Strange September

A few years ago Greg and I created alliterations for the fall months...not in order to become a self-fulfilling prophecy but because we thought we noticed a trend. After summer was over, it sometimes just felt like things got harder (usually the back-to-school schedule in graduate school added some challenges).

Anyway, there was "Sucky September" (offensive, sorry!), "Odd October," and thankfully a reprieve, "Nice November."  Since I have young ones now I try not to use the word "suck," so I'm swapping it out for Strange September.  And this September has been slightly strange only in that it's been a very different September than any other!

stitches + a sunburn around his eyes = hot mess

Mainly because we are homeschooling two days a week and Mia goes to school two days a week and our weeks feel busy and full and...different.   And I have a little man who likes to throw wrenches into our homeschool days by falling off a chair the very first day of homeschool, cutting his chin, and requiring 6 stitches (hello, trauma!)  I won't lie, that was a really hard day for this mom as well.  Like, immediate crying in the doctor's office when he told me he would require stitches.  I think it's the mama-bear protection instinct when you just ache inside for your little one.

The other wrench a little man threw into our advent into homeschooling/schooling was when he came down with a stomach bug the day before we were to have our family pictures taken with my girl Laura Hinely before she MOVED indefinitely to NYC 2 days later (speaking of, anyone needing some photos in the Big Apple should check her out!). That meant scheduling was priority and we wouldn't have many options or really ANY option to reschedule.  As a mom, of course I wanted my little man to feel better just for his own sake, but I also was hopeful he'd feel better for the pictures' sake as I didn't want this opportunity to pass by!

Well, as I was simultaneously trying to get things ready for our photo shoot and take care of Gabe, I came across the brilliance that is activated charcoal.  I read about activated charcoal on Wellness Mama's blog and how she used it for teeth whitening, and I'll be honest, my pearly whites were more like pearly off-whites.  They needed some love.  Yet I wasn't keen on the Crest White Strips as I tried them before we got married and they made my gums sensitive and felt really chemical-ly.  So I was excited to see that for less than $8, you could buy some 90 capsules to try activated charcoal in order to whiten your teeth! It looks like you have oreos on your teeth at first but it really works.  It's gradual, but it works.
I assumed activated charcoal had other uses and lo and behold, it can be used for stomach bugs (Gabe's very issue)!  So fascinated about it, I wrote this guest post for Modern Alternative Mama about activated charcoal.  You can read it here:
http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/09/21/activated-charcoal-new-must-have-in-my-natural-health-arsenal/

And oh yeah, Gabe recovered in 24 hours and we were thankfully able to get those family pictures made.  Can't wait to see the actual files soon! (These are just screenshots from Laura's computer from her iPhone.)

PS: School has been great for the chiquita!  She's a champ.

Living Life Unplugged

Original Photo by MTSOfan on Flickr

About a month ago, I was struggling with my attitude. I wasn't getting the necessary things done around the house I normally accomplished, I was distracted with my kids, and I was feeling guilty and depressed about how I was using my time. I realized it was time to take a Facebook fast. Greg had taken an extended twitter break since May, so I knew I could break some ties with another social media giant. I deleted the Facebook app off my iPhone (horrors!!) and if I needed to check something on there, I'd get on my laptop (which is "more work," which meant if I'm feeling lazy, the extra steps to plug in laptop and point browser to Facebook wasn't always worth it).

Photo by Sparky on Flickr

The fast lasted about two weeks, and then I added the Facebook app back onto my phone.  I also put the Facebook on a different screen and not my homepage, so that it wouldn't be the first thing I'd see when I looked at my phone.

Since the fast, I've thought about what it means to purposefully unplug. I love to be connected to others digitally or in real life so putting down the phone can be a real challenge at times, but you can read my guest post at Modern Alternative Mama about 4 ways to mindfully unplug here.

What are your thoughts on intentional breaks and fasts?

3 simple meals in 30 minutes or less

Bacon & Sweet Potato Hash
Photo by thebittenword.com at flickr

I like simple. And I like fast.  So this week while we've been sharing a car as one is in the shop getting some repairs, my typical late afternoon meal prep time has been squashed so that the kids & I can pick Greg up from work. We've enjoyed the time together in the car, but it means dinner must be made fast.  Slow-cooker meals would definitely work in these instances, but our mornings have been so busy too I haven't had the chance to throw something in there earlier in the day!  So, fast meals it must be.

These meals can be adapted for various diets, and you can go so far as swapping the type of ground meat, bacon or potatoes that are required in a few of the recipes.  

Here are 3 simple meals you can make in likely under 30 minutes!

Real Simple's Speedy Sloppy Joe's

(Potential modifications: using ground beef instead of ground turkey; using homemade salsa; using a different biscuit, bun or breading or opting out completely if grain-free.  We made them Monday night with hamburger buns instead of the tube of buttermilk biscuits.)

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey; 1 cup of fresh salsa; salt & pepper; biscuits or buns

Serious Eats Bacon & Sweet Potato Hash

This is our new favorite and go-to meal!  We modified by only making the bacon and sweet potato hash; we did not make the eggs or avocado cream, but for even a more filling & complete meal you certainly could!  

