his godkid, and the Fairy Council really said "Screw the bloodline, the rulebreaker gets to be in charge now." Obsessed with how after Jorgen announces he's been replaced, we pan over to Juandissimo who just sits there quietly in a chair with wide eyes like he doesn't know how he got there or what he's doing.

Let's see... "School of Crock," "Crockin' the House," "Viral Videots," "Dust Busters," "Fairly Old Parent," "Anchors Away," "Cosmonopoly," "Dog Gone," "Lame Ducks"... those are also episodes I really enjoy. Season 9 has a lot of underrated faves for me. I don't care for Sparky, but Season 9 is so good... Some of the best lines in the series are in there.

For underrated Season 10 faves, I'll throw in "Clark Laser" (idk if that counts as underrated since it's gotta be one of if not THE best of Season 10), and "Chip Off the Old Crock" with the same disclaimer. Then "Whittle Me This" and "Summer Bummer." Those are good.

"Kale Patch Caper"... It's got bits and pieces that don't click with me, but I LOVE morally gray Chloe committing B&E on her neighbors. I love how if Chloe didn't have godparents then canonically her fate is to lose an eye and join a gang. Like. What on earth. They really just dropped that on us and refused to elaborate. What. Love that.

Special shout-out to "Beach Blanket Bozos" for giving me one of my favorite FOP moments of all time, which is Jorgen grouchily sitting on Da Rules to scold Timmy for locking his parents in "I wish they were both the best surfer ever" wish limbo.

We don't talk enough about what a hilarious character Jorgen is. Big boss fairy godparent who can crush your skull. He's not allowed to have a godkid because he'd physically and emotionally destroy them. He's married to the Tooth Fairy... We love a man who's obsessed with his muscles and threatens to destroy you on the regular but in reality he just files paperwork. Which will ruin your life. I love Jorgen.

[havetorres7]

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[mbzmetalsmith]

I wonder how many people have started a vegetable garden over the past few weeks of #quarantinelife ? I started my own little garden bed in an old fallow patch- planted carrots, zucchini, kale , tomatoes, rapini and... capers! ( the capers are an experiment- never tried to grow them before) We always have a big #garden but for the past two years we haven’t grown many #veggies because we knew we would be out of town in Italy during June (typically one of Tucson’s dry, unforgiving months)BUT this year, no Italy trip ( even before the epidemic we weren’t sure we were going because our son is headed into his senior year of high school and we have college prep!) FIRST BZAP 2020 VEGGIE GARDEN PHOTO. #seedlings #veggies #vegetablegarden #pandemiclife #grateful https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xJAMmh2r-/?igshid=12xauumj13lw2

[theinsanecrayonbox]

Hare Raiser/Kale Patch Kids review

ok DVR had this recorded so I’m saying its aired. Have my backlogged first viewing reaction review of the episode when i watched it like 9 months ago

Hare Raiser:

 Part of me is partially hoping this is a Hellraiser parody, but I know that’s highly unlikely…

 Also I know spelling different but named after a character. People are gonna get so confused…

 Oh wow Kevin isn’t just a one-off character?? He’s going to be a regular?? Oh wow. That’s sort of awesome. (Note: this is Kevin’s second apperance in the show by production ordering)

 The whole excuse note bit was actually great. From the “Please excuse [them] from certain death”, to the “I wrote it in disappearing ink even though I’m a pencil”. I just, I don’t know, I really liked it. It’s a little long winded for a joke, but it’s cute.

 Is it just me, or does the rabbit look like a Gigglepie? I hope it’s a Gigglepie. Tell me it’s really a Gigglepie.

 Shikadance family???

 “You’d sell your freedom for mac n’cheese?” haha that was also a great line/gag, and it wasn’t as long a setup. These writers are really getting the hang of this now I think

 Ah Chloe, friend to all creatures, liberator of the downtrodden. You also have unleashed the beast unto the unsuspecting masses…yet again. Wow, this is such a good parallel to the monster attack that landed you in Dimmsdale to begin with, isn’t it.

