Today's Rant- Dirt is GOOD FOR YOU!

If you don't believe me, read this article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?_r=1&em
"Dr. Weinstock goes even further. “Children should be allowed to go barefoot in the dirt, play in the dirt, and not have to wash their hands when they come in to eat,” he said. He and Dr. Elliott pointed out that children who grow up on farms and are frequently exposed to worms and other organisms from farm animals are much less likely to develop allergies and autoimmune diseases."
Interesting antecdote: While in Ethiopia to pick up our daughter, I noticed how silly Americans can be with our obsession with germs. One of the parents was feeding raisins to her new child, a child who just months earlier was living in a mud hut with a dirt floor. A raisin fell on the immaculate marble floor of the Guest House, the mother said, "Oooh, yuck, let's not eat that!"
I've also noticed that my friends and family who often use sanitizer and are "germ freaks", have children who are constantly sick with something or other. Thankfully, my filthy children who live in my filthy house are rarely sick. I remember B being sick 3 times in his 6 yrs and SJ has not been sick once since she arrived home 10 months ago.
Rant over. :)