Quick Tips :-)

Is Sunscreen A MUST??

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment
Sweet Summertime

I try NOT to use sunscreen. Yup, I said it. If I can, I avoid sunscreen. Wanna know why? 

So often, we’re reminded that the sun is a cause of cancer. But, what isn’t talked about enough is the harmful ingredients in some sunscreens. We’ve learned in recent years that some ingredients in sunscreens are known carcinogens and are harming our health more than the actual sun. I also want to get Vitamin D, and recent research shows that early morning sunlight helps to boost vitamin D, which helps boost immune function. 

If you go out in the sun enough, you do need to wear sunscreen, and I do sometimes, but not always. It’s important to know when to wear sunscreen and what’s in the sunscreen.  It’s also important to have a bag full of tricks when you decide not to use sunscreen. I know not using sunscreen goes against EVERYTHING we’ve been told… but hear me out. I’m not saying never… just, not always. 

I work with the sun… I wear hats, I wear lightweight clothing, I wear sunglasses, and I change where I sit and if I face the sun depending on the time of day and the amount of time I’m going to be spending in the sun. I want to get a healthy amount of sun but I don’t want to get too much. 

Screenshot 2024-03-19 at 4.26.19 PMWhen I do use sunscreen, I buy non-nano zinc based products. Remember the days of white noses at the beach when we were growing up? (Ah, the nostalgia.)  Well, you can get that same protection without the white nose, and NONE of the toxic carcinogens! I can’t tell you how easy it is to forget you have sunscreen on with this non-nano zinc based sunscreen from Crunchi. * It goes on as smooth as lotion, no tacky, white paste like other zinc based products. The ingredients in Sunlight Body SPF will actually help nourish your skin. You will be amazed at how much you love this sunscreen!! And, if you need something for everyday face protection, we have a facial SPF also!  

 

Why is non-nano Zinc Oxide such a good option for sun protection? 

Non-nano Zinc Oxide sits on top of the skin and reflects UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the aging rays of the sun. UVB rays are the ones that burn your skin. Zinc oxide protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Studies have reported that zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreen products can penetrate the skin, posing a risk of biological damage to humans and entering waterways, potentially harming marine life. 

Here are a few simple rules to follow when you spend time in the sun:

    • Apply and reapply sunscreen if you’re out in the sun all day. Crunchi’s Sunlight has 80 minutes of waterproof protection. 
    • USE A NON-TOXIC SUNSCREEN, non-nano Zinc based products are my fave. (see link above 😉 ) 
    • Put on a hat with a big brim.
    • Children under 6 months are not supposed to use sunscreen, so, keep them in the shade or use a full body swimsuit.
    • Avoid the sun between 10a-2p (this is when the sun is the strongest). 
    • Cover up with clothing.
    • Keep in mind that young children put everything in their mouth, so don’t put sunscreen on their hands.
    • Remember that even under an umbrella at the beach or pool, the sun reflects off the sand and the water, you still need to apply and reapply.
    • If you take medication, make sure this doesn’t cause increased sensitivity to the sun. (i.e. tetracycline, retinol).
    • Stay hydrated!

So, with those little tidbits of information, I hope you find creative ways to get outside to enjoy the sun, and stay healthy. If you want help finding other toxin free skincare products, please email me at katiepinktolley@gmail.com. Helping friends decrease their toxic load is what I do best!! 😊

As always,  Enjoy the Journey, friends! 

 

*affiliate link. 

Mom’s Healthy Snacks #1 – Pears w/ Cinnamon

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / 1 Comment

If you are like me, you are always looking for a healthy snack for the kids.

So, I’ve decided to post healthy snack ideas for us all to enjoy.

One of Joshua’s favorites is Pears with Cinnamon!

There is no secret to figuring this one out. Just cut up a pear, and sprinkle a little Cinnamon Sugar on it. (You can do the same thing with apples.)

IMG_1585

Pears are not only a tasty snack, but great for overall health. Pears are a great source of fiber (6 gms), Vitamin C (7mg), Vitamin A (38 IU), and potassium (190 mg). The fiber is great for keeping the GI track and bowels moving. The Vitamins A & C are great for the immune system. These vitamins are also good for skin, eyes, bones, cardiovascular health, and preventing cancer. Potassium is good for many things, but most of all it is good for the heart! What is the benefit of the cinnamon? According to some sources, cinnamon may reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and may be a good antioxidant as well. Most of us have discovered  that cinnamon is also good for moving the bowels. 😉

Pears with a sprinkle of cinnamon are a great snack. Healthy and Tasty all in one!