Ingredients: 

1lb bacon; 1-2 sweet potatoes; 1 medium onion; butter; salt & pepper to taste

Modern Alternative Mama's Quick Beef & Potatoes

Very similar to bacon & sweet potato hash just variations on the ingredients list!

Ingredients: 
1 lb. ground beef (preferably grass-fed); 4 – 5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced; 4 tbsp. butter; 1 tsp. onion powder; Sea salt 

For any of these meals, I may steam or saute a veggie on the side, which hardly takes any time as well. 

What are your favorite quick & easy meals?

Dangers lurking in your fabric softeners...and other fragrance-filled items?

Ain't nobody got time for that!

Sometimes, when we hear "this {everyday, common, household} item is toxic," we roll our eyes and think, "yeah, yeah, so is everything else!" or we may rebuff and minimize or choose not to believe it.  A common reply is, "I've used this product my whole life, and I'm fine."  Maybe that is true, but I know of a real account, that took place to a friend of mine, who was not fine.  And it involved a common household item.  Please read on...

source

They're marketed to us everyday in ads, commercials, in store flyers.  Buy these fabric softeners so your clothes will be soft and smell fresh.  Of course we want soft, clean-smelling clothes. Who doesn't? It's one of the comforts of fresh laundry and smells can evoke memories, pleasant thoughts, and lift mood.  According to HowStuffWorks.com, "the olfactory bulb is part of the brain's limbic system, an area so closely associated with memory and feeling it's sometimes called the "emotional brain," [and] smell can call up memories and powerful responses almost instantaneously" (source).  That's why the scent of dryer sheets, or the smell of a laundry detergent our parents used growing up can remind us of pleasant childhood memories.  

But what lies behind those fragrances is not always so pleasant.

My friend, "E.," who has a young daughter in elementary school, became a little alarmed when she noticed signs of early puberty and development in her 8 year old.  She noticed she was already showing signs of developing breasts and was experiencing some vaginal discharge.  This was not normal for her family history to begin puberty so early, nor had it begun happening yet to her other daughter, who was only a year older.  My friend was asked by her sister, "What are you using in your laundry?  You need to look at your fabric softener."  Initially, the idea seemed so unusual to her. "No, no, it could not be my laundry!" 
But, mortified by what she was noticing in her daughter, she continued to look into what was causing this sudden development.  
Someone else told her it might be the fragrances in her detergent and fabric softener, and she still was unmoved to believe it.
It took a third person mentioning it, and a visit with a chiropractor who does muscle-testing, to confirm what her friends knew was probably true.  It was indeed the fragrance in her fabric softener leading to the signs of early development in her young daughter.
[As a sidenote:  already ate a clean diet of grass-fed, hormone-free meats and dairy products, so she knew the source was not from additional hormones or antibiotics in her meat and dairy products.]

Relieved, shocked, and disgusted, she began on a mission to let everyone know to avoid these.  As soon as she took out the fabric softener, over the course of 4 weeks, her daughter's signs of puberty began to dissipate. Now she is looking to remove all signs of fake fragrance from her home.

Why fabric softeners contain a nasty ingredient and you don't know about it
As I googled "fabric softeners" and let my browser auto-populate for me, the first suggestion was "fabric softeners toxic."  I found that fabric softeners contain many toxic ingredients which can enter the body through our skin or through inhalation (source).  
One of the ingredients is phthlates, which are "used in scented products to help the scent last longer, phthlates have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive system problems" (source), emphasis mine.

There are at least 9 more toxic ingredients in fabric softeners, according to organicauthority.com:

• Alpha Terpineol: can cause central nervous damage and respiratory problems
• Camphor: causes central nervous disorders, is easily absorbed through skin
• Chloroform: a carcinogenic neurotoxin preferred by Ted Bundy
• Benzyl Acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer
• Benyl Alcohol: respiratory tract irritant
• Ethanol: on the EPA’s “hazardous waste” list, can cause central nervous system disorders
• Ethyl Acetate: a narcotic on the EPA’s “hazardous waste” list
• Limonene: a known carcinogen that irritates eyes and skin
• Linalool: causes central nervous system disorders and depresses heart activity (source)

OrganicAuthority.com says instead of using a chemical-based toxic fabric softener, "buy a $5 set of dryer balls, switch to a soy-based softener, or add a quarter-cup of baking soda or vinegar to your wash cycle."

Source

There are alternatives to fabric softeners are simple, but did you know that these "phthlates" lurk in other items we may use in our homes?  It's used in "perfume, hair spray, deodorant, almost anything fragranced (from shampoo to air fresheners to laundry detergent), nail polish, insect repellent, carpeting, vinyl flooring, the coating on wires and cables, shower curtains, raincoats, plastic toys," just to name a few (source).

Seems I'm not the only one concerned.  In January 2013, Maia James, blogger at http://www.gimmethegoodstuff.org, wrote about phtalates on HuffingtonPost.com.  She wrote:  

"Phthalates are thought to mimic and displace hormones and interrupt their production. This can have a range of unpleasant effects.

Some examples:

• In 2009, a small Taiwanese study on humans showed that phthalates passed from mother to fetus through the placenta affect female babies, sometimes resulting in abnormal sexual development.

