It's incredible how we see our children come good when slight changes are made. It's not true that it's too hard for us to make these changes. It's really not. Even if it is a BIT hard, the effort is totally worth it. My son Jude, as an example, has just turned 5. I made changes to his diet almost 2 years ago which had dramatic, almost instant improvement to his behaviour. I was very strict with what he was allowed to eat and he adapted to this very well. I was honest with him, telling him why he was not allowed to eat those foods when he asked for it at the supermarket. I usually went shopping on my own when I could to avoid tantrums in the shops, therefore only having 'safe food' at home available for him to eat. Additive free shopping is a lot easier now than it used to be. I have found a lot of brands now changing their recipes to cater for the growing number of parents jumping on the additive free living bandwagon. I only allow Schwepps Natural Lemonade in the 1.25lt or 2lt bottles, the cans still have preservative added. There are ways around favourite foods not being available additive free. For instance, I make my own garlic bread by crushing my own garlic into a knob of real butter and spreading it onto halved hamburger buns from the Bakers Delight, then grilled. Or make my own sausage rolls. I also use Sue Dengate's recipe for 'Magic Lemonade' syrup (1Tsp citric acid and 1cup sugar dissolved into 1 cup of boiling water) and mix with water then pour into iceblock moulds. We eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (although vegetables are not as readily eaten but always on their plate) and breakfast is weet-bix or toast, with yogurt or fruit and diluted juice.
I'm not perfect but I always attempt to offer the best choices in additive free food so my children grow up understanding good food choices so than be healthy. My son said last month that "those people must have eaten A LOT of 'sometimes' food" - we were watching an episode of 2012 Biggest Loser Australia. Now that's over, we watch Masterchef instead, they are also learning from watching it. Once they grow up, it's too late to teach them what they should and shouldn't eat. Anyway, now that we are eating additive free there are a lot less tantrums and less arguments, less defiance and more cooperation. I believe in this approach because I am convinced the additives in food Jude used to eat had a huge impact on his behaviour. If you're not sure you believe me, give it a go. It will be easier than you think. Even the 'junk' food has additive free options. Choose plain chips, pretzels, make your own popcorn, there are some corn chips with natural cheese flavouring but I can't remember the brand, and the Natural Confectionary Company lollies are great - mine love the fruit chews.
So good on you if you are already doing it, give it a try if you haven't yet.
Send me an email or make a comment if you have questions.
All the best.

THE LIST

This is THE LIST of colours to rule out. These are only the colours. If you want more info before i get time to post it please email me.

E102 - Tartrazine. Found in Fairyfloss (cotton candy), pastries, cakes, biscuits, caramel, ice cream cones, cocktail onions, gherkins, pickles, chocolates, butterscotch, liquorice, jelly beans, jelly babies, and flavoured mineral water, soda and alcohol.

E104 - Quinoline. Found in lollies, liquorice, lemon sherbet, flavoured soda, MOUTHWASH and MEDICATIONS.

E110 - Sunset Yellow. Found in cakes, biscuits, flavoured mineral water, custard mixes, chocolates, jelly babies, ice-creams, iceblocks, meat pies, pizza.

E122 - Carmoisine. Found in prawn crackers, flavoured milk, sundaes, ice-cream, cordials, jam rolls, biscuits, lollies, marshmallows, musksticks, strawberry topping.

E124 - Ponceau 4R. Found in jam, curry paste, ice-cream, flavoured milk, instant pudding, Turkish Delight, chocolates, musksticks, jelly beans, jelly babies, pizza.

E129 - Allura Red. Found in custard powder, chocolates, lollies, chewing gum, flavoured alcohol, milkshakes, sundaes, muesli bars, glazed cherries and MEDICATIONS.

Is Ionized Water Safe?

