First up, school districts are fired up about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
A snack sized bag of these contain 26 grams of fat – and yet they’re one of the hottest tickets in the cafeteria.

There are facebook pages and rap songs devoted to them.

[cut to clip of hot Cheetos and takis]

Why is the fan base so obsessed? Well, new research suggests that these and other junk foods are “hyperpalatable.” Or, in other words ADDICTIVE.

Yes, salty, fatty, or sweet foods like this can trigger brain responses similar to those seen in drug addicts.

Frito-Lay, who make Cheetos, say they’re committed to “responsible and ethical marketing practices,” and don’t target kids under 12.

Which is why they feature a cartoon spokes animal, right?

Illinois is the first school district to remove Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from their vending machines and cafeterias. California and New Mexico are following suit. Some schools in Pasedena, Calif. Have even said that if parents pack this junk in their kids lunch, the hot Cheetos will be confiscated.

Pretty lame solution, if you ask me. Instead, I wish food manufacturers would just MAN UP and create healthier products.

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Next, an updated “marshmallow test” offers insight on what makes kids tick.

The original and now famous marshmallow studies occurred in the 1960’s at Stanford University.

In that study, children were given a marshmallow.

If they waited to eat it, they’d get more.

A test in delayed gratification.

Results indicated that those who were able to wait were more successful later in life, including higher SAT scores and lower rates of substance abuse.

The new study, however, tackles “why” the children choose to wait or not wait.

And mamas, this is where parenting comes in…

You see, the children who engaged with “reliable” or “trustworthy” adults were more likely to wait.

For example, the two groups of children were both given materials for an arts and crafts project.

The materials were inferior, such as used crayons and dingy cup holders.

If they waited to use the materials, researchers promised “better” art supplies shortly.

In one test group, the researchers returned as promised with new art supplies for the one group of kids. In the other test group the researchers returned empty-handed.

This was done over and over and…

You guessed it. The group with inconsistent adults had a hard time waiting while the reliable group could hold off a full 12 minutes longer!

Moral of story, let’s be true to our word and provide safe and reliable environments for our kids – they’ll prosper because of it.

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Speaking of prospering kids, it’s time for community news.

First off did you hear about the little girl Laila who was born weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces, on 10/11/12, at 13:14 p.m. Time to buy a lottery ticket, mama Katie, cuz luck is on your side.

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Moving across the pond, UK mama Nauana gave birth to baby Paul Giovanni on Sept 25th.

She was committed to a home birth for this baby, after a very traumatic birth with her first. But her plans were scrapped when a problem with the baby’s heart and a case of GBS infection was discovered at 28 weeks.

Her doctors suggested c-section. Nauana was heartbroken; but was determined to try for natural.

But at 41 weeks when labor started, the contractions proved be too much, so she received an epidural. And after much pushing and twisting and turning of baby, her adorable boy Paul arrived healthy and happy.

Congratulations to Nauana and family.

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We now fly over to the other end of our crunchy world community in Okayama, Japan, where….

Ashley and her husband welcomed a baby boy Christopher on September 25th.

For medical reasons, Ashley received a pitocin-induced labor, resulting in a speedy 4 hour vaginal delivery.

And no painkillers whatsoever.

Everything was smooth and fast.

Christopher is exclusively breasted and also enjoys being worn in his Ergo carrier.

Congratulations Ashley and family!

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Finally, sleep is being touted as the new miracle cure.

It’s the Omega 3, Vitamin D and antioxidant rolled into one. Cures everything from misbehaving children to obesity.

And the truth is – it probably does.

Sleep is one of our most basic needs.

Our cells and psyche depend on that regeneration that occurs when we sleep. Just talk to any new mom. Or to ME! My baby Griffin is 2 years old and I’m still not getting rock solid Zzzzzs.

If we don’t get enough sleep, our entire being sends warning signals.

• Our minds become forgetful…
• Our immune system gets run down…
• Our appetites increase, craving more food to stay up…
• Our sex drive can plummet because we’re in survival mode…
• Our emotions can veer off into dangerous territory…

Now, according to a new National Sleep Foundations poll,
• 34% of Americans between ages 13 to 64 say they rarely or never get a good night sleep during the weekdays.

• 60% say they have a sleep problem or wake up in the middle of the night.

So what are some ways to improve our sleep?

1. No stimulants after 3 p.m. This includes chocolate [sorry!]

2. Eat well-balanced meals throughout day.

3. Have a small snack before bed. Warm milk with honey and a dash of salt is perfect. It has a balance of protein, fat, and sugar that helps us get through a long night without food. The salt helps to keep adrenaline at bay which can cause night terrors, wakeful sleep or excessive urination at night.

4. Turn off any screen time at least 1 hour prior to bed since these can stimulate the brain and body too much making it harder to sleep.

5. Create a strict “cut off “ time for you to start the nighttime routine.

6. Speaking of which, create a fun ritual like family story time or brushing teeth boogies. Or a hot Epsom salt bath… ahhhh…