• Boys who are exposed to higher levels of certain types of phthalates in the womb may show less masculine behavior (measured by playing with trucks and play fighting) than boys who are exposed to lower levels.

• Pregnant women exposed to phthalates in the workplace were found to be two to three times more likely to deliver boys with the reproductive birth defect known as hypospadias.

• A 2009 study determined that phthalate exposure correlated with premature breast development in young Taiwanese girls.

• A 2007 study found that higher levels of phthalates detected in the urine of adult males was associatedwith increased waist circumference and insulin resistance" (source, emphasis mine).

James shared ways to avoid phthalates and shared since they're not likely to be labeled on products as such, but rather under the names "fragrances" or "parfum."  Avoid these like the plague and look for items that say "scented with essential oils" or "phthalate-free" or "no synthetic fragrances."  

I know those glade plug-ins and febreze air fresheners are ever so popular and it is lovely to walk into a home that smells good, but James cracks down on the synthetic air fresheners and offers some synthetic-free alternatives at http://www.gimmethegoodstuff.org/air-fresheners/.  Check it out.  

For now, I'm going to be using baking soda & vinegar in cleaning, maybe testing out some essential oils, or letting some mulling spices (cinmamon, anyone?) simmer on the stove if I want my house to smell nice.  

This is Megan with your neighborly public service announcement.  ;)

What would you do? Have you ever known anyone to have such side effects from fragrances?  What are your plans to eliminate?

Real Food Changes: Salt

Almost every food belief I ascribe to these days probably flies in the face of modern conventional health, but if today's health scene doesn't delight you (and it probably shouldn't, seems like there are loads more diseases and obesity problems today than there were a century ago), then it might be worth a shot to start looking at some other options.

Salt has been giving a bad rap; it raises blood pressure, throws things off, and contributes to cardiovascular disease.  This is definitely true if you are using regular table salt, which is simply 97 to 99 percent sodium chloride, but may contain additives (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt).
(I know, why can't the normal things we normally use just be safe?!)

But guess what, the solution isn't hard.  If you live near me, then you definitely have access to the best kind of salt, REAL sea salt, just a few minutes down the road at your health food store. You might even be able to find it at Super Target (I did once & did an internal happy dance)!  It is delicious, full of minerals, and is all-natural.  If you are reading this blog then I also assume you have access to the internet and you can find it online at Amazon.com as well! Link here: Redmond Real Sea Salt.  Redmond also sells as these major retailers: http://realsalt.com/find-real-salt/.

Why this kind of sea salt?
According to The Healthy Home Economist, "celtic sea salt contains over 80 minerals, including iodine, and is part of a healthy diet [...] helps normalize all functions in the body that require salt to take place such as protein and carbohydrate digestion, brain development in children, and optimal functioning of the adrenal glands" (source: choosing a healthy salt).
If your salt is purely white, it means that most of the nutrition and minerals have been removed!

I love throwing this salt on my savory dishes, and using it in baking.  It is delightful on popcorn, scrambled eggs, or mixed in with ground beef to make hamburger patties.  You can even order little travel-size shakers of Real Sea Salt so you never have to dine without it!  Horses love it too.  (Just ask my brother Luke.)

What's your favorite kind of salt? Have you ever tried the pink salts? Himalayan? Real sea salt?

I'm craving something salty now...off for a quick snack!

Getting the Sleep we Need

I saw this photo of a newspaper excerpt on my Facebook feed today and man, did I *like* the junk out of it.

Do you feel you get enough sleep? Chances are, if you're a parent of small children, probably not.  Nearly every mom I talk to says the minute their kid(s) go to bed is the time they take to get things done around the house or do something for their own leisure.  Plus, with TV, social media and our smartphones, sometimes it's impossible to disconnect and really hit the hay.

This has been on my mind lately as I've thought about how crazy kids can get when they're overly-tired; imagine how it must be draining to us adults as well on so many different levels: physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.  Not giving our bodies a chance to renew itself every night takes its toll.

So, here's my confession that I need to do a better job of "unplugging" and hop into bed at an earlier hour, and also not to feel guilt that I don't jump out of bed in the morning like Greg but instead to try to catch a few more Z's until I'm the only responsible adult left in the house.

Also, here's a handy tool to help you figure out what time to go to bed if you're trying to get the most restful sleep based on REM cycles.  Check it out! http://sleepyti.me/

Let's get more sleep! :D

*Actual article linked here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2292195/Its-official-Women-ARE-grumpier-men-mornings.html 

My child is almost 4 and has never had antibiotics (directly)

My child is almost 4 and has never had antibiotics (directly)*.



I shared that information with a pharmacist the other day and she looked at me and said, "Woah, really?"  I guess I never really thought that maybe that is an unusual thing for an almost 4 year old, but the more I thought about it the more I realized how often I hear of other kids her age being on antibiotics at least 1-2x/year for some kind of infection.

I believe antibiotics have their time and place in medicine and I would not hesitate to use antibiotics in the right situation.  They can be life-savers and I'm thankful they were created so that we can use them in and at appropriate times.  An important distinction though is that appropriate times do not mean ALL THE TIME.