Water is a covalent compoud. It contains Hydrogen and Oxygen which are both nonmetals. Water is an example of a neutral oxide compound. Ionized water (created by adding a substance which alters the natural state of H2O) is more alkaline therefore helping the body be in a normal, slightly alkaline pH level.
This is good for us because there are so many pollutants in tap water and from other sources causing our bodies to reside in a level of acidic pH that is above its natural state, perhaps we need extra help in that area.
It has been stated by some that alkaline water is a way of increasing one's lifespan and decreasing the risk of cancer. Those who made these claims were neither doctors or scientists....
Our bodies get rid of acid by ehaling carbon dioxide. Therefore, if we breathe (as we all do) do we really need ionized (alkaline) water to help regain the acid/alkaline balance?
The health benefits of alkaline water is not supported by scientific evidence as yet so it is really a personal choice whether to go do this path or not. There are companies who manufacture products claiming to ionize your drinking water and you can also get your hands on an electrolysis machine which will do the same job. I should mention however that It may all be hype and gimmick as through my research on the subject I found a fact that may help you make the decision in a more informed way. Pure water cannot be ionized without a metal component. As mentioned earlier, water is made up of 2 nonmetals (hydrogen and oxygen) a metal component such as sodium, calcium or magnesium must be added for ionization to occur, therefore, creating an alkaline result.
In conclusion, i do not believe ionised water to be harmful in any way but it is yet to be proved that it is beneficial. In relation to keeping our kids additive free, ionized water would not be a problem.
Although, as i always say "read the label" of any product. If you decide to use alkaline water at home please read the ingredients carefully of any additives used to "ionize" your drinking water.
Thanks for visiting. I hope this was helpful. Stay tuned for more at additive-free-kids
Veronica Frost  

Artificial colours - Are we colour blind to our kids needs?

Australian nutritionists and child welfare groups are hoping artificial food colourings will be phased out, as they have been in Britain. These types of additives have been consistently linked to hyperactivity in children globally.
There are 4 supermarket chains in Australia who have chosen to eliminate products containing these ingredients from their shelves. The most reliable of these is the chain ALDI. They reliably supply grocery items that do not contain artificial colourings and I have personally found ALDI stores to supply food that also do not contain artificial flavours or preservatives. Not all products are additive free though so remember to read the ingredients on the packaging.
Note: I will be writing a list of additives to avoid according to Sue Dengate's book "Fed Up". All artificial food colourings and flavourings are to be avoided and all preservatives. Also the NATURAL food colouring 160b is on the black list as one of the worst offenders.
Seen in an article in the Sun-Herald (Australia) 26.09.10 the government agency FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND states that there is not enough evidence to ban artificial food colourings from our supermarket shelves.
The colourings in questions are named and shamed below:

E102 - Tartrazine. Found in Fairyfloss (cotton candy), pastries, cakes, biscuits, caramel, ice cream cones, cocktail onions, gherkins, pickles, chocolates, butterscotch, liquorice, jelly beans, jelly babies, and flavoured mineral water, soda and alcohol.

E104 - Quinoline. Found in lollies, liquorice, lemon sherbet, flavoured soda, MOUTHWASH and MEDICATIONS.

E110 - Sunset Yellow. Found in cakes, biscuits, flavoured mineral water, custard mixes, chocolates, jelly babies, ice-creams, iceblocks, meat pies, pizza.

E122 - Carmoisine. Found in prawn crackers, flavoured milk, sundaes, ice-cream, cordials, jam rolls, biscuits, lollies, marshmallows, musksticks, strawberry topping.

E124 - Ponceau 4R. Found in jam, curry paste, ice-cream, flavoured milk, instant pudding, Turkish Delight, chocolates, musksticks, jelly beans, jelly babies, pizza.

E129 - Allura Red. Found in custard powder, chocolates, lollies, chewing gum, flavoured alcohol, milkshakes, sundaes, muesli bars, glazed cherries and MEDICATIONS.

This is not an exhaustive list of course. You need to read the labels yourself. If you're new to this, I suggest looking at the ingredients list on every product you pick up. If you see lots of numbers then it's likely to have artificial ingredients.

Please bookmark my page and share with your friends using the 'share' button and look out for my next post all about Flavour Enhancers.

Thanks, happy families!
Veronica

RSPCA NSW Blog: Have you ever bought a puppy from a pet store or you suspect, from a puppy factory?

RSPCA NSW Blog: Have you ever bought a puppy from a pet store or you suspect, from a puppy factory?

I am an animal lover. If you are too, do your bit.

