Thursday, July 26, 2012

October Baby



I'm crying just watching the trailers; I better bring a tissue box to the theater!
My heart goes out to woman struggling with the decisions surrounding a crisis pregnancy. I volunteered at a CPC (crisis pregnancy center) for years. Ever since I was a little girl I have longed to adopt children! That desire only grows with time. So stories like this make me pray... and cry... and pray more! I pray that many who watch October Baby will find healing! 

Hibiscus and Mint Iced Tea recipe

Hibiscus Mint Iced Tea

Hibiscus & Mint Iced Tea:


8 tbsp of Hibiscus Petals
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
4 cups boiling water
2 cups organic apple juice
 
2 cups cold water
In a large saucepan, combine hibiscus petals, mint and boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain Hibiscus and mint and add in apple juice and cold water. Stir and pour into pitcher. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint sprigs. Serves 8 


I received this recipe through Coyote's Natural Medicine's email newsletter. Sign up to get 20% off all Coyote's Natural Medicine Products with a summer promo code! Contact info: coyotesnaturalmedicine@gmail.com 407-699-4207


But HURRY the 20% is only through the end of July.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Donating breastmilk



Being a mom & a donor myself now, I feel even more passionate about this then ever before!! I feel blessed to know I'm blessing not only my daughter, but someone else's child. I get excited when I get an update on the growing baby's weight gain and smile when I see pictures. I'm getting teary eyed typing this! Will you join me in growing & saving babies?!! let's learn more... 




Trailer for Donor Milk:





"Overcome by her loss, a mother survives by sharing her baby's gift of life. Every baby deserves human breast milk and every grieving mother deserves to heal." (less than 15min film)


Donate/receive milk:

Eats on Feets
Get Pumped
Human Milk 4 Human Babies
Human Milk Banking Association

Facebook

Donor Milk
Eats on Feets
Eats on Feets Florida
Get Pumped
Human Milk 4 Human Babies
Human Milk 4 Human Babies FL
Mothers Milk tea
Modern Milksharing

Miscellaneous sites

Breastmilk contains stem cells
Milk Share
Modern Milk Sharing blog
World Milk Sharing Week

For those that want to do something but can't donate milk. 

You can help

  • Make a meal/buy groceries for a donor mom
  • Donate money or supplies
  • Donate time to a mother who can donate (e.g. occasionally volunteer to watch her children so she can pump)
  • Be a supportive employer, co-worker
  • Best of all PRAY for babies that need milk, families who are grieving, for people to become more informed about the benefits of breastmilk & the option for donor milk!


Please consider donating- You could save a life!!


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Folic acid vs Folate



Clearly, it’s important to get adequate amounts of folate in the diet; but folic acid, which is the supplement form found in many fortified foods, and in multi-vitamins and prenatal vitamins, is an entirely different beast. Simply put, it is not a good idea to supplement with folic acid: 


 1. A Norwegian study published last month found that heart-disease patients whose diets included folic acid fortification and supplementation were 43% more likely to die of cancer. 


 2. Another study found that while whole-food folate consumption was not associated with any increased risks, folic acid supplementation increased breast cancer risk by 32%. 


 3. Equally alarming is the study that found that folic acid supplementation by pregnant women increases the risk of childhood asthma by 26%. 


4. Still other studies have linked folic acid supplementation to prostate and colorectal cancers. 


Copyright © 2010, by Mitra Ray, Ph.D. 






Eat foods high in folate and take Juice Plus with naturally occurring God made folate from plant sources!!! Anyone who wants the pdf explaining this, with the list of studies mentioned above, can email me for it. 


Foods that are naturally good sources of folate include many beans and vegetables and some fruits: 


Black-eyed peas 
Lentils 
Okra 
Kidney beans 
Great Northern beans 
Broccoli 
Iceberg lettuce 
Beets 
Lima beans 
Sunflower seeds 
Spinach 
Brussels sprouts 
Corn 
Asparagus 
Baked beans 
Green peas 
Baked potato 
Cabbage 
Avocados 
Peanuts 
Romaine lettuce 
Tomato Juice 
Orange juice 
Strawberries 
Oranges 
Eggs 
Bananas 


from http://pediatrics.about.com/od/nutrition/a/908_folate_food.htm


Monday, July 2, 2012

Link between MMR & Autism













This post & website are not a replacement for a health care provider & the advice given should not be considered a diagnosis or treatment. Seeking a professional care provider is the responsibility of the reader.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Green Smoothie Recipe


Drink this soothing, nutrient-dense beverage every morning or whenever you want a healthy snack. It will fill you up and help reduce inflammation.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped fresh kale
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen spinach
1½ tbsp hemp seeds
1 tsp chia seeds
½ avocado
½ banana
½ apple
1 cup coconut water
A few drops of stevia for added sweetness (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and serve over ice. 