*Personal note: I was on antibiotics for over 5 years.  I shudder to think of the actual length of time I was really on antibiotics because, really, was that necessary? Absolutely not.  But, I was seeing a dermatologist for acne, and an antiobiotic is what she prescribed, and because I didn't want to deal with broken-out skin (the embarrassment! the horror! the scarring!), I dutifully took it as directed.  For the better part of my older teenage years and early 20s, I took an oral antibiotic and I rubbed a topical antibiotic on my skin. I also took antibiotics after Mia was born at least 3 different times because I could not get over mastitis without it.  FWIW, I did not get mastitis after Gabe's birth.  Cleaned-up diet for the win!

Why am I cautious about giving my kids antibiotics?

• Because the infections were not life-threatening.
• Because I knew given proper rest and a good clean diet, the infection could heal itself on its own.
• Because simple infections that are treated with antibiotics often come back again and again.
• Because antibiotics kill all the bacteria (both good and bad) in your digestive system, leading to a whole host of other problems.

In some cases, giving my child an antibiotic would've been much easier than the alternative course.  It's not as much fun restricting diet when your child has an infection, or making sure they consume garlic, or elderberry syrup, or trying to get them to guzzle warm tea.  A fruity tasting liquid antibiotic or chewable capsule would've been far easier!  But it may not have been in their best interest health-wise.

So, how have we handled illness and infections?

• Clean up the diet from any processed foods or refined sugars.  Depending on severity and duration of symptoms, dairy and grains may also be removed.  Consume homemade bone broth.
• Increase dosages of Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO). It has high concentrations of Vitamin A and Vitamin D, which are essential to prevent and regain strength from sickness.
• Consume elderberry syrup. (Be careful if you or child have autoimmune issues, too much may not be good for you.)
• Add liquid garlic (or consume raw garlic, if an option) to food or sneak in condiment like organic or homemade ketchup --> voila, garlic ketchup! Yum!!
• Treat infection topically with colloidal silver or orally take colloidal silver.
• Relax and replenish the body with soothing Epsom Salt Baths (provides magnesium).
• Add probiotics into diet to give digestive system a little boost.
• Visit your chiropractor!  This has helped immensely by visiting as soon as symptoms are noted - a simple adjustment often puts things back in alignment and your body can better respond.  A chiropractor working with children should use gentle fingertip pressure.  Mia often says this "tickles!"  I have also cleared up nasal drainage the first time I went to an acupuncturist!  The Chinese weren't messing around!

There are loads of other ways to treat illness. I refer often to Wellness Mama's post on Natural Illness Prevention & Beat Cold, Flu and Fever Faster.

These are ways you can naturally manage infections, like colds, ear infections, upper respiratory, and even skin infections.  

Will we ever use an antibiotic in the future? I am not a crystal ball reader, but chances are quite likely that the answer is yes.  For now, we will continue on this path and do what we can to preserve healthy gut function.  

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical doctor or a physician. I am "just a mom" who has done a lot of research.  Please consult with your primary care provider or holistic physician if you have questions regarding these recommendations.

What do you do to stay healthy? How do you limit or avoid antibiotics?

9 ways to get well during cold & flu season

croupy sad baby

In my community it seems there is always something germy passing among the small kids and families.  It just seems to be a fact of life.  I'm not a germaphobe (nor am I a clean-freak, perhaps the two go hand-in-hand?) but of course, we like to stay healthy and not experience illness if at all possible.  Of course, it isn't always that easy. Just recently, we had a round of croup with the youngest one of our brood, and here is what we tried to help him get better.

Humidifier
Photo Credit

1. Clean up the diet. It's sort of hard to "clean up" a breastfed baby's diet that much, but I tried to give him homemade chicken broth if possible, mix coconut oil into his pureed fruits or veggies, and focus on giving him foods with lots of Vitamin C.  Fermented cod liver oil, which contains Vitamins A & D, is extremely helpful, but go easy with little ones.  If you're really still struggling, remove grains & sugars from your diet, and load up on the probiotics.  
2. Saline spray & suctioning. By far, this goes on the list as one of the LEAST favorite activities for a baby, but putting a salt water solution up their nostrils and sucking out the mucus with a nose bulb helps clear their nasal passages and allows them to breathe better.  Just be prepared for a few tears.
3. A humidifier with a few drops of essential oils like Tea Tree or Eucalyptus.  We ran the humidifier every single day for about as strong as we could to help moisten the air and to allow nasal drainage.  
4. Homemade vapo-rub.  I made a recipe very similar to this one last year and I have used it on the feet and chest.  
5. Oil of Oregano can help relieve congestion, among many other benefits. Be careful to dilute it in another oil like olive as it is VERY strong.  (Thanks to JMK for this recommendation.)
6. Colloidal Silver works for so many things. You can take it orally or even spray it in your ears for ear infections.
7. Elderberry Syrup is an absolute necessity in your medicine cabinet for colds & flu.  It's loaded with antioxidants and tastes yummy too.  If you give it to a child under one, make sure the formula you have does not contain honey.  
8. Homeopathy: See my post on what to stock in your medicine cabinet for specific remedies.  Our favorites around here are Aconitum, Chamomilla, Pulsatilla and Byronia Alba.  
9. Chiropractics: Whenever we're coming down with something, a quick visit to the chiropractor often helps as there is probably something out of alignment. Chiropractors can be especially helpful with childhood ear infections.  When Gabe's ears were inflamed several months ago, we saw our chiropractor 3 times in 4 days, and Gabe improved rapidly.  

runny noses are no fun

How did these work out for us?  Well, Gabe had croup for ~6 days (the longest bout we'd ever experienced for either child), and naturally broke his own fever the last day, and then was over it.  I think the fever was the last straw, and once he got over that, the croup was finished.

