Ask a Groovy Gal (Well-Being & Health)

ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JILLIAN SWARTZ ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
JUST FOR THE HEALTH OF IT

I just went to a nutritionist who told me to stop drinking coffee. I guess it's tea time for me. Have you found any that are really as good for you as they claim to be?—Mindy, Weston, MA
Did she or he tell you to give it up because of the caffeine? If you can still hang with caffeine, I am loving Zhena's Gypsy Tea. FYI, according to the Zhena crew, black teas have half the caffeine as coffee. The caffeine in tea enters the blood stream at a much slower pace and does not hit the central nervous system with a spike. As such, this kind of caffeine delivery actually helps reduce stress and facilitates weight control because it serves to stabilize the blood sugar. Caffeine issues aside, I think it's very tasty. I also like the fact that it's organic and made from Fair Trade gardens only. And lastly, its founder, Zhena Muzyka, used to be an aromatherapist so she uses her knowledge of essential oils to create her soothing and sensual teas—and she started the company seven years ago as a way to support her son who was born with a severe birth defect, so you've got to admire the story behind the tea, too. (For more information, go to www.gypsytea.com)

I am breastfeeding my three-month-old and am ready for a drink. I just learned the phrase “pump and dump,” but is there any product on the market that neutralizes the effects of alcohol?—Jamie, Pittsburgh, PA

Milk Screen

Oh, I remember those days—and not very fondly. I also remember my mom's friends telling me that a little alcohol was good for the baby and would help her sleep through the night. Uh huh—seriously, people said that to me. Anywhoooo, I don't think that there is a product, natural or otherwise, that neutralizes the alcohol, but there is a product that tests for it in your breast milk. Check out Milkscreen ($19.95 for a box with six tests, www.milkscreen.com). The Milkscreen folks say that upon a positive test result, mamas should wait an hour or more before retesting and that the “pump and dump” method doesn't eliminate the alcohol from the breast milk. I completely did not know this whilst I was breastfeeding—scary! They claim that the only thing you can do is wait out the alcohol and/or use pre-pumped milk.

I am a working mom who needs help getting healthy meals to her family. Are there any delivery services that cater to kids?—Janice, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Well, first let me direct you to our Well-Being & Health section. It is ripe with articles on quick, easy and healthy meals for the whole family. Click here for one article, in particular, that gives you seven whole days of great meals that can be made in less than thirty minutes.

Delivery, however, is a truly lovely idea—as a former New Yorker who ordered in three meals a day, just the thought of it sends me spinning with glee. Zone Chefs delivers quality meals (I've had them and they're delicious!) that everyone will enjoy. They have a program for kids (suggested ages are 13 to 18). If you have older ones, I would definitely recommend this program. Prices start at $29.95 per day, so it is on the pricey side. www.zonechefs.com

If you have wee ones a little bit of time, then I recommend the Simply Dish franchises or places like them. Spend two hours a month at Simply Dish or a similar and you will have eight to 12 family-sized dishes, each serving six. The meals are customized by you and designed to be frozen fresh and then cooked when you are ready to eat them. It's definitely an interesting concept that seems like it would solve your dinnertime dilema. If you live in NJ or are just curious about the concept, you can find out more about it at www.simplydish.biz.

Click here to read about Jillian's life in the 'hood—motherhood.