So, the next time you are looking for a healthy snack for your kiddos, think about cutting up a pear and sprinkling a little cinnamon on it. You and the kids will be glad you did!

Hope you are enjoying the journey! 

Small Dose #13 – Getting the “Wild Things” back to a Sleep Routine

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment

HI! I wanted to write a short post to help you get those kiddos back into a bedtime routine before school starts.

It’s fun to hang with the “Wild Things” during the summer!

If you are anything like us, your kids have had a liberal or non-existant sleep schedule during summer. That is one of the fun things about summer when you are a kid!!

I recommend getting back into some sort of routine 1 -2 weeks before school actually starts. Kids don’t automatically just go to bed at 8:30 if they have been able to stay up until 10:00 for a few months.

So, here is my advice for getting things back on schedule:

1. Start your kids on a consistent bedtime. Pick whatever their average bedtime has been.

2. Every 2-3 nights make that bedtime earlier by 15 or 20 minutes, i.e.: start at 10pm a few nights, after 2 nights make it 9:45, then a few nights later make it 9:30, etc…

3. Turn the TV OFF!! If I teach you nothing else, please understand how important it is for kids to have about an hour of “No Screens” before they go to bed. They can look at a book, take a warm bath, play quietly in their room, anything that is relaxing for them. NO TV, ipad, Computer, video games, etc. This is the perfect opportunity to get them back into reading.

4. Make the routine before bed consistent. I’ve mentioned my “bath, book, bed” mantra in my blog on sleep. Kids function best when they have a consistent routine.

5. Tell ’em you love ’em, xoxo, and then it’s Lights Out!

For more information on kid’s sleep, please check out my blog Sleep is Crucial for Healthy Development.

I hope you and your family have enjoyed the summer and have been able to spend some quality family time together.

Remember, it’s all about Enjoying the Journey!! 😉

Small Dose #10 – Take it back…

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment

Have you ever said something and then immediately thought, I wish I could take that back?? I’m guessing your answer is Yes! 

We have all had those moments when we wish we could take back something we said.  I was chatting with a friend yesterday about the unfortunate reality that kids say things before they think, at least ours do. She introduced me to a cool parenting concept she calls “Take Backs”.    

Kellie told me when her kids say something that is inappropriate or out of line, she will look at them and give them a chance to take it back.  Her kids get only 1 “take back” a day. This gives them a chance to think about what they have said. If the behavior continues, all bets are off, and it’s mean mom time… Mean Moms are the best Moms is a post I wrote a few weeks ago. Mean Mom techniques are crucial for raising responsible, independent kids.

I think “take backs” is a wonderful idea. What a progressive, 21st century parenting tip, and it works!! If you ever met her kids, you would know they are being raised by a pretty good (single) mom. She says as a single mom she has to set guidelines, and stick to them. Her kids know that she means what she says! I think giving kids an opportunity to think about what they have said helps them learn to take some responsibility, and helps them build confidence and self esteem.

I thought this was a great idea, and wanted to share it with all of you! I think it could be especially helpful for my impulsive ADHD’er! I’ll be sure to share a few of her other secrets in future posts.

Good luck along your journey, and remember, we all say things we wish we could take back. Maybe focusing on this “take backs” concept will help our children actually think before they speak…Now wouldn’t that be nice! 😉

Small Dose #8 – April Fool’s from Our “Out of the Box” Thinker!

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment

(There was a picture here with about 15 toilet paper rolls inside my husbands pillowcase that said, “You just got pranked…”, I guess it was “inappropriate” because it has disappeared from my post) 😦

After tonight’s post about ADHD and how creative these “out of the box” thinker’s can be, I knew I needed to share this!!

Tonight, when my husband went to bed, this is what he found….

His pillowcase was stuffed full of toilet paper rolls with a note from Joshua…

“You just got PRANKED… April Fool’s!”

Hahahahahaha, I told you this kid keeps us on our toes!!!

Gotta love the creativity!!

Happy April Fool’s Day to you and your family!