There are no doubt many other things you can do try to try get over the common cold or typical fall & winter illnesses. What are your tried-and-true home remedies?

Guest post!

I'm not a mom of school-aged kids yet but I have packed a few lunches in my day for playdates, appointments, and such (thanks to my mom for teaching me how!) ... and today, I'm (*gulp*) doing my first guest post over at Modern Alternative Mama!  Come check me out! 

Hint: this does NOT involve Lunchables.

Organic or Conventional? 4 reasons to still choose organic

Organic or Conventional, what's the difference?
Well, according to the most recent news off the block from Stanford, apparently not much. This summary of the research, from a NY Times blog, explains, 

"A new study by Stanford researchers has added fuel to a debate about the differences between organic and conventionally grown foods. The Stanford report, an analysis of 237 studies of organic produce, meats and dairy foods, concluded that organic foods are no more nutritious than their conventional counterparts."

When I first heard the report, I initially thought, "Okay, well then I guess I shouldn't feel so bad when I do eat conventional produce, which is probably 40-50% of the time" (based on what I buy according to EWG's Dirty Dozen list).  But the more I got to thinking about it, the more irked I was. I don't believe the study was funded by outside sources, so hopefully there are no conflicts of interest, but here is why buying organic, when available and possible, is worth your while:

1. There's no "safe level" of pesticides for our bodies, regardless of what the FDA says. Yes, our bodies were created in an amazing way to weed out nasty things and release toxins, but the environment, processed foods, needless drugs and antibiotics often take their toll on our bodies, making it harder and harder for organs such as our livers to do their jobs.  Choosing organic means one less toxic thing we put into our bodies and one less thing our bodies have to wrestle with, and many have reported whether it's anecdotal or scientifically documented, improvements in health upon switching to organic.
2. Choosing organic means you're not supporting GMO or genetically modified foods.  These are foods, which as the name suggests, are genetically changed so that the foods are bigger, different colors, or so that apples won't turn brown when cut open.  GMO is a really hot topic right now, and if you want to learn more about it, see here: Millions Against Monsanto
3. Choosing organic can often mean you're supporting a smaller-scale family farm or at least a farm committed to not contributing to the toxic effect we all feel from pesticides and nasty chemicals in our land, water, and food.  I'm not a farmer, but the fewer chemicals we have around us, the better.
4. Pesticides are connected to ADHD and other diseases.  It is especially important for a pregnant or nursing mother to remove as many pesticides from her diet and choose organic when she can.  Occasionally, I feel silly for trying to ensure that most if not all of Gabe and Mia's fruits & veggies are organic (again, according to EWG list), but when I realize all the other things they're up against in this world, it's just one other protection I can offer.

There are surely more reasons than just these four, but they are the first that came to mind. 

For now, I'm going to continue to buy organic when I can, based on availability and finances.  It might not always be possible, and the Dirty Dozen list changes yearly, so things will always be in flux, but I don't think this new Stanford finding will change much of what I do.

What about you?  Do you buy organic?  Conventional? How has this new Stanford report affected your thinking about buying organic?

Can you shop real food at a wholesale club and still save money?

For almost 4 years, we've had a membership at a local wholesale club.  We've used our membership for various things. In the beginning, it was certainly for gasoline, and various paper products.  We still use it for that today.  I previously used it on different food products like cereal, milk, juice or sports drinks, and other packaged or frozen snacks.  Throughout my gradual progression into real food, though, I obviously buy less and less or none of those products anymore.  We have kept our membership because we feel like the savings on bulk paper products and the gasoline was worth it, but I hadn't perused the store in quite a while until yesterday.  (Things had to get majorly simplified for me for a while after adding a 2nd kidlet.)

Shopping bulk also means bigger carts!

We went yesterday during the non-event of Tropical Storm Isaac here in southern Florida.  First of all, my kids were mesmerized. I don't know that Gabe has ever set foot inside BJ's, but he was entranced by the lights and all the items.  Mia thought all the displays were pretty interesting.

Once we got what we were looking for, we walked through the aisles checking out various products.  I was happy to see more natural or organic products stocked on their shelves.  I tried to capture both the product and the price in the picture on my smartphone (remember I was also pushing 2 kids in a cart), so hopefully you can view what it is and the price....