 Ok, making the conflict that Cosmo changed the wands into carrots and then the rabbit eats them…that feels a bit shoehorned…rabbit monster though is awesome. I am going to now headcanon that Gigglepies turn into those beasts…or half their species look like that (the females; the males are the adorable annoying things lol)

 Cosmo playing the background music-yeah ok. “Let’s check these conveniently placed security monitors” lol yes, make fun of yourself more

 Awww, it’s all Kevin’s fault. Poor Kevin. But poor life choices is a Crocker family trait. Loved the “Lights Out” panel though

 Whoawhoawhoa wait!!! “Estranged half-sister”, you ACTUALLY explained how Crocker and Kevin are related???? That is AWESOME! But this begs so many more questions!! Since the Crocker looks are from Dolores, does that mean she had another child?? And when?? Must’ve been after Denzel lost his fairies, which means sister is at least 10 years younger than Denzel…UNLESS she’s older than him. Why are they estranged? Did her father take her away? Was she given up for adoption? Dolores was a teen beauty queen, having a child young is plausible…Did Denzel have a stepfather for a while, if she’s younger than him; is that why he had no problems accepting Vic as his stepfather, because he’s gone through his mom remarrying before? Or is this revelation that he has a sister brand new because she’s older and wasn’t in contact all this time? And why/how does Kevin have the Crocker name then? Did his mom not use her dad’s/her adoptive family’s name? Is she unmarried like her mom? There are so many more questions!!!

 Yay the return of the theme song as a ringtone

 “If this was a horror movie…which it’s sort of become…” lol yes, I love this

 Booger jokes…kay…..well it’s better than toilet humor

 Wow Waxelplax’s office sure has changed…it’s now the vault from the Conjuring

 The rabbit uses the internet. Uhhu.

 Chloe has an aunt!!!

 Haha Scooby moment where the badguy helps you barricade the door. Classic.

 “Your hippie food put us all in danger!�� lol that is a great line

 HAHA! I guessed female right!!! Babies are random, but ok, we can roll with it; did ingest magic, so could’ve poofed them up anyways

 “Well the world just got a little weirder” yup, pretty much the understatement of the year there

 And we get to see the Shikadance. Neats! *makes notes of designs for Superverse*

 So over all, not a Hellraiser parody (pretty much knew that), and not a Gigglepie (boo), and the whole reason for the problem was blehish, but over all, actually an enjoyable episode I say! Kevin returned and was a little more explained, and there were plenty of good jokes, so good job guys! Onto the next one!!

The Kale Patch Caper:

 Oh this is exciting! Chloe is such an 80s/90s kid. First she loved the Care Bears parody, now the Cabbage Patch Kids??? Please bring back “Pretty Pony”, make fun of “gritty reboots” with it, by making the new on be like Fallout (and also shout out to the fandom that did that lol). I mean, you had a Transformers parody already. Make fun of the dark gritty reboots with pastel ponys!! (and include Francis at least in the background!!)

 Ok real episode plot time…

 Ok so the Kale Patch Kids are a blending of Cabbage Patch Kids, Veggie Tales, and Beanie Babies I guess…still 90s nostalgia honestly

 Compost Kids = Garbage Pail Kids. That’s not even trying honestly, but do I care? NOPE!! ^^

 Chloe is actually a computer nerd with “connections” online. Huh…I actually called hacker!Chloe right. NEAT!!

 Also thrift store/second hand collectable shop!! Hunting for the rare missing collection piece. Al the 80s/90s memorabilia. When did Chloe become me???

 Crocker running the shop….meh. dad suddenly collecting these and causing the plot problem…meh. Pointless parts, but we’ll still roll with it for now…I guess using like say, Remy as the one who bought it before Chloe could, with eth reasoning being “I don’t want your girlfriend to be happy Turner, because then you’d be happy, so I got it and I’m going to kill it, muwahahaha” to which they both go “s/he’s not my boy/girlfriend!” would’ve been a bit more convoluted. I just want a moment where Chloe says to Timmy “wow you have a lot of enemies for a 10 year old” after she’s had to face like, a bunch of them

 “You didn’t tell me your Dad collected [these]” “I was ashamed” more like he didn’t until the plot said he had to…

 Legal Jorgen, haha. And hey I was just thinking the other day about magic and copyright laws, neats that canon said something about it Rules wise.

 Wow must be a super slow news day if Chet is covering the pretend marriage of stuffed animals…Timmy’s flowergirl design is cute though ^^;

 Heehee yes Chloe, turn to the dark side. Silent Avenger is a cool codename. But again “over the top with the spygear” was a Tootie trait…Chloe really is the new Tootie…:(

 “I may have done bad but I’m not gonna admit that!” lol oh Chloe, you are too cute. But of course you’re going to have a subconscious guilt trip

 You’re still wearing it because it’s cute ^^ and hey purple!

