I also loved Gwyneth’s first book. I keep wanting to write more book reviews but I’ll be sure to write that one.

I love this library post series – you’re giving me some ideas of what to look out for. I bought Gwyenth Paltrow’s first book and there were some good ideas in it. Let us know how you like this new one!

Angela

She was on Neosure for a long time and when it was time to transtion to milk, because she started rejecting formula, she would not touch it. No allergy to dairy either.

Since she had issues with putting on weight and developmental delays “starving our kid out” was not an option. She also has issues with eating and drinking, so supplementing a lack of milk with calcium rich foods was not an option.

We tried it all before doing Pediasure. Almond milk, lactose free, rice, soy, coconut, regular milk with flavoring, organic. Any and all milk we could find powder or wet. Ultimately Strawberry Pediasure won out.

She has been using Pediasure for over 2 years now. While it may not be the best choice it has saved our child from becomming malnourished.

For a regular kid without disabilities I can understand not resorting to Pediasure and ensuing in a battle of wills to get them to eat. For average kids a multi-vitamin is enough. Even kids with award winning diets need a multi-vitamin.

Having a kid with disabilities means you are extremely limited and bargaining with them is impossible. My daughter can’t even tell me when she’s hungry or thirsty and doesn’t understand that when she is hungry she needs to seek food.

Some of the micro-preemies can be stubborn beyond belief and since most of them have oral trauma that means they would rather go hungry than eat because it’s uncomfortable.

In conclusion your advice may work for average kids, but I feel you should take kids with disabilities or oral aversions into consideration before you bash Pediasure all together. I know not to listen, but some parents out there may become worried or self-conscience and take their kid off of this stuff without a replacement.

Anyway, there was a guy selling flats of strawberries on a corner near us this morning, and while I didn’t have any cash, I thought, “well, they are probably sprayed anyway.” But then I rememebred an article that talked about soaking produce in a vinegar water solution in the sink before eating them. I have never tried this, but something to keep in mind for the future!

I have to say what helped last season for both containers and in-ground was I used lawn clippings as a “mulch” covering on top of the soil and around all the plants. Now I don’t know how much it contributed to future weeds, but it really helped keep the current weeds at bay.

And last fall, DH covered the whole area with a bunch of dried brown leaves. It seemed to help because there was only a slight area that had new weeds growing. The rest stayed clear.

I’ll probably do the same thing with the lawn clippings this season too. They dry into a nice golden straw, and will also help keep the moisture in the soil too. And it looks cool. hahaha. Oh one thing I did hear was to try to mow the lawn BEFORE any grass or weed goes to seed. That usually helps keep future weeds down.

I hope you get a chance to have a garden this year too Angela.

The first year I planted snap peas I didn’t really know what to expect and had a huge jumbled mess on my hands. I learned quickly and agree – set the supports first and then plant. :)

Do you think if you pull the weeds and then mix with compost, the weed seeds will be gone? I never really have known how to deal with that particular issue in a natural way.

Can’t wait to see your yields!