“I don’t have any personal mottos; I just want to help others be happy,” Huang Meihua says simply during our phone interview, and that isn’t what I was expecting from an earthquake survivor who has given several inspirational talks around Beijing. I was prepared for people who give inspirational speeches to espouse strong beliefs in mottos like “Never give up,” and while Meihua might have those beliefs, she doesn’t just pay lip service to them – she lives them.

Meihua is as down-to-earth as they come, despite having lived through the 2008 earthquake that devastated Sichuan and trapped her in the rubble of her school building for six days, causing her to lose both her legs. Amazingly, Meihua says her life as a double amputee isn’t that different from what she imagines her life would have been like had the incident not happened. After all, she’s hit all the typical milestones in life: She continued her schooling here, then studied at a university in Canada, and is currently on a Schwarzman scholarship to pursue her master’s at Tsinghua University here in Beijing – all goals that she had had before her amputation. One thing that has changed for Meihua, though, is “how I used to want to get married early. But now, it just doesn’t feel right. I enjoy my life and want to help others.” She reveals: “I’ve gone on many first dates but never had the second, because the right guy hasn’t come along.”

Another difference might also be that Meihua goes around sharing her struggles and her still-positive outlook on life in talks like this upcoming one at Beijing Family United Hospital on Thu, Jun 13. There, you might hear about her all-too-real anecdotes, such as when she had to be wheeled for 20 minutes to the nearest “wheelchair-accessible” restroom, only to discover that there was a set of stairs right in front of it, or about how complete strangers have stuck their heads into the toilet stall she’s in to check on her to see if she needs help. “They mean well, but it’s this lack of awareness that I am trying to address in China,” shares Meihua.

If you would like to hear more of Meihua’s story in person, scan the QR code in the poster to register for the free talk. Donations to United Foundation for China’s Health are welcome.

KEEP READING: Jun 5-19: Charity Run, Dance Competition & More

Images: Courtesy of Huang Meihua, BJU

Dr. Wenji Dai, the epitome of a nonjudgmental listener, brings nearly 20 years of experience and a wealth of expertise in a wide variety of mental health issues in children and adolescents to Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU). Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing her on her specialty – children and adolescents. We can all agree that parenting is tough. Whether you’re a first-time parent navigating the early years or juggling multiple teens at home, there comes a point when we all wonder if we’re doing something wrong or if there’s more to our child’s moodiness than meets the eye. This is where Dr. Dai steps in.

In a recent interview, Dr. Dai shed light on the collaborative nature of child psychology and stressed the importance of close collaboration with other healthcare professionals. She emphasized the pivotal role of psychologists in complementing medication treatments, highlighting the seamless coordination between psychologists and psychiatrists in patient care.

Let’s kick off with a quick vocabulary lesson:

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

So, how do you decide whether to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist? Dr. Dai advises choosing one and working closely with them to determine the best path for your specific needs. Often, the two professionals collaborate closely to devise the optimal treatment plan based on the severity of the individual’s condition. “When a psychologist feels that a patient’s condition warrants further assessment or medication treatment, we work hand in hand with psychiatrists to ensure comprehensive care,” Dr. Dai explained.

To my surprise, Dr. Dai mentioned that seeking mental health support may not be a lifelong commitment for everyone. She takes pride in discharging many patients after guiding them through the appropriate course of treatment.

The child psychology department at BJU offers a diverse range of services tailored to the unique needs of young patients. Dr. Dai stressed the importance of involving parents and caregivers in the therapeutic process, emphasizing the significant role of family support in a child’s mental health journey.

“Treating children often involves close collaboration with their parents, families, and schools,” Dr. Dai noted. “Collaboration among all stakeholders is essential for effective intervention.”

Dr. Dai works with individuals across a wide age range, from adults and teenagers to children as young as five years old. She shared insights into her approach to working with children of different age groups. For younger children, she emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable and playful environment to facilitate communication and assessment. “Play therapy can be incredibly effective when working with young children,” Dr. Dai explained. “Engaging in playful activities helps children feel at ease and allows us to observe their behavior and assess their needs.” Through these playful interactions and “casual conversations,” Dr. Dai gains valuable insights into the children’s mental and emotional states.

