He has been eating the leaves of our Washington Naval Dwarf tree. When we first saw him about six weeks ago, he was only half an inch long> Now look at him!! He'll be a beautiful butterfly one day :)
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Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar
No More Toxic Toys
We have all heard about the millions and millions of toys that have been recalled this year. Lead based paint, the Date Rape Drug laced beads, choking hazards, tiny magnets embedded within toys and faulty design have injured, sickened or killed many kids in the United States and Austrailia. Have you ever wondered why these toys did not affect children in Canda and Europe? It is because they have strict laws to protect children and the well being of all of their citizens...laws that protect their citizens not laws that feed corporate greed like ours do. The state of California has sued 20 toy manufacturers in an effort to bring about some type of punishment and reform for toy companies that put profits over the lives of children. Has your state stood up to these corporations? Does the federal government care about our children enough to tell these corporations that are liable and will be held liable to the fullest extent of the law? Are the candidates for President in 2008 making this a high priority? No.
Until our country puts our children first, we must take matters into our own hands. Boycott EVERY toy company that manufactures toys in China indefinitely. Toys that are made in the USA are difficult to find...maybe that will change soon. There are many fine toys made in Europe that are safe for our kids. You can bet that anything that comes from Europe has been manufactured using the highest safety standards.
Here is a list of sites that offer SAFE toys for our children. I will move this list to the sidebar in a few days for quick access.
Oompa.com
Moolka.com
BackToBasicsToys.com
QuincyShop.com
AToyGarden.com
Giggle.com
WillowTreeToys.com
MagicCabin.com
BellaLunaToys.com
Chinaberry.com
AesopsRoom.com
New Warnings about the Safety of ASTHMA drugs for Kids
In addition to the warning for flu drugs for kids, the FDA is considering the safety of two asthma drugs that are prescribed for kids as well. The names of the drugs are Severent and Adavair.
Here is a link that you can copy and paste into your browser to read the entire news story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119582909121102143.html?mod=fpa_whatsnews
Flu Drug Warning for Kids
FDA Wants Warnings on Flu Drugs for Kids
Friday November 23, 2:10 pm ET
By Matthew Perrone, AP Business Writer
FDA Wants Added Label Warnings About Bizarre Behavior in Kids That Get 2 Widely Used Flu Drugs
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government health regulators recommended adding label precautions about neurological problems seen in children who have taken flu drugs made by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline.
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday released its safety review of Roche's Tamiflu and Glaxo's Relenza. FDA's panel of outside experts will consider the government's proposed labeling at its meeting Tuesday. FDA is not required to follow the advice of its outside experts, though it usually does.
FDA began reviewing Tamiflu's safety in 2005 after receiving reports of children experiencing neurological problems, including hallucinations and convulsions.
Twenty-five patients under age 21 have died while taking the drug, most of them in Japan. Five deaths resulted from children "falling from windows or balconies or running into traffic."
Over 48 million patients, including 21 million children, have taken Tamiflu since it was approved in 1999. The drug, which comes in capsule and liquid form, had sales of $2.4 billion last year.
There have been no child deaths connected with Relenza, but regulators said children taking the drug have shown similar neurological problems.
The label for British drug maker Glaxo's Relenza does not list any neurological problems. A company spokesman said Friday no signficant behavioral issues have been recorded in clinical studies or patient safety reports. Sales of the drug last year were roughly $187 million.
While FDA said the reports of dangerous side effects could result from an unusual strain of flu or a rare genetic reaction to the drugs, the agency wants language about the possible side effects added to labeling for physicians who prescribe Tamiflu and Relenza.
Tamiflu's current label lists the potential for self-injury and delirium, but does not mention that these behaviors could result in death. The FDA's proposed label would include that information.
In a statement Friday, Roche suggested it would consider changing the label.
"If the FDA concludes that it is valuable to place additional details on the label with regard to specific adverse event reports, then Roche is open to that consideration," the statement from Roche, which is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, said.
However, the company also stressed there is no concrete evidence connecting its drug to the reported problems. It also pointed out that many children with flu experience neurological problems, even when they aren't taking medication.
Twas the Night before Thanksgiving...
And all through L.A., many people were sitting in their cars on the way
To buy necessary items for Thanksgiving day...
The traffic wasn't moving, which wasn't quite surprising
Procrastination has its cost and there is no compromising.
So It took me 45 minutes to go 2 miles in L.A. today. I had to buy some items for Thanksgiving dinner at the last minute. I do this every year. I am not sure if it is procrastination or the fact that I want my vegetables to be fresh on Thanksgiving day.
I decided to give up on the traffic and head back to Whole Foods instead of Pavilions. I wish I would have made this choice in the beginning, since I can literally walk there from my house.