 Badgirl!Chloe has an eyepatch??!! Chloe with an eyepatch??!! Man, I called that too. What are the odds??? I wish Francis was part of this “wrong crowd” of hers though…haha the super villain costume is great; why couldn’t this have aired BEFORE I designed her Negaverse counterpart…also why no eyepatch on this super villain?? Was it all cosmetic??

 I sorta wish Dad had picked up the blueberry instead of the banana there…because red and “sort of a player” could be Knockout, who is also Daran, and it would’ve been a funny thin reference…

 And Jorgen appears again for a third time. Meh, I’ll let pointless Jorgen slide since we haven’t seen him in a very long time.

 Also watching the credits, I find it odd that Chloe isn’t in any of the pictures, but Sparky is…

 But this episode was great. So much nostalgia, so much Chloe development. Limited/no magic, all dealing with real problems in (slightly) real ways. Very good!

 As a whole episode, both parts work very well together. Neither is overtly strong or weak. I enjoyed both quite a bit. Highly recommend if you want some nice, clean, and easy Chloe characterization.

[catherindonald]

Harbinger of Spring Look-Alikes: Dead Nettle & Henbit

By Susan Belsinger

The first spring wildflowers, herbs, and weeds are popping out all over. Two that frequently appear together are both members of the mint family, Lamiaceae: dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) and henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). Since they often grow in a patch together, are about the same height, and both have bright green leaves and purplish-pink flowers  that bloom at the same time, at first glance, they are often mistaken as the same plant. However, held side-by-side and inspected a bit closer, they are very different in appearance. Similarities also include how and where they grow. Their early spring blooms are some of the first food for honeybees, and the tubular shape of their flowers attract hummingbirds.

Both of these spring harbingers prefer sunny spots where the land or garden soil has been disturbed, along roadsides and in meadows and lawns, and will tolerate some shade. They are often found growing side-by-side and intertwined together in patches in moist, fertile soil. I’d say that they grow anywhere from 8-to 12-inches tall, sometimes being the same height in a group together, though occasionally the henbit stretches just a little bit taller than the dead nettle. The henbit is a bit rangier and will even sprawl along the ground, whereas dead nettle is upright.

Henbit (left) and dead nettle (right) have obvious differences when compared side by side.

Harvest unsprayed, tender spikes early in the season—both the leaves and flowers are edible— and be sure of the correct identification of the plants before you eat them (dead nettle has some look-alike plants before it flowers). Both plants are easy to identify once they bloom. I find that many of our weedy harbingers taste green and earthy; I get strong mineral flavors from nettles and henbit similar to chickweed. Although they are members of the mint family, there is no mint to their flavors. If the stems are tough, then I remove them; if tender, I often add them to my Wild Greens Salsa Verde recipe (see below) since it will be pounded or pureed.  

Wild, edible greens are powerful, good food and offer a variety of flavors for free; they are nutritious and usually high in vitamins and minerals. In Europe, the gentle word “potherb” is given to wild greens that offer the knowledgeable forager herbs for the cooking pot. Both of these plants can be eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and salsas, or cooked in soups and sauces, or combined in a mess o’ greens with other potherbs or green leaves like kale, spinach, chard, tat soi, etc. I prefer to combine them with other greens rather than eat them in quantity on their own.

Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum)

Dead nettle

Sometimes called red nettle, purple nettle, and even purple archangel, it is thought that this is called dead nettle because its leaves resemble stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), though they do not have the stinging characteristic of Urtica. Spotted nettle (Lamium maculatum) is closely related, however its leaves have whitish spots or blotches. 

The foliage of purple dead nettle is wrinkled and hirsute (hairy), and the edges of the heart-shaped leaves have rounded teeth. The leaves grow opposite one another on their noticeably square stems, mostly on the lower stem and at the top (leaving the center stem bare), where they overlap and give the appearance of being overcrowded. Foliage is a medium, bright green although depending upon growing conditions, the leaves clustered at the very top are often purplish-red in color. It is quite attractive against the dainty, single, tubular, lavender-pink flowers. Beginning foragers might want to wait to harvest when the plant is in flower—that way there is no mistaking it for another plant.

