Butternut & Stinging Nettle

So oddly last night as I headed off to bed I felt an odd dryness in my throat...woke up to nurse the lil guy and it was painfully there. Perhaps my allergies are kicking up again or could it be my toddler's fingers constantly in my face. =)
That brings to mind my midwife appointment last week where she cracked, "Well we do live in Utah," in lue of my son's wheezing which he creates when he is excited due to small airways in his nostrils. I irritatingly chuckled along with the crack. The truth is this is a huge reason why we are moving from Utah and specifically the Salt Lake Area. My neighbor went to a live green fest when i was at the doctors a couple weeks back and ran into some gals i have been meaning to get to know on a first name basis the Utah Moms for Clean Air. Also, I want to meet the physicians they associate with [Utah Physicians for Healthy Environment]. Here's a quick story about all that:

Back in August when we were moving here my son came down with a 'cold.' I am all for my child getting his bearings int eh world on his own and getting ill when it is in need as to build antibodies, but. Not when he is sick continually for 3 to 4 months straight. I kept going into the pediatrician and kept hearing that there was nothing to be done. Never once was it mentioned to me that we were living in highly polluted area that get incredibly toxic during the winter months when inversions play their part. I too came down with a serious sinus infection and learn for the first time that I was allergic to something outside and inside my house, and something definitely in Utah, This doctor said so was my son. Being pregnant she suggested that after my baby was born to get an allergy test. So my son and I went back to Colorado to visit family in the mountains and magically my son was better. Coincidence, I think not. We then traveled to California and road tripped to Seattle, Wa. When we returned I was on top of making sure we didn't get sick because the last thing i wanted was to be in labor and be ill. We made it. However, now.....

ok so regardless. Today has been the day dedicated to Stinging Nettle Tea and Foods to help with environmental toxins...kinda, because mama likes cheese and I am gonna have cheese on my meal.

Info on Stinging Nettle and Allergies:

...according to pg 133 ofPrescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Bach, CNC 

In low doses, stinging nettle root extract increases the production of T cells, immune cells that act as a controlling mechanism on other immune cells that cause allergic reactions. Stinging nettle root extracts increase the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), which increases the production of new T cells and sensitizes existing T cells to respond to IL-2. A Clinical study with sixty-nine participants at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, found that stinging nettle was more effective than placebo in treating allergic rhinitis. Nettle leaf has become a popular treatment for allergies. This is probably due to its anti-inflammatory properties. If taken before a meal, nettle leaf is very effective for people with certain food sensitivities.

My tea consists of super strength stinging nettle and peppermint while sweetened with local honey.....Cuz that is one thing Utah is gonna help you out with if you are allergic to the place. Beehive it up!

Here is a list of foods to help lil ones with environmental toxins, it is on my list of first foods that I compiled from multiple sources:

YES                                                   ORGANIC                                                         NO
Dr. Sears 1st Foods Rice Cereal Peach Barley Cereal Apple Sauce Banana Carrot Pear Squash Avocado Sweet Potato Least-Allergenic Foods apples                                                    apricots asparagus                                           avocados barley                                                         beets broccoli                                                    carrots cauliflower                                              chicken cranberries                                                dates grapes                                                      honey lamb                                                         lettuce mangoes                                                      oats papayas                                                peaches pears                                                             poi raisins                                                           rice rye                                                   safflower oil salmon                                                    squash sunflower oil                               sweet potatoes turkey                                                           veal	Food Allergies Avoid feeding allergenic foods while stomach immature (ESPECIALLY 1st YEAR) or inflamed (antibiotics, illnesses, or chemical irritants). For families with strong history of food allergies: First YEAR no milk, soy, or wheat TWO YEARS no Eggs Three Years No Peanuts, Tree Nuts, or Fish Most-Allergenic Foods berries                                               buckwheat chocolate                                            cinnamon citrus fruits                                             coconut corn                                              dairy products egg whites                                             mustard nuts                                                             peas peanut butter                                               pork shellfish                                                         soy sugar                                                   tomatoes wheat                                                         yeast
Dr. Greene’s 1st Foods Red: Beets- Vit A, B1, B2, B6 and C; calcium,         magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium         and iron. Orange: Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and         Squash- Vit A Yellow: Banana- Vit B6, Vit C, Potassium, Fiber Green: Broccoli- (nutrient powerhouse) once         for once more calcium than a glass of         milk, more vit C than an Orange;         Avocado: (25 essential nutrients)- fiber,         potassium, vit E, B vit, Folic Acid, healthy         monounsaturated fat Blue: Blueberries- fiber, phytochemicals, vit C,         Antioxidants Probiotics: Evidence that probiotics given to babies or to their pregnant and nursing mamas my help prevent allergic reactions Spices And Herbs-among some of the healthiest foods, Help develop healthy taste preference Turmeric- Curcumin found in Turmeric destroys cancer-causing                      cells, powerful  antioxidants, anti-inflammatory                  effects, natural environmental protection Cinnamon              Ginger             Rosemary          Oregano	Juice NO-Before 6 months No nutritional value at this age. Reduced intake of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals found in breastmilk. Excessive juice consumption in childhood has been linked to both obesity and short stature in children. YES- older than 6 months Juice in a cup NOT IN A BOTTLE (promote tooth decay). No more than 4-6 oz per day through age 6 and then no more than 12 oz per day. JUICE YOUR JUICE AND KEEP IT ORGANIC General Rules -Stay away from Processed foods: Chemical additives, less nutritious than fresh, stay away from brominated veg. oils (BVO), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), caffeine, MSG, Propyl Gallate, Guinine, Saccharin, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite, sulfrites, and artificial colors and flavors. -No artificial sweeteners Calorie reducers don’t have a place in a baby’s diet -Organic Thicker Husk, Leaves or Skins protect against Pesticides: Bananas, Avocados, Melons -Peel Conventional Produce -Varied Diet -Limit Animal Fat (Excluding Dairy Products) Fat is where chemicals (Antibiotics, pesticides…) are stored. Trim Fat. Keep portions of Chicken, Beef, and Pork Small. OUT OF BABY’S DIET -Unpasteurized dairy products, juice, or cider -Smoked or Cured Meats (Hot Dogs, Bologna, and Bacon)= High in Fat, Cholesterol, Nitrates, and chemicals -Smoked Fish! -Fish containing High levels of Mercury or in contaminated water: Shark, King Mackerel, Tuna (Canned has less) Tilefish. Catch freshwater fish recreationally limiting to 2 oz per week -Raw Fish -Food or Beverages containing caffeine or related compounds (Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, Cocoa) -Imitation Foods -Herbal Teas (Talk to doctor) -Alcoholic beverages -Tap water (contaminated with Lead, PCBs, and other hazardous materials) -Vitamin supplements
What to Expect: The First Year 4-6 Months Rice Cereal 6 Months Barley Cereal                     Oat Cereal Apple Sauce                      Banana Pear                                   Peach Pea                                    Carrot Green Bean                      Sweet Potato Squash 7-8 Months Chicken                             Turkey Lamb                                 Beef Avocado                            Egg Yolk 9 Months Yogurt (Whole Milk)          Cheese Pasta                                 Beans Tofu Foods Protecting Against Environmental Toxins Broccoli                            Brussels Sprouts Cauliflower                       Cabbage Cooked Dried Peas and Beans Carrots                             Pumpkin Sweet Potatoes               Cantaloupe Whole grains                    Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

So surprisingly this evenings meal was a Butternut Squash Feta Burger. Butternut squash is high in Vitamin A. This powerful anti-oxidant helps maintain function of mucus membranes. The natural poly-phenolic flavonoid break down Vitamin A so it is useful in protecting the body. Check out the USDA on this bad boy.

Anywho. I used the recipe Veggie Mama has for Pumpkin Feta Burgers and replace pumpkin with Butternut Squash. Butternut Squash and pumpkin are in the same family.
I was bad and added butter to my bun and sharp cheddar meltaliciously laid on my hot burger, neither of which is gonna help my mucus...but mama had a hard day and also my toddler is deciding to strike against food lately. The feta was goat feta so I was in the clear for that one.
How do you build your burger?

I buddied mine up in this order: whole wheat bun, butter (Cuz everything is better with butter, baby), spinach, melted sharp cheddar, burger, Cajun roumalade sauce, and whole wheat bun.
Teen-oddlers paired theirs up with BBQ sauce, which I think masks everything but hey when it comes to kids and their veggies...Down the hatch. oh, and the toddler ate it with a smile, "Nummy, mama!"