Wednesday Wisdom: Breast is Best per a Friends Request

A friend of mine who happens to be a strong breastfeeding advocate and lactation consultant blogged:

Every Mother, Every Child: Breastfeeding Not Breast Cancer: The other day a distant cousin of mine sent me an e-mail on Facebook talking about a fundraiser for a Breast Cancer foundation.  It was some...

Moody Monday: No Gold Metal

To all the amazing women out there that do it all: wake up early in the morning to get the children clothed, fed, and off to school..go to work for 8+ hrs at a job that sucks them dry, rush home to help with homework, while cooking dinner, making lunches, signing notes, taking children to various activites, in and out of carseats, nursing ouwees, nursing a baby, baths, combing hair, bed time stories, cleaning the house, washing laundry, etc. to then complain to someone at the end of the day how exhausted you are.

If this sounds like your typical day...STOP and think what's missing from this list?

If you realize you didn't take one moment for yourself just to breathe, you're right on point. I am this woman. But it dawned on me that at the end of the day there is no academy award for doing it all alone to exhaustion. We must learn to say "no", ask for help DIRECTLY, and rejuvenate our spirits.  With a cup half empty what more can you give to others? It can start with little things:

1. Pray when you first get out of bed them breathe fresh air for 5min

2. Take a bath at night at least once a week
3. Have your children massage your feet (maybe a $1 entices them lol)

4. Take a evening walk
5. Journal
6. Tea in the back yard with some music
7. Dance at home to your favorite music

Wednesday wisdom: They are what you think

Did you know that babies feel all of your emotions in the womb and as infants? Stress, anger, sadness, joy, everything affects your baby. Be very aware of your surroundings, thoughts, and desires to nurture healthy spirit in your punkin ;)

Moody Monday: 143

There is nothing more healing than the human touch.  Its even more necessary and intimate during pregnancy and birth.  The physical, emotional, and chemical reaction that happens during love making is the same energy reinacted during the childbirth phase.  But we live in an era that thrives on technical energy much deeper.  How do we bring human touch and relationships back?  Put down the phones, ipods, laptops, and game systems for just 10 minutes to start.  Instead talk to your partner, rub each others feet, go for an evening stroll, go to a mountain top or beach and just listen.  Its as simple as that! Little things go a long way to creating new rituals.  Touch someone today and have a conversation to renew your spirit.

Feasting Friday: Juice does a body Good

I love juicing, especially first thing in the morning to help wake you up.  Here is one of my favs to make:

2 beets
1 orange
4-5 smaller carrots
Juice in your juicer :-)

You can add or take away more to your taste.  This will give you a huge boost of vitamin C, iron, beta carotene, and calcium: all the essentials needed for pregnancy and postpartum.

Moody monday: The Queen

It was Mother's Day yesterday!! With 3 daughters, the known phrase in my house is "I'm a princess and mommies the queen".  My 5 year old even made me a crown in class that said that :)  Yesterday started out a bit bleek for me, but I made sure I didn't lift a FINGER to get my r&r which is challenging and almost impossible for me. I had a magnificent day with my family doing nothing: perfect honor.

How did you get your royal treatment?

Feasting Friday: Kids choice

My 3yo and I made these amazingly yummy snack that just so happens to be healthy for you ad packed with protein and fiber!  You can find the recipe here:

We used agave nectar for sweetner, added gogi berries, no coconut. I think I'm gonna scale back on the peanut butter and sweetner a bit next time, but the varieties are endless!

Feasting friday: Hydration

Summer time is approaching soon and for us desert folks, its already here. To keep your body hydrated don't reach for those drinks packed with sugar and food coloring. Instead make this natural electrolyte drink which is great for pregnant, laboring and postpartum women too.

Make a big pot of red raspberry tea from loose herbs or even premade bags. Add raw honey, fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp of natura sea salt of your choice.

Red raspberry strengthens your uterine muscles.
Raw honey provides tons of vitamins and minerals but it must be raw not the clear processed stuff

Wednesday Wisdom: WHO Recommends Midwives

I always talk about how phenomenal midwives are and its not to ignore the great work physicians do by any means.  Doctors also have a necessary place with regard to pregnancy and birth.  The world needs more midwives for the health and safety of our women and children, and even the World Health Organization agrees.  Check out the 10 Facts on Midwifery

Moody Monday: Life

In light of International Day of the Midwife which just passed May 5, let us not forget the many women and babies that transition during the process of birthing.  Midwives one of the immediate vessels of life and death, it just comes with the territory.  Every persons timeline of living is granted just for them, they are sent with a specific purpose - to teach a certain lesson.  However, as a community, we all must work harder to take care of our moms and babies to reduce the PREVENTABLE losses we face daily. 

In the past week alone I have two women deal with loss and horrible postpartum healing including infections in the womb.  THIS is why I started Ama Traditional Support Services and this blog for that matter.  The hopes is to extend more information to families and recreate community that takes care of these precious souls.  I encourage you today to "follow" this blog, spread the word about this blog, and do something, ANYTHING, for a momma near you.

Moody Mondays: Think Before You Speak

So what do you think about these comments?

Wednesday Wisdom: GMO's

Our food supply is beyond disfunctional and its very difficult to trust that the higher ups have our best interests at hand.  Please read and educate yourself a bit more on the choices you make daily with the food you purchase.