In doing research on the medicinal aspects of dead nettle, there are many actions listed: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, diaphoretic, purgative, and styptic. Since it has astringent and styptic qualities, the fresh leaves are recommended for external wounds or cuts. Tea from the leaves is purported to aid in digestion and is used as a mild laxative. It is also used for women’s issues for heavy menstrual flow and cramps. Caution: dead nettle should not be taken while pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) 

This plant is often mistakenly called dead nettle (L. purpureum). I’ve read that henbit gets its name because chickens like it and seek it out, though I am not sure about that—the chickens that I know don’t pay it much attention—though they have lots of other plants and insects to forage. While dead nettle has petioled leaves (little leaf stems attaching the leaves to the central stem), henbit’s lower leaves grow on short stalks, and the mid-to upper, ruffled and scallop-edged leaves appear in a half-circle, clasped around the square stem.

Henbit

I love how Billy Joe Tatum perfectly describes the flowers of henbit in Billy Joe Tatum’s Wild Foods Field Guide and Cookbook: “The tiny flower buds look like beet-colored velvet beads, as small as a pinhead at first. As the buds open you see silken purplish flowers with long corollas, looking like Jack-in-the-pulpits in miniature.” Often upon close inspection, the tiny flowers are pale pinkish inside with deeper-colored spots; each flower turns into a four-seeded fruit.

Chickens in the dead nettle.

Henbit’s properties are somewhat similar to those of dead nettle and include: anti-rheumatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative and stimulant. Henbit has been used to support good digestion, whether consumed raw or made into a tea, and has also been used  to reduce a fever.

To prepare foraged greens:

To quickly capture the best flavor and nutrients, bring the greens to the kitchen as soon as they are harvested. Assemble a salad spinner or washing bowl, a cutting board, and the compost bucket. Run one gallon of water into the spinner or bowl. Add about 1/4 cup distilled white or apple cider vinegar to the water.

Methodically pull the tips or tender leaves from the stems. Pinch off leaves with yellow edges, or brown or black spots. Place the edible parts in the vinegar water as you work and submerge the mass in the water, plunging up and down several times to loosen foreign matter. Let the greens soak in the water for several minutes and the grit will fall to the bottom of the container. Lift them out and drain them. Discard the vinegar water and spin or pat the greens dry. Use fresh or cooked. If not using all of them, wrap them in a kitchen towel and store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for a few days.

  Wild Greens Salsa Verde

(Makes about 2 1/2 cups)

This traditional green sauce goes well with any type of vegetable, whether it is grilled, steamed, oven-roasted, or crudités; it is also good with simply-prepared meat, chicken, fish, and pasta, or even tortilla chips. Vary the herbs that you have on hand or what is in season. When I can, I make this a wild green sauce by adding whatever I can forage: dead nettle, henbit, sorrel, chickweed, dandelion greens and/or flowers, purslane, lambs’ quarters, violet leaves, field cress, monarda, wild onions, or garlic. You can fill in with any seasonal greens from the garden if need be like parsley, fennel fronds, cilantro, arugula, spinach, etc. Sometimes, I add other ingredients—about 1 tablespoon of capers, a chopped boiled egg, or a handful of nuts, like pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans. The sauce can be made without the bread; it just helps to thicken it a bit.

1 1-inch slice country bread, crusts removed

3 large garlic cloves, slivered

About 1/2 cup olive oil

About 3 to 4 cups of mixed edible green leaves, picked over, washed and spun dry 

1/4 cup minced sweet-tasting onion

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Soak the bread in a little water for 10 minutes, then squeeze most of the liquid from it. Add the bread and the garlic to the mortar or food processor and pound or pulse to coarsely chop.

Rough chop the greens. Add them a handful at a time, and pound them in a mortar and pestle or chop in a food processor. Use a little olive oil to loosen them.

Add the olive oil to the herbs as if making a mayonnaise, a few drops at a time, blending or pulsing to incorporate.

When most of the oil has been added, blend in the onion and vinegar. If you want to add capers, nuts, or a hardboiled egg, now is the time; pulse or pound to mix. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, and taste for seasoning. The sauce should be a little thinner than pesto—add a bit more oil, vinegar, or even a bit of water if need be. 