California was with me. He is always hungry when we go grocery shopping and is positive that it is his right to eat whatever he wants - when he wants it. As soon as we get into the store, he says "Me Eat" but it sounds like MEEEEEEEET-AH. I put Pita bread in the cart and he screams "Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeta, Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeta, Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeta" until I finally break down an give him a pinch of pita bread. 
Then I put raisin bread in the cart and he says "BWEAAAAD, BWEEEEAAD, BWEEEEEEEEEEEAD". Fine...here is a piece of raisin bread, he chucks the pita bread to the floor and devours the raisin bread. I went down the cereal aisle which also has cookies...you guessed it, "Cooooooooookies, Coooooooooooooookies, Cooooooooooooookies"....
Now I know why I waited so long to get the things I needed for Thanksgivng...California.
The Truth About Thanksgiving
As home schoolers, we are privy to information that most kids are never told in traditional school. The curriculum that we receive from Oak Meadow included a book called "...If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620" by Ann McGovern. It is published by Scholastic and readily available in any major bookstore. Tennessee and I discovered some very interesting facts that are usually ommitted and/or distorted by most traditional teachers and/or learning institutions.
DID YOU KNOW:
1. The Pilgrims had TWO ships. The Speedwell and the Mayflower.
2. The Speedwell started leaking so they had to take it back to England and pile onto the Mayflower.
3. The Pilgrims didn't have any money to buy the Mayflower so they made a deal with an English businessman to work for him for seven years to pay it off. When they got to the New World, everything they worked for was sent to him for seven years.
4. There were 102 people on the Mayflower. Only 35 of the 102 people on board the Mayflower did so for Religious reasons. These were the Pilgrims. The remainder of the 102 passengers sailed to the New World to find work and/or for adventure.
5. The Mayflower began its journey on September 6th 1620 and arrived on November 9th, 1620. It took them 66 days to get to the New World.
6. The Pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas.
7. The first Native American that the Pilgrims met spoke English. His name was Samoset.
8. Samoset brought Sqanto to meet the Pilgrims and he stayed with them for the rest of his life. They were best friends.
9. Squanto showed them how to farm the land, hunt and use herbs. He saved their life and thier village from destruction. He also orchestrated the first Peace Treaty.
10. Pilgrims did not always dress in black clothes. They only did that on Sundays. Little boys wore long dresses until they were 6 years old.
11. The first Thanksgiving lasted for 3 days. It was in the middle of October of 1621.
Here is a link to "...If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620"
http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Sailed-Mayflower-1620/dp/0590451618
Disclaimer
This is a personal blog. The content on the blog is the opinion of the blogger, not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual, or anyone or thing. It is not meant to harm, offend, defame or humiliate anyone or any party involved directly or indirectly. The words written on Raising California are the words of L.A. Mama and they do not represent anyone or any entity other than the personal views, opinions and experiences of L.A. Mama and her family. L.A. Mama makes no claims of the validity and accuracy of the content of this blog since the blog is a perpetual work in progress and an ongoing conversation with the Universe. L.A. Mama is not an expert and is not responsible for what the readers of this blog choose to do with the information, wisdom and advice contained within this blog. L.A. Mama is soley responsible for what she says. Likewise, all comments made from other authors are their words and they are soley responsible for what they say. All photographs contained within this blog that include California, Tennessee, L.A. Mama, Daddio, and any other person, belong to L.A. Mama and Raising California. Do not copy these under any circumstances. L.A. Mama always welcomes well intentioned comments but please refrain from mean spirited discourse. Thank you and enjoy your journey :)
What is Tofurkey?
Tofurkey is what vegetarians and vegans eat on Thanksgiving instead of a turkey. According to Tofurkey.com, Tofurkey is: "a pre-cooked vegetarian feast designed to be the delicious centerpiece of your holiday or everyday meal. Made from a revolutionary tofu-wheat protein blend, Tofurky is known for its incredible, turkey-like texture and flavor"
To learn more about Tofurkey, go to www.Tofurkey.com
A Thanksgiving Grocery List
This is a drawing of the grocery store that we shop at in Santa Monica. It is called Whole Foods. They sell vegetarian and organic food.
Here is our grocery list for Thanksgiving dinner:
organic cranberry sauce
Mrs. Cubbison's cornbread stuffing
vegetarian gravy
frozen french cut green beans
onions
organic carrots
organic celery
organic corn
Fat Free Cream of Mushroom soup
Pie Crust
Can of pureed pumpkin
nonfat evaporated milk
organic golden potatoes
TOFURKEY
Organic grapes
Organic oranges
Organic pears
Organic strawberries
Organic Fat Free Milk from Clover Farms
Organic lettuce
Organic tomatoes
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