This is a story that is ever so close to my heart. I have been harping on for years (just ask my wife) about the fact we are living in a society that is too clean. We are sterilizing our homes to the point we are actually making our children sick. Yes sick!

Why? Every time we grab those cleaning agents and sterilize our homes, the floors, walls and bench tops, we are killing the good bacteria as well as the bad. Our bodies need those good bacteria's. In fact some are an essential part of our digestive processes. Not only that, we don't really know what effect these chemicals are having on our children. Are they cancer causing? Who knows!

An organization called the Seventh Generation is organizing a protest march with a difference - a million babies crawling on Washington in support of legislation that seeks to reform toxic chemical legislation. To quote from an email I received -

"Seventh Generation and millions of babies are crawling to Washington to demand a law that will regulate toxic chemicals found in household products."

It sounds like a good call to me. If your interested in supporting this cause you can check out their web site at http://www.seventhgeneration.com/million-baby-crawl/. On the site you can create your own little crawler together with a message to congress.

Here is a fun video that addresses some of what they are trying to achieve.

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Toddlers love to eat. In fact they have a habit of putting everything they come across into their mouths. When it comes to food, they will try to eat everything especially what they see us eating - unfortunately what we eat is not always suitable for them. Here are a couple of quick and simple toddler finger food recipes that you can try.

Sweet Potato Sticks

This is quick and simple and kids love them simply because of the color.

Peel a bright orange sweet potato and cut into two inch sticks about half an inch thick. Microwave on high for about five minutes then allow to cool thoroughly. They can be stored for up to five days in an airtight container although serving fresh is best. You will need to experiment with your microwave to get the best consistency. You should be able to hold a stick without it collapsing in a heap of mush.

Apple Rings With Cinnamon

Peel and core a couple of red apples - the harder the apple the better. Cut into rings and dust with cinnamon (no sugar). Microwave for two minutes until a little soft but not mushy. Allow to cool then watch them disappear. Store for three days.

Pear Rings With Nutmeg

Similar to the apple rings - peel and core a couple of hard pears. Cut into rings and microwave for about a minute - sprinkle a little nutmeg (not too much) and let cool. If you get the nutmeg sprinkle just right then kids love these because of the color.

If you are looking for toddler finger food recipes then keep coming back. I will publish more over the next couple of days. Happy finger food chomping for your toddler.

If you are a woman looking to start a family, or perhaps add to a your family, you may be becoming confused with all the advice that is now coming out. We wrote a few days ago about the types of food to eat to prevent allergies. Researchers are now finding that folic acid may be a leading cause of asthma in young children.

There is a bright side to this story however. Folic acid is an essential additive that helps to prevent neural tube defects (like spina bifida) in new borns. A diet that is poor in folic acid has been linked to increased incidents of these problems.

However, and here is the good news, extra folic acid is only needed prior to conception and in the first few months of pregnancy. Certainly by the end of the first trimester the need for extra folic acid is gone. The advice for women who are trying to get pregnant is to take folic acid supplements before conception and not more than several weeks into their pregnancy.

What research is showing is that for those women who continue to take increased doses of folic acid (over and above normal daily requirements for a non pregnant woman), there is a corresponding rise in the incidence of asthma in their young children. What is interesting however is the following statement:

"Dr Davies said having a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, certain nuts and fruits known to be sources of folate (the natural form of folic acid) did not carry an asthma risk."

So natural forms of folic acid are okay - it is only the supplements. It makes you wonder if it is the folic acid, the source of the folic acid when manufacturing these supplements, the carrier that is holding the folic acid, or whether fresh fruit and vegetables carry other vital compounds that help to neutralize any negative effects - or perhaps all of the above.

I have to say I have never been a big promoter of the 'fresh is best' kind - but I am starting to change my tune a little. Of course, fresh is best but it can also be the most expensive whereas frozen to me has always been the most convenient.

The message now for new mums to be - take folate (folic acid) before and for the first month of pregnancy, then stop taking extra folate. By all means keep on eating your fresh fruit and veg.