Let the sauce stand at least 30 minutes before using—that way the flavors will develop and meld. Adjust the seasoning and serve at room temperature. The olive oil will not emulsify completely; a little will remain on top of the sauce. Store any leftover sauce in a tightly-covered glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Susan is a culinary herbalist, food writer, educator, and photographer whose work has been published in numerous publications. She has authored a number of award-winning books. Her latest book, The Culinary Herbal: Growing & Preserving 97 Flavorful Herbs, was co-authored with the late Dr. Arthur Tucker. Susan is passionate about herbs and her work, sharing the joy of gardening and cooking through teaching and writing, and inspiring others to get in touch with their senses of smell and taste.

Harbinger of Spring Look-Alikes: Dead Nettle & Henbit published first on https://marcuskeever.blogspot.com/

[tumblblabber]

Review: The Fairly OddParents "The Kale Patch Caper" ; "Hare Raiser"

Review: The Fairly OddParents “The Kale Patch Caper” ; “Hare Raiser”

This thing needed to end. (more…)

[thenaturalnester]

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor, and I don’t pretend to be either.  This is just a post about what worked for us.  This is a post that is past due too.  I have several friends who are asking for help, especially at this time of year.  A couple years ago my son, age 3, developed a small patch of eczema behind one knee.  It developed out of nowhere, the day we returned from an annual vacation with my in laws.  When it first started it was the size of a dime, and I don’t think it got any bigger than a half dollar.  The problem was, in addition to this quarter sized, come and go again rash, he had a bloated come again go again belly.  While he didn’t really have potty issues, he tooted like a grown man (he is going to love me for this one when he grows up).  He had his first ear infection.  My mommy instinct knew this wasn’t right, especially since I have an older son with no issues like this to compare.  I knew what healthy looked like, and something wasn’t right.

Don’t get me wrong, he was still a very healthy kid.  He just wasn’t at the level of healthy I was used to.  Every time I think I have something figured out…I eat HUMBLE PIE.  How could my kid have eczema? I nursed him YEARS.  As in beyond 3.   We ALWAYS ate organic.  I mean, literally 98% of what we buy is organic.  I soaked and sprouted all my grains and beans, cooked from scratch, etc.  There weren’t any chemicals, dyes, none of that.  But 3 was far beyond the age when eczema normally develops.  Beyond the age of ear infections.  He was a ridiculously healthy baby and toddler.  Why all of a sudden?

Notice that little bloated belly? This is right when it started.  Lots of great vacations with lots of not so great food.  

  Most children, 75% as per studies, develop eczema from cow’s milk around the age of one year.  The other 15% is from wheat. 10% is the “other”, but usually part of the nasty nine that make up food allergies.  But unlike most families, ours makes a conscious effort to not drink cow’s milk period.  I don’t buy any dairy whatsoever.  So clearly that wasn’t the cause.  We don’t eat much wheat either, although not religiously.  I took my son for bloodwork, to several doctors, nothing showed up.  I was told by a pediatric allergist in Princeton that eczema behind the knees, on the back of the arms, and/or face was a definite reaction to food.  However, after extensive testing, no allergies ever showed up.  His conclusion was he was a healthy boy and a small spot of eczema was not a big deal.  Thanks.

I had a major issue with this.  There is this “trifecta” that all in the medical field know about.  Eczema, allergies, and asthma.  I didn’t want my child to have anything to do with that trifecta.  Doctors prescribe steroid creams to shut down a child’s immune system to make the rash go away.  This totally disrupts a child’s hormones.  What happens when this child is older?  What are the effects?  Skin discoloration? Is that all?  How about, FIND OUT WHAT THE HELL IS MAKING A HEALTHY CHILD HAVE A RASH?

I am have the utmost respect for physicians.  They dedicate a huge portion of their lives towards education in making people better.  While most of us are out living our lives, having fun, spending time with family; they are working long and hard hours selflessly.  Doctors are good.  They see so many diseases, viruses, disorders, bacterias, etc…I can see how in the scope of things, a small patch of eczema is harmless.  They are seeing things FAR FAR worse.  Some children have eczema that is severe enough they need steroids.  If my child’s eczema was causing him severe discomfort, I probably would do anything to give him relief.  His really wasn’t awful, or consistent…it just drove me crazy.  This blog is not to shame anyone for doing what is best for their baby nor doctors for giving some kids much needed relief.  Some are perfectly fine with a cream or a pill.  Everyone does what is right in their own hearts for their child.  For me, steroid cream was not an option.  I can see how it would be for others and how it would be for doctors.  I GET IT.  I was NUTS, HYSTERICAL, OBSESSED for months over this tiny little rash.  I literally went off the deep end trying to figure out what was different.  I kept food diaries, journals, you name it.  The problem was, it was a tiny patch that came and went.  It wasn’t even always there.  I was literally scoffed at by doctors for making such a big deal over it.  My brother, in med school at the time, said he was going to sneak in while he was sleeping and put a little hydrocortisone creme on it to stop the madness.