Honest Tea, 12 pack for $10.99
(Honey Green Tea; White Peach Tea;
Half Lemonade-Half Tea)

Applegate Farms nitrate-free
Center-Cut Bacon (3-12 oz packages bundled for $11.29)

Applegate Farms deli meats & cheese
2 packages bundled for $6.99

Daisy Sour Cream, 2 lbs for $2.99

Organic Butter (salted or unsalted),
2-1lb packages for $6.99

Brie, 12.3oz, $5.99 (this was for my friend Mo)

Organic juices, $3.49-$3.99

Organic lemonade, $3.29

32 oz. Grade A Maple Syrup, $13.29

Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate, 3lbs, $8.99

Huge bag of baking soda (13.8lbs), $6.69

Organic Basil 2.8oz, $3.49

2-pack (44oz. each) Heinz Organic Ketchup, $6.79
(might still contain MSG, but no High Fructose Corn Syrup)

Newman's Own Organic K-Cups, 80 for $39.99
(Source)

Would I normally buy all of these? Maybe, maybe not.  But at least I know that these are an option should I ever want to buy some of these products in bulk and just down the road from my house.  I'm all for finding the best prices on items, but occasionally convenience and proximity to my home win out over lowest price.

Note: I did not capture the prices on organic produce or dried fruits or nuts. Maybe next time!

These may not be the best prices on everything as compared to your traditional grocery store or natural health-foods store, but I know that there were some deals among those items, like the sour cream, the Brie, the basil spices, Grade A Maple Syrup, and the Applegate Farms products.  Compared to a very popular traditional grocery chain in Florida, and my local healthfood store, I know these were definitely better prices.
Also available are Newman's Own Organic K-Cups for $39.99, which can be used in Keurig Brewers.  That's a pretty good price considering you're not paying shipping ordering from the Keurig website.

What about you? Do any of these stick out as "deals" to you, or are you able to find many of these products at lower price at other stores?  If you are not part of a co-op or buying club, where do you purchase similar groceries?

Food you can USE // White Chili Recipe

One of our favorite meals around here is White Chili. It doesn't matter if it's the "dead of winter" (a laughable phrase here in Florida), or the intense heat of summer, we tend to enjoy it all year long. It is easy to enjoy it too, as it has some pretty simple ingredients.  I used to make this all from canned and premixed ingredients, but now I've upped my game and I use homemade or from-scratch ingredients when I can.

If you've tinkered in real food for a while, then you know that roasting a chicken and making stock from the bones renders several benefits.  The collagen in the broth (from the bone stock) helps several systems and functions in your body, and the broth helps your digestive tract. Not only is it good for helping you when you're sick, it's also great for keeping you from getting sick. Win-Win.

You might also know that soaking and cooking dry beans is also highly encouraged in traditional food prep, for lots of reasons. If you soak and cook your own white beans, then they will be ready to use in this recipe (instead of using canned).

And if you still have leftover chicken from roasting a chicken, you can throw it in this chili!  I love using something from the beginning to the end and feeling like I really got some use out of it.  Sometimes food bloggers say things like, "Roast a chicken for dinner, make stock overnight with the bones, then throw the leftover chicken in enchiladas or a chicken pot pie," as if it were really intuitive.  That intuition for me is gradually growing, but for a newbie, I could see how that would not be intuitive. But in this recipe, all you really need is your leftover chicken, diced up (and estimate at what 1lb is).

Here's the recipe, courtesy of my friend Angie (my notes are italicized):

White Chili

1 lb chicken, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 ½ tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp vegetable oil - I omit this or sub coconut oil
2 cans (15 ½ oz) northern white beans, drained - or 2-3 cups of soaked, cooked white beans
1 can chicken broth - 14-15oz homemade chicken stock
2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies - canned food is usually not recommended because of BPA, but I haven't found a better substitute - has anyone else?
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
8 oz sour cream - I use Daisy brand, available at most grocery stores
½ cup whipping cream - I use fresh, raw/low-temp pasteurized cream if available

Cook chicken with onion, garlic powder and oil until chicken is cooked
thoroughly. Combine the rest of the ingredients (which includes the chicken) except the
creams in a medium stock pot. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer. Continue
to simmer for 30 minutes. Add the creams. Stir all together. Serve with tortilla chips
and sprinkle with cheese.
Serves: 6


Enjoy!

My experiences with a birth doula...

Recently, I was asked to provide a reference for the birth doula I used for both Mia and Gabe. Partly for my own benefit (I love to write and chronicle events), and partly for my brain's benefit so I could reduce my experiences down into an actual reference letter, I spit out the story of how I met my doula (most likely will be released as a sitcom, sometime...never).  You can read all about it...here (editor's note, because it spans about 3 year's time, 'tis a tad lengthy):

Just a little biographical history first...
In early winter 2008, I went with my friend in nursing school to a special screening of “The Business of Being Born” at USF.  I went with her out of simple curiosity. I wasn’t pregnant nor was I expecting to be anytime soon, and I was not particularly opinionated about it. However, while watching the film, I began to realize how amazing and powerful giving birth could be, if surrounded by the right people and in the right environment. Then and there, I decided that whenever it might be my time to bring life into the world, I would do what I could to have it be as peaceful and empowering as I saw it could be.
After the screening, there was a panel discussion with OBs, nurses, midwives and doulas. I remember listening to one of the doula groups there and thinking, “If I ever got pregnant, I think I’d want her to be my doula.”  It was a woman with a mild Southern accent and fierce blue eyes.  i just preserved these thoughts until the time came...