When working with adolescents, Dr. Dai highlighted the importance of respecting their privacy while involving parents in the therapeutic process. She emphasized the need for open communication and understanding between parents and teens. “It’s crucial to respect teenagers’ privacy and autonomy while also providing them with the support they need,” Dr. Dai emphasized. “Listening to teenagers and understanding their perspectives is key to building trust and rapport.”

During our conversation, Dr. Dai emphasized a commonality she has noticed among children in Beijing: their stress levels. Amid our own daily stresses, it’s easy to overlook the stress our children experience. Whether it’s their concerns, achievements, or anxieties, Dr. Dai reminds parents not to dismiss or belittle them. In addition to individual therapy sessions, the department offers support groups and educational resources for parents, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to better support their children’s mental health.

Dr. Dai underscored the importance of early intervention and urged parents to seek help if they notice any signs of behavioral or emotional difficulties in their children. “Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s mental health journey,” Dr. Dai emphasized. “We encourage parents to reach out for support if they have any concerns about their child’s well-being.”

With a dedicated team of psychologists and psychiatrists, BJU is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges. Dr. Dai’s expertise and compassionate approach reflect the hospital’s commitment to promoting the mental well-being of young patients and their families.

Outside of her professional life at BJU, Dr. Dai enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her family and pets. To get in touch with Dr. Dai, simply scan the QR code to make an appointment through BJU.

Images: courtesy of Dr. Wenji Dai

Not too long ago, my friend (we’ll call her Mindy) discovered that her youngest child had head lice. If he had it, his brother had it too, and she probably did as well. I — I mean my friend, of course — had never had head lice before, and started down the research tunnel immediately. Here is what Mindy learned from friends, her husband’s rational research, and her own freaked out internet searches.

• Set aside time to sit and comb through their hair. Thoroughly. Mindy did this two to three times a day depending on her work schedule. What a fun way to spend a lunch break…
• There are lots of conflicting ideas on what works. Suffocate the lice with conditioner and head wraps. Wash everything at high temperatures. No, it’s actually about the drying cycle. As with anything parenting-related, do all your research and then figure out what works with your own methodologies.
• You can’t get lice treatment quickly in China. We get into that more below, but your best bet is to ask a friend if they have any left while you order some from Taobao. If you have a friend who works at an embassy, any embassy, you will have more luck than my friend Mindy did. For reference, the Taobao order arrived four weeks after being placed.
• It sucks to tell your school, but if you have younger kids, do it. Within 24 hours, our — I mean, Mindy’s — school had checked all the appropriate classrooms, emailed the entire school on the update, and said that three to four days after starting treatment, they could arrange for the school nurses to check the children’s hair and see if they could start school again. This was good: Mindy likes gameplans.
• Nits can’t jump from animals to humans. This is the second question most people ask, and it simply isn’t possible. Yay.
• There’s nothing to do but hunker down and get ready to comb. Mindy found it astonishing how not gross it was to comb through your kids’ hair and pick out eggs and bugs who were sucking the blood from their scalp once you approached it as a triumph for every nit picked. Mindy is a good nitpicker when it comes to editing, so why not her kids’ hair?

Mindy was also astonished at every pharmacy’s blank look when she asked if they have head lice or nit treatment. “Do you have to shave their heads?” is something she heard once a day. So we asked our friend at Beijing United Family Hospital to shed some light on the mysteries of head lice in Beijing, and China as a whole.

Here is Dr. Charlotte Zhang from BJU about her expertise on the subject.

Is head lice common in Beijing?

Dr. Charlotte Zhang (CZ): No, it is uncommon in Beijing, but occasionally are occasional breakouts in some schools.

If a child was found to have nits or head lice, what would your doctors prescribe or suggest?

CZ: The patient should be bathed thoroughly. Infested clothing and bed linen should be heat washed (temperature should reach at least 149°F [65℃]), dry cleaned, or discarded. Ironing clothing with particular attention to the seams will also kill lice on fabrics

Are chemical treatments available here?

CZ: There are some medications available in China, including 4% dimethicone lotion or some TCM medications containing radix stemonae/Ocimum gratissimum or sulfur ointment.

Are there nonchemical treatments you’d suggest?

CZ: Wet combing — the mechanical removal of lice by wet combing is an alternative treatment for patients who are too young for pediculicide (a chemical insecticide used in head lice medications) treatment or who desire to avoid pediculicide therapy. The time and care required to perform wet combing and the need for multiple sessions are deterrents for some patients. [Instead] a lubricant such as a hair conditioner is applied to the hair prior to the following steps, which are also used for the dry-combing method.