Sunday, May 13, 2012

May is Postpartum Mood Awareness month

 Kaleen Richards CNM (midwife), ARNP, speaks about the difference between postpartum blues vs postpartum depression, risk factors and much more in this informative talk!


Some highlights from the above video: 

What to watch for AFTER the 1st week:

~ Crying every day &/or all day long

~ Not responding to the baby

~ Not caring for yourself or the baby
(This means long term. It's expected that some days your so tired you'd rather sleep in than take a shower; especially with in the 1st 6 weeks. Also there is a difference if you desire to take care of your self & the baby, but feel physically that you can't. As opposed to physically being able to perform those takes yet avoiding, denying or ignoring them. For example, weakness, extreme fatigue, short of breath, not having the stamina you used to, can be signs of low iron or anemia. Have your midwife or Dr check your iron levels. Increase iron rich veggies in your diet. Try green smoothies and check out my link list Juicing! There are natural supplements that are not only safe for, but also highly recommended when nursing such as Chlorophyll and Floradix)

Moms that are induced with pitocin &/or have a C-section have an increased risk of postpartum depression. I also want to bring awareness that often times fathers struggle with postpartum depression as well.

I like what she says "Dad it's your job to call me" if you see these signs of depression ('cause most likely he'll find it easier to call as woman often feel embarrassed to admit they are struggling).

Here are some natural remedies that can help with mild symptoms till you can get into see your midwife or Dr., have some blood work done and discuss it further with them. This list doesn't fix the root cause (e.g. hormone imbalance, lack of support etc)

Isotonix Calcium Plus
Natural Calm Plus Calcium
Rescue Remedy
Vitamin B complex
Hire a Postpartum Doula
Join a mom's support group &/or start one

I don't know of a mom's group in my area, so I started one! If you live near me, private message me for detail. We'd love to see you there =)



This post & website is not a replacement for a health care provider & the advice given should not be considered a diagnosis or treatment. Seeking a professional care provider is the responsibility of the reader.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Vaccine article highlights




This vaccine schedule list shows average of 80 vaccines by the time children are 6 years of age. Our Pediatrician states it's gone up. It's now 85 vaccines by six years! For the names & # of them, as well as for a list of vaccine ingredient see http://crystals-health-corner.blogspot.com/p/posters.html



FDA admits on its website that thimerosal is still in vaccines
"While the use of mercury-containing preservatives has declined in recent years with the development of new products formulated with alternative or no preservatives, thimerosal has been used in some immune globulin preparations, anti-venins, skin test antigens, and ophthalmic and nasal products, in addition to certain vaccines," writes the FDA on itsThimerosal in Vaccines page (http://www.fda.gov ). from Natural News



less than 0.3 mcg per dose, which is “Thimerasol free” according to FDA standards. This miniscule amount is apparently unavoidable from the “manufacturing process.” quote from http://
drcorneliafranz.com/joomla/
index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=1


Vaccines Containing Aborted Fetal Cells
-MMR II (Merck)
-ProQuad (MMR + Chickenpox -- Merck)
-Varivax (Chickenpox -- Merck)
-Pentacel (Polio + DTaP + HiB -- Sanofi Pasteur)
-Vaqta (Hepatitis-A -- Merck)
-Havrix (Hepatitis-A -- Glaxo SmithKline)
-Twinrix (Hepatitis-A and B combo -- Glaxo)
-Zostavax (Shingles -- Merck)
-Imovax (Rabies -- Sanofi Pasteur)

"In California, pertussis [whooping cough] rates are about the same in counties with high childhood vaccination rates and low ones." from ICPA 4 kids 





"Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. has been representing vaccine injured patients for well over a decade and currently represents hundreds of patients experiencing adverse reactions to vaccines across the United States.

For more information on the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, or if you are a victim of a vaccine injury, contact the law offices of Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. at (888) 952-5242 or fill out our online vaccine injury case review form at http://www.mctplaw.com/vaccine-injury/." from $61 Million Dollar Settlement for a Child Injured by a Vaccine




This post & website is not a replacement for a health care provider & the advice given should not be considered a diagnosis or treatment. Seeking a professional care provider is the responsibility of the reader. 


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Acid Reflux in Newborns



My daughter had acid reflux. Calling a lactation consultant made a difference overnight (literally) we went from DAILY choking, projectile vomiting, hours of nursing, to a rare projectile vomit when I ate something I shouldn't have.


If this is something you think your little one might have then your 1st priority should be to call a lactation consultant &/or go to a LLL meeting (even if you find these tips helpful, because each baby is different. Also it will help you emotionally. I just felt better after talking on the phone with the lactation consultant, even though nothing had changed yet)




Watching what you eat. I ate a lot fresh fruit the 1st several days, thinking I was being so healthy. It turned out they were the types of fruit that increase reflux.