So to make a long story short, a few years back…I totally WHOLE THIRTIED my kid.  Actually my whole family.  Mind you I was raised a vegetarian.  I still haven’t eaten any meat at all.  The rest of my family sure does.  I do my very best to be sure I buy the highest quality, ethically raised food I can for them, that makes a big difference in comparison to factory farmed meats.  We eat lots of WILD fish, never farm raised.  I DID NOT RESTRICT carbs or sugar what so ever.  I would not in anyway, shape or form recommend cutting carbohydrates from a child’s diet. I simply followed the Whole 30 rules, kind of loosely. We never really ate much plain sugar, but I sweetened things with maple syrup or honey.  I did the best I could to keep him grain, dairy, and legume free.  I wanted my boy healthy.

 NO GRAINS.

 NO BEANS.  This includes soy and peanuts.  Peanuts are legumes, not nuts.

NO DAIRY

This sounds insane.  What is left, right?  My take on how to make this, and any other dietary change for that matter feasible is to ALWAYS FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN EAT, NOT WHAT YOU CANNOT.  After a few short days of doing this my son’s belly went from descended to flat.  No rash.  Gone.   Years later we still loosely follow this protocol.  Let me emphasize EXTREMELY loosely.  We do eat sprouted bread and whole sprouted grains a few times a week at this point.  It has been almost a full two years and he has not had any issues since.  Knock wood.

We eat whole foods.  My Jesseism on why this works is minimal exposure to genetically modified foods.  I cannot believe there is not a total UPROAR about what is going on with our food supply.  Kids are DYING from anaphylactic shock from mild allergies out of nowhere.  1 in 13 is thought to have a food allergy.  In a group of ten immediate friends, about half of the kids have food and/or seasonal allergies.  This is just my anecdotal observation.  My parents can’t even fathom this.  This was not the case with my generation, nor was it with theirs.

So this is for my friends out there and all the mommies and daddies who are not cool with steroid cremes and medications.  Those who have reached out to me and are on a mission.  I found this super easy after a month or so.  Here are 10 go to breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks.  Keep in mind, my kids literally will eat anything.  I rotate meals like crazy.  This ISN’T really necessary.

As long as it is approached with a child as, “we are going to eat these healthy foods to make your skin feel better”, it doesn’t really matter if a child eats the same one or two meals for breakfast everyday.  Keep in mind if a child has a nut allergy, there are always alternatives. I listed some below, but feel free to ask questions in comments.  Make sure the child knows why they are eating certain foods.  If possible, take kids to an apple orchard, grocery store, farm, berry picking, grow veggies…it peeks their interest in the food itself.

  BREAKFAST

 Fried Eggs and Plaintains

Grain Free Granola (all nuts and/or seeds) with Bananas and Coconut Milk– This is our “cereal”.  I buy Trader Joe’s Grain Free Granola, or I grind up pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.  Add a dairy free milk of choice, a fruit,  a little honey.  YUM.

Sweet Potato Toast with Nut Butter-Loads of Pinterest ideas on this one.

Chia Seed Pudding with Fruit

Turkey Bacon and Roasted Potatoes

Grain Free Pancakes-Eggs blended with banana, or squash, or plantains and fried. Again, a simple Pinterest search and there are lots of recipes.  I don’t even follow the recipes, I put everything in the blender, add milk until its the right consistency, and cook over low heat.  The low heat is KEY.

Coconut  or Almond Yogurt with Nuts, Seeds, and or Fruit

Whitefish Salad or Smoked Salmon with Tomato with Scallions and Capers and Grain Free Crackers

Flax Seed Pudding with Berries

Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup or Pumpkin Butter and Chicken Sausage

LUNCH

 Hard Boiled Eggs with Carrots and Guacamole

Organic Turkey Roll Ups with Grain Free Crackers and Coconut Cheese

Salmon Salad with Diced Carrots, Scallions, and Celery

Tuna Salad with Diced Celery, Scallions, and Dried Cranberries

Chicken Soup-I use cauliflower rice in ours and potatoes in ours.