• The hair is brushed or combed to remove tangles.
• A fine-toothed comb is inserted near the crown until it gently touches the scalp, after which it is drawn firmly down and examined for lice after each stroke.
• The entire head is combed systematically at least twice.

Other physical methods

• Hair removal: Shaving hair is anecdotally reported as a method of eradicating head louse infestation .
• Electric comb: A comb that uses an electric current generated by an AA battery to electrocute lice is marketed for the treatment of head lice.
• Heated air: An unblinded study reported louse eradication with high-volume heated air blown at the scalp for 30 minutes. Few patients overall received the high-volume heated air treatments, and patients younger than age six were excluded.

Any preventative measures you should take?

CZ: Household members should be examined and treated if infested (live lice or nits within one cm of the scalp detected); bedmates should be treated prophylactically.

Louse survival off the scalp beyond 48 hours is unlikely. It is reasonable to recommend washing clothing and linen used by the infested person during the two days prior to therapy in hot water and/or drying the items on a high-heat dryer cycle. Temperatures should reach at least 130°F (54℃). Items that cannot be washed may be dry-cleaned or stored in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks, although this often may not be necessary. Vacuuming of furniture and carpeting on which the infested person sat or lay down has also been suggested; of note, the risk of transmission from these sites is low. Spraying the home with a pediculicide is not recommended.

KEEP READING: Wintertime Woes: Extreme Eczema

Photos: courtesy of BJU, Cindy Marie Jenkins

April 25 is National Child Vaccination Awareness Day, but what do you know about getting your child vaccinated here in Beijing? It can definitely be a bit unnerving coming to China, especially with young kids, and trying to figure out how to make sure you have all the right vaccines. Here to demystify it all are two Family Medicine physicians and one pediatrician from Beijing United Family Hospital.

Bringing us the German perspective is Family Medicine physician Dr. Reinhard Krippner, who previously worked as the German Embassy Clinic doctor. Here with the US angle is Family Medicine physician Dr. Lijun Liang, who was educated in China and trained in New York City. Providing more information specifically for kids is pediatrician Dr. Jet Caligagan from the Philippines.

What vaccines are not readily available in China?

Combination vaccines

“In China, there are constant shortages of imported vaccines, and the Chinese-made vaccinations are limited in their combinations,” says Dr. Krippner, explaining that the more diseases you can cover in one vaccine, the fewer injections needed, and the better the result – especially for children. “In Europe, we have the five-in-one and the six-in-one vaccines. Quite a number of these don’t exist in China, and there is a distrust of Chinese vaccinations because of previous scandals,” explains Dr. Krippner.

So, if you’d like to follow a typical Western vaccination schedule with as few vaccinations as possible using all Western-made medications, Dr. Krippner suggests getting as many vaccines as possible back home. “Of course, when your child is born in China, you have no choice,” he adds, “but any follow-up vaccinations that you can plan, it’s best to do them back home.”

Typhoid

“Living in Beijing, typhoid is not a very big risk. It’s only if you’re living in or traveling to very remote areas,” says Dr. Liang. “We don’t have that vaccine because China hasn’t approved it yet and China doesn’t make their own.” She adds that you need to get a booster shot every three years to maintain immunity.

UPDATE: Tetanus and rotavirus vaccines are now available in China.

Which vaccines are needed in China that aren’t on most Western vaccination schedules?

Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B

The reason some vaccines aren’t available in China is that some diseases just aren’t such an issue here. But, conversely, there are certain diseases that do exist in China that Western vaccination schedules may not account for. “That includes Japanese encephalitis,” says Dr. Krippner. “The disease is now rather rare comparatively, but that’s because every Chinese child is vaccinated. If all Chinese children are vaccinated, it means it’s still an issue,” Dr. Krippner cautions. He also recommends getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you haven’t already gotten these shots.

Getting all the vaccines you need before you come to China is ideal, as it allows you and your family to have a full level of immunity upon arrival. However, if the full course of vaccines recommended really can’t be completed before your relocation, Dr.Caligagan advises that you can still get these vaccines once you arrive in China as a last resort. If you need to move in the middle of your child’s vaccination schedule, Dr.Caligagan advises talking to your pediatrician to ensure a smooth transition of your child’s care.