Little did I know, about 8 months later I’d be finding out I was pregnant and expecting our first child.  After switching from a regular OB/GYN office to a local birth center, I began educating myself even more on how to best succeed at natural childbirth, particularly as a first-timer.  I saw handouts in the lobby at the birth center about doulas, so one day at an appointment, I asked the midwife whom she recommended, and she referred me to Touched by an Angel. It was her immediate response and so I called the number on the brochure, got in touch with Stefany (the “other” Stefany who owned TBA at the time), and within days, she and Stephanie were at my door, ready to meet me and my husband, go over any questions we had, and share with us their practice, plans and procedures.

As soon as I opened the door to the two Stephanies, I realized these were the exact women I had observed only a year earlier at the screening of the Business of Being Born. It could not have been more providential, I thought!  And the Stephanie with the Southern accent was the doula I was going to be using, after my husband and I confirmed we did want to work with them. Thus, our working relationship began.

My experience with Stephanie was and has been tremendous. I relied on her for the rest of my pregnancy in answering lots of questions I had, preparing myself for childbirth, and utilizing her knowledge of natural medicine to combat some of the late-term pregnancy issues I encountered: high blood pressure, leg cramps, dizziness, etc.  She assisted myself and my husband greatly one night as I thought I was preeclamptic. She stayed calm and directed us to go straight to the hospital, where we were checked out, and thankfully determined to not be preeclamptic.  She was with us each step of the way and seemingly always available via text or a phone call.  I still doubted myself quite a bit in the beginning as a first time mom; I questioned my ability to be able to birth naturally, but Stephanie never questioned it.  It was like she knew I’d be able to do it, but she also knew and gently reminded me that should things change, it was all within the realm of “we can handle this, and that will be okay.” There was never any shame or insistence that to deviate from our preferred plan meant failing.  It was a great balance between having a calm, confident assurance while also staying flexible to the ever-changing needs during pregnancy, labor & delivery.
When it came to the real labor day, Stephanie was a real asset to both me and my husband.  Once we realized things were actually happening, she came over to our house and observed me for a while, much of the time interacting with my husband to get a sense of how I’d been doing and what he had seen -- this was a big help for him as well as he had obviously never attended a birth. She helped us determine when it was time to get to the birth center and followed us there. While there, she remained a calm, gentle but assertive presence, ever determined to help me get my labor in the right direction. We spent hours walking, squatting, hovering over a toilet, in the bathtub (the last two, of course, I did by myself!), working together, with my husband as well, to get my baby ready for her debut.  She watched my physical cues and also knew when I needed to eat, drink, or take a breather.  

When it was finally time to push, both my husband and I were a little overwhelmed at the realization our baby girl was about to enter the world.  Because we were at the birth center, she was able to provide us with different tinctures and natural remedies to help us handle all the emotions that can accompany labor. She gave me Skull Cap, and him Rescue Remedy (I believe) to help him handle the emotional stress so that he could help me get through the pushing.
Within minutes, our baby girl was born, and she was there to help us with latching and all the components that follow after a delivery.  Her job was not over yet.  Far from it.

There were some unique things about our birth that required extra attention--things you can never predict. Our baby was born at a very low birth weight--unfortunately too low for the birth center to allow us to go straight home with our baby. She had to be seen by a doctor that very night, so we had no choice but to take her to the hospital.  She and the midwife helped us work with a hospital to figure out where to take her, and she kept in touch with us throughout the night as we were there at the hospital.  Since she was so small, she made recommendations as to what to do to help her eat and feed, and she came over the next day to help me with latching.  It took a few days but eventually, everything was ruled out for our baby girl and we were able to take her home and start our new lives as parents.  

Technically, you are given as much emotional and physical support as you need from your doula, during your pregnancy, delivery, and the first 6 weeks after.  
I found her support to be much more lasting than that.  

Again, unexpectedly, two weeks after our child was born, I found my leg to be in a lot of pain.  I had also been dealing with back-to-back rounds of mastitis. I really was pretty miserable and feeling pretty guilty over my postpartum situation. A low birth weight baby, breastfeeding problems on top of infections, and now my leg hurt so bad I couldn’t walk very well. I desperately wanted things to get figured out and be okay. I told Stephanie what I was experiencing and she encouraged me to get checked out soon by the midwives. Based on what my chiropractor had said there was suspicion I had a blood clot, but I didn’t really understand what it all meant at the time.  The midwives surmised this as well, and within hours, I had an ultrasound on my leg, which confirmed a deep vein thrombosis.  This was utterly surprising as my only “risk factor” was the fact that I had been pregnant. I did not meet other typical characteristics of those who had blood clots. However, Stephanie has special experience in this area, because she herself has a blood disorder (APS) and she knew all the precautions I needed to take. After that experience, which I sought medical treatment for, I consulted with Stephanie on all the things I should take to build my immune system and naturally thin out my blood. She was a warehouse of knowledge I wouldn’t have had access to if it weren’t for the fact that she had been my doula.
Because of her, I feel like I was able to turn my health around I began to rely more and more on her for treatments to even everyday issues like stomachaches, baby fevers, and diet consultation.  It was truly a lifesaver.  

Without a doubt I knew if we got pregnant again, I’d be calling Stephanie.  And so we did.

