Mckenzie Pediatrics

We’re still in shock. A classroom of 4th graders and their brave teachers mowed down by one boy’s hate and one nation’s head in the sand.

Enough of thoughts and prayers. While well-intentioned, they’re useless against a bullet. Let alone against 375 rounds of bullets a boy newly eighteen bought just days ago, along with two assault rifles purchased as easily as he would a soda and a bag of chips.

That’s just messed up, that a nation which collectively and correctly prohibits the sale of alcohol and ma*****na until the age of twenty-one blesses the sale of AR’s to high school seniors with hardly a second thought. A long hard stare in a nation-sized mirror is long overdue.

A false narrative, a false choice pervades our politics: the choice between unrestricted access to any and all weapons of warfare, and total gun confiscation. This is ridiculous.

Almost no one is asking for gun confiscation. Eighty-plus percent of Americans are consistently polled as just wanting a few basic safeguards: background checks, waiting periods, and the prohibition of the sale of assault rifles, particularly to those under the age of twenty-one. Will these safeguards stop all mass shootings? Of course not, but they’re likely to help. A lot.

To those opposing such simple compromises, ask yourself: what if YOUR 4th grader was gunned down in her class, along with her friends and teachers, by an angry hate-filled eighteen year-old boy with his brand new weapons of war bought more easily than an Amazon Prime order? You’d unflinchingly sacrifice your dear child for that boy’s unfettered right to military style weapons?

It’s often said, after each mass shooting, practically weekly in recent years, that ”this is not who we are”. Yes, it is. And its who we have been at least since 2004, when the national assault rifle ban sunsetted, and even since the late 1990s, with Thurston and Columbine.

It is who we are. Acknowledgement is the first step to recovery. It’s time we start insisting our leaders start taking those steps.

https://apple.news/AF5Ex0dS0SqmMQ3yNmDBXeQ

Breastfeeding? Here Are 4 Foods to Support Your Milk Supply — Livestrong There aren't many research-backed foods to increase your milk supply. Experts explain if purported foods that help produce breast milk, like fenugreek, work.

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Is Homemade Infant Formula Safe? Homemade infant formulas are not regulated by the FDA and often do not meet infant nutritional needs. Babies who consume homemade infant for

So you want to improve your cooking game? Here are Dr. Todd’s suggested well-stocked pantry staples, items to keep on hand to make almost any healthy recipe in a flash! Try to buy organic whenever possible:

Oils: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Avocado Oil (high smoke point), Toasted Sesame Oil (keep in refrigerator), and Grapeseed Oil (healthy neutral flavor oil)

Vinegars: Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, White Wine or Champagne Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar, Mirin, Rice Vinegar

Other Liquids: Tamari, Maple Syrup, Dry Sherry, Canned Coconut Milk (Full Fat)

“Powders”: Corn Starch, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Diamond Crystal Salt, Maldon’s Sea Salt (for finishing), Cane Sugar, Brown Sugar

Canned or Dried Goods: Pinto Beans, Black Beans, Brown and/or Green Lentils, Yellow Dal, Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas), Unmarinated Artichokes

Condiments & Add-Ins: Dijon Mustard, Gochugaru Korean Chili Paste, Capers, Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha, Green Dragon Sauce, Aleppo Sauce, Yumm Sauce, Horseradish, Cafe Yumm Jal-Ses, Peanut Butter, Italian Tomato Paste, Mexican Salsa, Tahini, Harissa, Thai Red Curry Paste

Seasonings: All-Purpose Italian Blend, Herbes de Provence, Dill, Cumin (Ground & Seeds), Turmeric, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Taco Seasoning or Sazon, Saffron, Sweet & Hot Spanish Paprikas, Aleppo, Sumac, Coriander Seeds, Fennel Seeds (and many more!)

Other: Yellow, Red, and White Onions, Garlic Heads, Extra-Firm Tofu, Rice Noodles, Scallions, Good Ramen, Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Parsley, Celery, Carrots, Red or Yukon Gold Potatoes, Dates, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Dried Mushrooms, Pine Nuts, Jasmine Rice, Basmati Rice, Pasta

Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list….there are many other common pantry favorites (share yours below). I’ve probably forgotten a few of my own favorites. But if you have many or most items on this list of staples, you can make MANY dozens of wonderful meals with just a few other ingredients, particularly fresh vegetables.

Happy Cooking!