I’ve heard that vaccines in China can be unsafe. Is this true?

“Vaccines, in general, are safe, especially when they are manufactured by reputable pharmaceutical companies who adhere to the highest ethical and evidenced-based standards,” says Dr.Caligagan. Our pharmacists run the BJU pharmacy according to worldwide service quality and patient safety standards. We are committed to ensuring medication safety and improving patient care.

What vaccines can my child get in China?

Below is BJU’s recommended childhood immunization schedule:

For more information about vaccines for children, please contact the BJU Family Medicine Department or the BJU Pediatrics Department.
Operating Hours, Family Medicine Department:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8 AM – 7 PM
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 8 AM – 6 PM
Operating Hours, Pediatrics Department
Monday – Sunday 8:30 AM – 5 PM.
To make an appointment, book through the BJU WeChat portal (ID: BeijingUnited) or call the 24-hour service center at 400 891 9191.

Dr. Reinhard Krippner is a German Family Medicine physician at the United Family Liangma Clinic. He speaks German, English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Indonesian.

Dr. Lijun Liang is an American Family Medicine physician at Beijing United Family Hospital. She speaks English and Mandarin.

Dr. Jet Caligagan is a highly experienced pediatrician from the Philippines. He has over 20 years of clinical experience.

Photos: Beijing United Family Hospital, Unsplash

Recently there have been many new regulations introduced in light of Coronavirus. For expecting mothers, one of those new things might be finding out that you can’t bring your partner into the exam room.

AmCare Women’s and Children’s Hospital has insisted that spouses wait in the waiting area or literally outside the door during exams. For the expecting moms who don’t speak Chinese, the hospital will send in their own translator to assist, but will not allow your spouse to translate even if they’re Chinese locals.

This adds extra stress for expecting mothers. While it’s disappointing that you can’t share the experience of seeing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time with your partner, it’s still manageable. Smart phones can take relatively decent videos, after all. But what about the moms who are due any day now? Will they really have to go through it alone while their partners are asked to wait outside?

While a bit of panic and annoyance has rippled though a few expat mom-to-be WeChat groups, we reached out to a few hospitals to clarify the situation.

AmCare has insisted on the no spouse policy, but not all hospitals are following suit. Beijing Oasis International Hospital has issued the following public announcement:

各位领导，同事，质量安全部和护理部在近两日对预检分诊情况巡查时，发现探视者、陪同就诊家属较多，而目前我市新冠肺炎疫情防控形势依然严峻。为进一步降低交叉感染风险，强化疫情防控，从今日（2020/2/13）起我院对陪诊、陪护、探视限制如下：
1. 门急诊就诊每位患者仅限一位家属陪，儿保患儿原则上仅限一位家长陪同；
2. 住院部停止探视，如需家属陪护，每个房间仅限一位家属陪护，且尽量固定陪护人员；
3. 所有患者、家属、陪护到院后均需接受体温检测及筛查
质量安全部在市场部、总务部的帮助下别在南门外、儿保门口、二层和三层病房外设立了水牌告知患者及家属我院疫情期间探视和陪护制度进行告知，也将我院在疫情期间探视和陪护制度告知客服部及Call Center，请他们在进行预约时对患者及家属进行宣教。恳请各位协助落实！
质量安全部
2020/2/13

Quality and Safety Department and Nursing Department inspected the triage of pre-examination in the past two days and found that there were many visitors and accompanying family members. However, the prevention and control situation of coronavirus in our city is still severe.
In order to further reduce the risk of cross-infection and strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic, from today (2020/2/13), our hospital will impose the following restrictions on company, nursing, and visiting:
1. In outpatient and emergency treatment, only one family member is allowed to accompany each patient. Only one parent is allowed to accompany the pediatric patients;

2. The inpatient department shall stop visiting. If patients are needed to accompany, only one family member shall accompany in each room, and the accompanying staff shall be fixed as far as possible;

3. All patients, family members, and escorts shall be subject to temperature detection after arriving at the hospital

With the help of the Marketing Department, General Affairs Department, Quality and Safety Department set signs in the south gate, outside the pediatric gate, the second, and third floors ward to inform people who are visiting. Also inform the customer service department and Call Center of the visiting and accompanying system of our hospital during the epidemic when making appointments. Please help to implement!
Quality and Safety Department
2020/2/13

Oasis will continue to allow spouses in exam rooms as well as delivery rooms, but limit the number of family members to just one, including dad in every step of the pregnancy journey.