Our second time around, we knew we would be in the hospital because of my history with a blood clot.  I was even more jazzed about using Stephanie because I knew she had an arsenal of experience in hospital settings and had even more knowledge now because of her nursing training.  She had also completed a course in Kangaroo Kare, which helps mom and baby bond immediately after birth, thus improving breastfeeding success rates.  This was highly important to me as I really struggled with this the first time around.  

Throughout my pregnancy, I regularly texted with Stephanie about my dr’s appointments, the various doctors I’d met with, my medication regime, any ongoing issues I was experiencing, like nausea, heartburn or the like, and she was always available to chat with me or give me suggestions. We’d really built a good relationship by this point in time.  
We met with her again to discuss our birth plan, go over our remaining questions (and since we were having a hospital birth, we still had a lot!) and talk about how we anticipated the “birthday” to go.  

Before we knew it, it was go-time. I had kept Stephanie in the loop, so she knew that there was a possibility I could deliver early, and sure enough, I did.  
As I started my labor, I let her know what was happening, and just like she had done before, she came over to observe me and it didn’t take long for her to know that it was time to make our way to the hospital. She rubbed a special labor oil on my belly before we left and then followed us in her car and was ready to meet us at TGH.
Her familiarity with the hospital and its staff made a big difference as she was able to advise us on what to do and how to handle things, and their familiarity with her allayed any fears I had about bringing a doula to the hospital.

Things went just as smoothly as they had before, even with my inexperience with the hospital birthing system.  The great thing about Stephanie is she keeps her cool and remains calm no matter what. Once we were past triage, Stephanie helped me figure out how to get back into what I call the “labor zone.”  She suggested getting into the labor tub in our hospital bathroom, dimmed the lights and even provided soothing birthing music, which eased my transition back into focusing on labor. For the next few hours, she and my husband just provided emotional and some physical support as I moved around in the tub, sat on the toilet, and waited for the doctor to check me again.  Although I don’t remember this, she told me later she reapplied labor oil to my belly again during the middle of my labor.

While your body sort of takes control in labor, it is nice to have someone there as a guide or source of knowledge for comfort and reassurance.  When the doctor came in later, he checked me and said my bag of waters was still intact and I was 8cm dilated, but fully effaced.  He gave me two options: break my bag of waters and labor would probably speed up right away, or let it break on its own, and wade through labor possibly a couple hours longer.  I asked him for a minute to consult with Stephanie and my husband, and discussed the pros & cons with her.  Having her there for a reality check and a quick discussion (is this risky? is this okay?) helped me confidently make the decision to have my waters broken.

Within minutes, I was ready to push. And minutes after that, my baby was born! It was an incredible experience and I was so delighted to have succeeded again in a natural delivery with minimal intervention.  She helped me and my husband get ready for and excited about delivering again, she was a positive force in the labor and delivery room as we worked through distractions and needed energy and focus during the pushing, and she guarded me and my new baby “like a hawk,” to ensure that bonding and breastfeeding was able to happen smoothly after delivery.
I held my baby for at least an hour after he was born, and delayed the newborn bath and assessment. I wanted to get to know him as much as possible and improve our chances at breastfeeding success as much as possible, and Stephanie’s assistance with that made a strong impact.  Latching on is a little difficult for my babies at first, but it eventually happened and I’m thankful to report he is a great breastfeeder at 6 months. 

Once again, I was thankful for her presence and assistance.  She checked in on us at home days later to see how everything was going, and this time they were going even better than they were with our first baby.
I still rely on her for various tips, homeopathic remedies, and natural healthcare consultation (all via text)! I love that we have formed a relationship that now spans over 3 years and has helped me grow as a mother.  If you’re looking for someone that knows the ins and outs of the medical system, hospitals, has attended numerous births of all kinds (home, birth center, hospital, cesareans), and is a reliable, dependable, punctual and extremely knowledgeable resource, then I wholeheartedly recommend Stephanie as your doula!

Your baby is HUUUGE!

Mia at 4ish months

Good words I didn't know if I'd ever hear :P

So maybe I grow small babies in the womb but once they "pop out" as Mia says (she borrowed that terminology from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, thank you!), these babes seem to grow!

Gabe had his 4 month check-up on Friday and here were his stats:
16.02 lbs (75th percentile)
26.5 inches (90th percentile)
and 75th percentile for head circumference (I don't have that exact measurement)

check out that chubby midriff //
Gabe at 4ish months

Everything else looked good, despite a little nasal congestion, some funky remaining umbilical cord stubble (his belly is so chubby I never see inside his belly button until I bathe him - which is honestly, infrequent), and cradle cap.  I asked about his spitting up and it seems that since he gains weight so well, it's just a physiological reflux and not to worry about it--hope that's the case! And oh yeah, keep massaging his tear ducts since they seem clogged.  So, while that sounds like a LOT, it actually makes for a worthwhile appointment, otherwise it's just checking his vitals, a quick meet & greet with the doc, and that's it.

He's a good eater, a pretty good sleeper (every baby/kid/person has their days...and nights), and generally happy, so I think we'll keep him.

Which is probably good for him, because if I ever leave his presence, he somehow still finds me, hones in on me, and gives me this look:

Gabe's very serious and studious mommy-don't-leave-me look

Another Mia at 4ish months

Having said all that though, he seems to be having trouble staying settled tonight, so I best be going...