Animal welfare Queensland Floods

Animal welfare activists urge Australia to let evacuees take pets - Monsters and Critics

Junior Masterchef Audrey

PayBox

PayBox

Try Not To Laugh. Fail-a-thon.

YouTube - Dogs 101: Border Collie

YouTube - Dogs 101: Border Collie: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4395MP614Q"

Watch this great video about border collies, a great family dog.

www.australianpetresorts.com has heaps of useful info on travelling with pets too!

YouTube - Breed All About It - Australian Cattle Dog

YouTube - Breed All About It - Australian Cattle Dog

Also see www.australianpetresorts.com for more get pet accommodation information!

The Frost Retort: An Uluru sunset.

The Frost Retort: An Uluru sunset.: "I recently visited Uluru in the Northern Territory of Australia.Watch this grand and massive rock dramatically change as the sunset, sets. 4..."

Australian Pet Resorts

I have a new website. www.australianpetresorts.com
Being a young mother of 2 children I understand the ups and downs of family life. I also know from experience that life can be dramatically improved by the addition of a family pet. Given that the chosen pet suits you and your family, doesn't have any behavioural issues and is already toilet trained. I recommend purchasing a rescued animal rather than one from a pet shop. Only because of the threat of puppy-mills which need to be stamped out. They are beyond cruel. So quite often the choice you make when you chose a new pet can directly affect the first few months they spend in their new home environment.
If your family is planning a trip soon after acquiring your pet, you might like to consider placing them with a pet resort. There are many boarding kennels which offer excellent services to care for your pet while you are away.
Also available are specialist pet resorts. These facilities provide a much more complete service which can include obedience training, luxury accommodations, on-call veterinarian, cater to special diets, beautiful surrounds and experienced carers who all have their own pets too.
To find out where the closest pet resort is to you, visit www.australianpetresorts.com
We also review great pet products and provide useful information for all things relating to pets and travel.
The website will be updated regularly with new information so don't forget to check in with us each time you plan a holiday!

Shopping a la octopus

What could be worse than going shopping on your own with 2 toddlers? Going shopping on your own with 2 tired, hungry, disobedient toddlers - that's what. I thought it would be nice to take the kids out to Borders for playgroup this morning. We usually go with a couple of friends but today they weren't joining us.

I had to run an errand on the way. I drove around Hamilton for 20mins looking for a park. I ended up a block away, around the corner and down the street. I had to lug both kids and the pram into the optometrist, which only had steps and no ramp. Very short sighted of them don’t you think? Not wanting to stay in the pram, my son Jude (3) proceeded to explore the shop, pulling as many glasses frames from the displays as he dared then coming to model the latest looks for me while I paid and pretended I wasn’t bothered by his behaviour. It was very cute but embarrassing. Luckily he didn't break anything.

With that job done, off we went to Westfield Kotara. By this time, they just wanted to get there, no child likes waiting. After discovering there wasn't much left to do at the book shop as a result of arriving late, both my kids turned to pulling all the books off the shelves. Little Mr. Men books strewn all over the floor, Thomas The Tank Engine box ripped open and a jar of link-a-do thingies tipped upside down all pointing towards Mummy’s melting point. I tried, I tried. First trying to stop the book spilling, trying to tidy up their mess while they went on to destroy the next thing. Aaarrrggggh!

I'd had enough and strapped them kicking and screaming into the double pram then promptly left the shop, not looking back to see the staff rolling their eyes disapprovingly.

So time to eat. They were hungry so that went well. No complaints there. Unfortunately my attempt to leave the centre failed miserably. En route to the car park was the playground. I was so stressed I wasn't thinking straight.

Upon realizing my horrid mistake, I made a choice. Let them play. To avoid another tantrum I ruled that we were to have 5 minutes play before going home. Everyone was happy, until.....it was inevitable really. I should have just walked straight past and dealt with the complaints. It was harder in the end to get them out of the playground and back into the pram. By this time of course they were over-tired which made things even worse.

Eventually we were on our way home. Baby goes to sleep in the car? Check. Toddler whines all the way home? Check. Fed? Check. Successful trip to the shops without spending money or making a detour to the pet shop? Check.

Happy to be home? Double check.