Beijing United Family Hospital has commented that while they have taken extra measures to ensure the safety of the mom and baby, they are still allowing one family member to be the accompaniment in exam rooms.

It’s worth noting that the spouse ban is not a confirmed city-wide regulation for maternity hospitals, it’s recommended that you call your hospital in advance to inquire what your hospital’s own policy is.

Photo: Tim Bish on Unsplash

You’re about 36 weeks pregnant. And instead of blissfully planning the arrival of your new baby, you’re desperately wondering how to keep yourself and your soon-to-be newborn safe amidst the coronavirus scare that’s looming over Beijing.

For those who have got their minds set on leaving, contact your doctor first for a checkup to make sure you’re in a safe condition to make the trip. For those who are staying in Beijing, we’ve sought out advice from professionals to help put your worry to ease.

Professor Joseph B. Shumway is Chief Medical Officer at Tianjin United Family Healthcare. Dr. Shumway came to China 30 years ago to work with the World Health Organization (WHO), which included setting up China’s first mammography breast cancer screening program.

Dr. Shumway helped answer some of the concerns Beijing’s expecting moms are currently facing. Should expectant moms be doing anything in addition to wearing masks to protect themselves and their babies? According to Dr. Shumway hand washing, avoiding individuals who might carry the virus, and getting the flu shot is important. He stresses that “[flu shots]are safe during pregnancy”.

Though there’s no need to panic just because you’re too pregnant to fly out of the country, you should take extra precautions to keep yourself safe. “Pregnancy is a difficult time to be sick,” Dr. Shumway tells beijingkids. “Respiratory infections are difficult to treat during pregnancy. Avoiding getting sick is the most important advice. With that said, we do not have any reports of infected pregnant patients with coronavirus.”

Another pressing concern for soon-to-be moms is the danger of the coronavirus to their newborn baby. Dr. Shumway says that while it’s not fully known whether newborns are in any extra danger, breastfeeding will help. “If breastfeeding, they are protected to the same level as their moms,” Dr. Shumway tells us.

Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) has taken new precautions to upgrade their facilities with the goal of being suitable to be one of the fever clinics that can treat sick patients. We had a chat with Dr. Sha Sha Yu, Department Chair of Obstetrics and Obstetrician at BJU on the actions and precautions that pregnant moms should take, along with the looming reality that some might need to give birth before Beijing is deemed safe again.

What do you recommend pregnant mothers do to help protect themselves and their babies from the virus?

If any family member has confirmed or suspected 2019-nCoV infection, they should stay away from the child; both mother and child should wear a mask. Child-appropriate masks are available. It’s unsafe for infants (under 1 year old) to wear masks.

Practice general hygiene – parents should wear masks to protect infants who are not suitable to wear masks. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and discard the tissue into a closed bin, then wash your hands with running water and soap. Avoid kissing the child, breathing directly towards the child, feeding the child, or sharing eating utensils or cups.

Strictly follow proper hand hygiene practices. Ask the child to wash his/her hands and avoid touching surfaces or objects in public areas. Avoid picking the nose with fingers, sucking on fingers, rubbing eyes, or touching surfaces in public areas (e.g., elevator buttons). Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet. Teach children how to wash their hands properly.

Keep the house well ventilated. Open a window for 30 minutes to one hour, two to three times a day. Keep children warm while windows are open.

Clean and disinfect the household areas using household disinfectants. Avoid children playing with your phone. Clean the phone, iPad, or other toys. Clean toys in boiling water for 30 minutes if possible, otherwise spray with an alcohol-based disinfectant and place under the sun. Use a disinfectant to mop the floor one or two times a day.

Play sensibly and rest. Avoid watching TV or playing video games for a prolonged period. Exercise if possible. Encourage children to take part in household chores and get the recommended amount of sleep.

Should expecting mothers be worried about giving birth at this time?

With preventative measures taken at every step leading to giving birth, the risk of contracting a virus infection should be limited. It’s essential to strictly follow the preventative measures described above.

When you come to the hospital, make sure you wear a mask and limit your time of staying in the hospital as much as possible. If you have to wait for procedures or tests, consider staying in an open area rather than indoors.