Cauliflower Rice Sushi

Apple and Sunbutter or Nutbutter Sandwiches

Organic Hot Dogs and French Fries

Chop Salad with Nuts and/or Protein of Choice

Salmon Burgers, Fresh Veggies, Sweet Potato Fries

DINNER

This is easy.  This protein and veggies.  Every night. These are some of my family’s favorites.

 Roasted Chicken and Vegetables 

Sautéed Chicken Sausage, Peppers, Onions, Spaghetti Squash

Sautéed Flounder in Lemon, Thyme, and Capers with Spinach and Mash Potatoes.

Grilled Mahi Mahi Collard Wrap Tacos, cabbage lime cilantro slaw, cauliflower rice and sweet potato salad.

Grass fed Burgers, French Fries, Roasted Veggies

Seafood Cioppino over Zucchini Noodles

Wild Shrimp, Onions, Garlic, Spinach, Zucchini Noodles

Grilled Scallop Kabobs with Vegetables

Zucchini, Onions, Tomatoes, Ground Turkey with Spaghetti Squash

Coconut Milk Curried Vegetables and/or Protein of Choice

SNACKS

 Plantain Chips or Banana Chips

Grain Free Crackers

Trader Joe’s Handful of Nut Packs

Coconut/Almond Milk Yogurt or Rubie Rockets

ANY FRUIT with Nut Butter

Roasted Seaweed

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Smoothies

Larabars or Homemade “Fudge Babies”

Apple Sauce and Veggie Pouches

Potato Chips, Kale Chips, Broccolli Bites, etc.  Any chip that doesn’t have grains or beans.

  *If a nut allergy is an issue, the following substitutions can be made:

NUT BUTTER-Sunbutter (I love Trader Joe’s despite the added sugar, it is minimal and makes a HUGE difference in taste.)

MILK-Rice, Hemp, or Flax Milk

ANY NUT-Sub Hemp, Chia, Flax, or Sunflower Seeds

COCONUT OIL-Ghee

YOGURT-Rice Milk Yogurt

The good news is little man can pretty much eat anything at this point without that rash appearing.  So after following this strictly for about 10 months, we reached the point where he can occasionally eat whatever he wants with very little issues.  In simpler terms, I still loosely follow this protocol as mentioned above, but when we are out to eat, at a party, etc…he eats things like pizza without the cheese, grass-fed burgers with buns, etc. I do occasionally buy wheat from ITALY, because that does not bother my husband or son. Italy has banned genetically modified foods, this may be why.  We realized this after my husband noticing a local brick oven pizza place didn’t bother him at all.  The wheat was from Italy and fermented three days.  Non-GMO!!!

What I am UBER strict over is dairy.  His ear infections were on the holidays, literally Christmas and the day after Easter.  I let my kids eat whatever they want on the holidays, but after making this very easy correlation, we stay CLEAR of dairy.  Ear infections suck.  Totally not worth it.  He doesn’t even want anything to do with it himself.  Smart boy.

I shared what I have done with adults, and adults with children.  Each I shared with who followed religiously have had successes.  In fact, some husbands who simply followed what their wives and children were eating figured out how allergic to some foods they actually were, without even actively trying!  A site that has a plethora of information regarding ECZEMA is solveeczema.org  This mama was on such a mission, she is actually being published in several medical journals.  There are two types of Eczema, and she addresses how to figure out which your child has.  Some children actually have BOTH types.

I really hope this information helps some loved ones, sorry it so overdue!

    How We Said Goodbye to Eczema with the WHOLE FOODS Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor, and I don't pretend to be either.  This is just a post about what worked for us.  

[fountainpenguin]

Shout out to Chloe Carmichael for being a sweet, responsible girl who once nailed Crocker's bed to the ceiling, broke into Timmy's house to steal a toy, and straight-up told the megalomaniac child she was babysitting that if he wanted to set things on fire she was cool with looking the other way

[fountainpenguin]

I wanna talk about how the only reason Chloe Carmichael hasn’t dropped out of school, gotten a tattoo, taken out her own eye, and gone on a crime spree is the fact that she has fairy godparents who are helping her keep her life on track

She really does a good job of not showing on the outside how much she struggles on the inside and that’s really telling of both her and the godparenting agency who sent her Cosmo and Wanda, I think. Just because she doesn’t look like a miserable kid at first glance doesn’t mean she isn’t one inside.