I hope your journey is just as exciting as ours! 😛

Small Dose #7 – A little TLC goes a long way!

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment

When your child is sick, the most important thing you can do is be there!!

Last night when Drew Elizabeth was vomiting, even though I am a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I couldn’t do anything…..except BE THERE & LOVE HER! Just being there beside her between the bouts of vomiting made all the difference in the world. Most of the time, Children tolerate illness better than adults. Children don’t know what to expect when they are sick. If  parents can be brave, strong, supportive and loving, it makes their children brave and strong.

The one thing we all want to do when our children are sick is make them better. This usually isn’t possible, most illnesses will last a certain amount of time no matter what we do as parents.Trust that your support can fix it just a little bit. So, as you travel along this unbelievable journey, remember how important a little TLC can be! 😉

Just being there and holding their hand makes all the difference in the world!

Small Dose #6 – Medication Conversions

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment

I felt it was necessary to provide a resource of medication conversions based on my last post about Medication Safety. Children depend on their parents to keep them safe and healthy. Don’t let them down!

1/4 tsp = 1.25cc

1/2 tsp = 2.5 cc

3/4 tsp = 3.75 cc

1 tsp = 5 cc

1 tbsp = 15 cc

1 oz = 30cc

cc = ml (same thing, different label)

I urge you to take the administration of medication very seriously, your child’s life depends on it! Do not give medications frequently unless advised by your child’s health care provider.

There is just so much to learn and be responsible for on this Parenting journey! It really does take a village! 😉

Small Dose #5 – Don’t just say it, live it!!

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / 4 Comments

Be an example for your children!

Children watch and learn from the adults in their life.

Do not judge other’s for their differences, but embrace what makes us all unique! 

SMILE!

Be kind to others, and teach your children to treat others the way they want to be treated!

Say “Hello” to passersby.

Encourage your children to help those in need.

We all need to come together in our own community to make it a better place for our children’s future.

Volunteer in your community and encourage your children to do the same!

SPENDING TIME with your child is the MOST VALUABLE thing you can do for them,

and the one thing they WANT and NEED most in this world!

Don’t just say it, live it! 


“Spring Forward” without meltdowns…. Help your child adjust to the Time Change

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / 5 Comments

If you have a baby or small child, it maybe painfully obvious that they don’t tell time! 

So, How can you help your little one adjust to the time change? 

Children have a difficult time changing schedules, especially by an entire hour. When babies in the hospital need schedule changes, the change is made in small time increments.

Try to change your child’s schedule by 15 minutes at a time each day.

For example, if dinner is usually at 6:00, keep in mind 6:00 is now 7:00. Waiting an extra hour for food is way too long for a little one. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how quickly a hungry or tired child can have a meltdown. 😉 You could have dinner at 5:15 the first day, 5:30 the second day, 5:45 the third day, and by the fourth day, dinner is at 6:00 again. If you have the opportunity, spend a few days at each new time before moving on. Keep in mind, bedtime is now an hour later, which means they may wake an hour earlier than you plan if you don’t help them adjust. It may be that your child is off schedule enough that it is more difficult to wake them in the morning, small changes can help. If you have little ones that don’t go to school, this is much easier. If you have a little one that has to get up and go to school or daycare, you may have more of a challenge. If you need to be back on schedule by Monday (only 2 days away), you can force the change a little quicker by changing things by 30 minutes vs 15 minutes. It will not be as smooth of an adjustment, but it should be helpful.

Filling the time before meals with small healthy snacks such as fruit or veggies to help hold them over until the new dinnertime can be helpful too.

I learned early along my parenting journey that the time change can wreak havoc on a child with a good schedule. Good parenting involves schedules, so most kids will have some adjustment to make.  I hope this info makes “Springing forward” easier for your family! Good luck and I hope you are Enjoying the Journey! 🙂

Small Dose #4- Speak up!!

/ Katie P. Tolley, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC / Leave a comment

 If you observe children teasing or bullying, speak up…. kids depend on adults to help them and protect them. Bullying can severely impact a child’s self esteem. Teach your child to be kind to others, and expect the same in return! Tell your children to report bullying to you or another trusted adult. It’s going to take adult interference to stop bullying! So, while on this journey we call parenthood SPEAK UP & INTERFERE!!