Any general advice you’d like to share with women to stay safe right now?

The standard precautions to the public apply to mothers and children. Food safety is also a priority during pregnancy.

Also, keep in mind to eat a balanced diet and exercise at home if possible.

Keep an eye out for other symptoms such as rhinitis [inflammation of the nasal passages], pharyngitis [swelling in the throat], common cold, constipation, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Avoid going to hospitals if unnecessary.

Last but not least, expecting mothers can seek medical advice and follow the proper precautions to protect themselves and stay calm so that they are in the best shape to protect their children and loved ones.

References:
[1] 最新！妊娠合并新型冠状病毒感染管理策略建议！
[2] 湖北省儿童医学中心发布新生儿、儿童新型冠状病毒感染防控措施
[3] Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public. Accessed online on January 28, 2020.
[4] 怀孕生孩子那些事 之 “武汉肺炎”时期的产检攻略

Photos: Unsplash

The Year of the Dog is coming to an end and we will soon be ushering in the Year of the Pig. We hope that 2018 brought you good health and happiness and that 2019 will be your best year yet. Should you have any need for our expert care, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is always here to lend a helping hand and help you on your way to a happier, healthier you. From birth to old age, BJU is with you all the way.

Click below to watch BJU’s Chinese New Year video!

The whole team at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) would like to wish Beijing Kids readers a very healthy and happy Year of the Pig!

This post is provided by Beijing United Family Hospital
Images courtesy of Beijing United Family Hospital

The Year of the Dog is coming to an end and we will soon be ushering in the Year of the Pig. We hope that 2018 brought you good health and happiness and that 2019 will be your best year yet. Should you have any need for our expert care, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is always here to lend a helping hand and help you on your way to a happier, healthier you. From birth to old age, BJU is with you all the way.

Click below to watch BJU’s Chinese New Year video!

The whole team at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) would like to wish Beijing Kids readers a very healthy and happy Year of the Pig!

This post is provided by Beijing United Family Hospital
Images courtesy of Beijing United Family Hospital

Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of insecticides (which kill bugs) or herbicides (which kill weeds), these are collectively known as pesticides. There is mounting evidence that organics are really better for us, not just for our bodies, but for the health of our planet as well.

Last year the British Journal of Nutrition published a paper in which they reviewed 170 studies comparing organic to conventional foods. They found that overall organic milk and meat was higher in omega 3 fats. Omega 3s are a group of good fats that have a long list of health benefits, and protect against heart disease and stroke. These healthy oils have anti-inflammatory effects, shown to counteract some of the harmful effects of pollution. More and more studies are demonstrating there is a difference in the nutritional content of organic produce, specifically in the amount of antioxidants, although some show the levels to be comparable. What is very clear is that antioxidants help protect against pollution, so for those of us living in this big city, extra antioxidants are a must. And if organic produce helps supply even a little more, why not? Eating organic certainly won’t harm us. Antioxidants like vitamin c are naturally found in various fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, mango, citrus fruits and kiwis.

In Beijing the key to organic eating involves knowing where to source one’s food. Organic milk is easy to find in international grocery stores. Organic meats on the other hand are tougher to procure. One well known, trustworthy source for organic produce, meats and eggs is tootoo.cn. Their website has an English version which makes it very easy to navigate. They also carry non-organic “green” products, so be sure to read the description carefully when you shop. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables are best purchased from individual farms you know and trust. It can be challenging to do this research, but ask around, some people have already done the legwork. One reputable farm with excellent service is DeRunWu. The owner left his job as a chemist and started organic farming because he wanted to provide clean, safe food for his family and live in harmony with nature. You can find their website at bjchano.com. This farm is truly a labour of love.

From an environmental standpoint there are many positive effects when we support organic farming. Ground water is kept cleaner through the use of environmentally friendly pest control, like crop rotation, symbiotic relationships and organic fertilizers. Organic farming avoids the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) thus taking a cautionary approach for the benefit of the planet. Organic farmers also preserve the biodiversity of our food chain. One simple example is by using heirloom crops which often attract different types of insects, birds and other wildlife.

I’ve shared with you many great reasons to go organic, but if for whatever reason that’s not an option, don’t fret. The key to a healthy diet is having an abundance of vegetables and fruits, regardless of whether they’re organic or not, so keep calm (eat a carrot) and get your health on!

Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Rodriguez