Foods to avoid:
Gassy, acidic, diary, caffeine...
More specifically
Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, strawberries, citrus, ice-cream, milk
(cheese & eggs for some babies)

Record a diet diary along with babies reactions/symptoms for at least a week. With that info you can begin an elimination diet; meaning completely stop eating the trigger foods, till you see improvement. What I was told is that babies can react to a food through nursing, in general within 2-12 hours and it can stay in their systems for 2 weeks or more.


Do not cradle hold but prop baby up during feedings. Then hold them in an upright position or prop them on a boppy, carseat or swing after.



Probiotics - liquid


Gripe water or Mylicon or enzymes


Homeopathic colic tabs


Acid Reflux=  Hazelwood -OR- Hazelwood w/Baltic Amber Beads from Hazelaid


Tips for non-nursing babies 
with acid reflux


Special formulas still may have cows milk or high allergens like corn. I read the ingredients to some special formulas that they are probably charging you an arm & a leg for while you still have a crying baby. This is what I read: corn, corn, treated cows milk, more corn!! Keep in mind, much of this corn has been genetically modified which doesn't agree with adults digestion, let alone babies! Maybe baby is saying "Please mommy no more CORN!" 

"Casein hydrolysate formula... is made of cow's milk that has been treated... But there isn't enough research to say whether replacing standard cow's milk formula with casein hydrolysate formula will help your baby's colic. [2] [8]"


You are the best mom for Your baby! In other words YOU have the best mom instincts for your baby! If your baby appears to still be in pain, crying etc then the formula you are currently using may be the culprit no matter what the bottle/can or ads says!  




I recommend trying different options such as homemade baby formula or donor milkHere is an other recipe: Goat's Milk baby formula from Dr Sears



Babywearing & Chiropractic care can help fussy babies no matter what they are being fed!


Other ideas: Bicycling baby's legs, clockwise abdominal massage, legs to chest (these three are more for a gassy baby so be gentle & not after a feeding!)


I also had a fast/forceful letdown which compounded the reflux. Here are some tips and positions combined with tips mentioned above, stopped our daughters sputtering & chocking while nursing.

These are the things that helped us:



Lie down or "recline back so that baby is above and tummy-to-tummy with mom. See this information on upright nursing positions." from http://kellymom.com/health/baby-health/reflux/


Breastfeeding where both of you are sitting up/monkey position. I would prop her up on a boppy when nursing side lying.


This post & website are not a replacement for a health care provider & the advice given should not be considered a diagnosis or treatment. Seeking a professional care provider is the responsibility of the reader.



Snoring

Ideas to decrease or eliminate snoring:

Liquid Cal-mag

Reduce dairy (preferably cut out any mucous causing foods)

Exercise


What I mentioned above are just band aids. Finding the root cause is better for long term health:

See a natural Dr

Loose weight

Specialist/sleep testing


Most people just find it annoying but we must realize that this is a sign of what could be a serious health concern! People can die from side effect from sleep apnea. Insurance should help cover the testing & machine. If yours doesn't, I think the life of your loved one is worth the money you'll spend!

When my Dad went for testing they had to rush in 'cause his oxygen levels were so low & he'd stop breathing for around a min. Now with a breathing machine he finally feels better. Both my parents sleep better than they have in years! (Despite what you might hear people say about the machines they get if diagnosed with sleep apnea... my Dad's breathing machine is quiet.)

For your marriage sake & their health encourage your spouse to get help ASAP!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Healthy snack ideas



Ideas for making these recipes found on the above link even healthier:

I'd replace peanut butter with an other nut or seed butter. Peanut butter is a high allergen, high fat butter that can harbor bacteria for months even after processing. For more see salmonella in peanut butter.

Replace butter with coconut oil.

Some new ideas I just learned about & want to try

Healthy apple 'donuts'
Core an organic apple, slice it into rings, spread almond butter on top, then top with organic raisins, organic unsweetened shredded coconut, or chopped nuts  

Healthy banana split
Banana halves, spread on your almond butter and top with a healthy item listed above. Your kids will have fun topping them & everyone will enjoy eating them!

In a food processor mix dates with (almond, walnut, pecan, macadamia) nuts, organic unsweetened coconut, spices of your choice (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cacao, maca, pure vanilla extract, other natural extracts, vanilla bean, clove), mix it up! Roll into little balls and place on a cookie sheet... Pop in freezer for 15 min.






 click this to enlarge above pictures


 click this to enlarge above picture

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Infant Massage



In the birthing field I have used infant massage to help babies (& their moms!). Continuing to recommend it as often as I have opportunity to do. Recently I watched an instructional DVD from Netflix called Infant Massage (2002) which I recommend. It shows a massage of a baby & then of a toddler. At the end of the DVD it tells you where to massage if the baby has hiccups, is teething etc.
Also you can find you tube clips for relief from specific issues such as Colic. I’ll save you some time & post some here:


Preemie infant massage


Here's a LINK for an other video clip since it won't give me the code to embed it

I plan to check out the local library for more DVDs!