A lotus birth is when the umbilical cord is left attached to the placenta until it falls off on its own.
With my first son we did a full lotus birth and the cord fell off after 3 days (thanks to it dropping on the floor during a fire alarm). It was easy, I did however learn a few things.
1-salt the placenta heavily within a few hours. We didn't salt the first one until the 3rd day, but did use lavender the 2nd day, it smelled like rotten meat on the 3rd day.
2-encapsulating the placenta is possible with a lotus birth.
3-long cords are much easier than short ones. J had a long cord, so carrying his placenta around was no big deal, we wrapped it in cloth diapers, in a Tupperware, usually leaving it on a stool next to us. D had a very short cord, we did what I describe below (salting and putting it in a cooler on ice), however after 1 day It became an issue, so we cut the cord, it was already clamped naturally. I dont know for sure if the cord would have fallen off sooner than 9 days, as J was aired out the whole time and D was wrapped up so not aired at the belly, and the fire alarm incident. Also the morning after D and I got the proper latch (breastfeeding issues) his cord fell. Coincidence?
4-airing out the cord at the belly will dry it up faster
5-don't try to make it come out any faster than it will on it's own, cut or not.
6-be prepared to not leave the house until the cord falls.
7-wash the cord at the belly with warm water and a wash cloth as needed. We washed Ds 3 times. Js we never did.
8-in the first 24 hrs the cord will naturally clamp itself, and become thin hard and wire-like. This will make it more difficult to move the baby around, and will cause tugging.
9-with j being 4 at the time of Ds birth the cord got pulled on a lot, even D was pulling on it. Which is another reason why I'm glad we cut it after a day.
Benefits of lotus birth:
Baby continues to get nutrients from the placenta (until it clamps up naturally)
No concern about cutting the cord an possible infection from it.
No need to treat the cord, as is done with a cut cord.
Placenta smoothie: I did this with ds placenta after 4 hours.
Cut a thumb sized piece of placenta (remove membrane).
Mix in blender with coconut milk, bananas and strawberries.
I honestly didn't taste it. It was a great smoothie!
I read that of the placenta is digested within 24 hours the mother will get the full vitamins and hormones, after that they greatly decrease. A natural pitocin is still present the first 24 hours, which will help with bleeding and hemmorage.
Preparing placenta during lotus birth:
To do this, wash the placenta within the first few hours after birth. Removing the blood clots, allow it to drain using a colander over a bucket. Use one ziplock gallon size freezer bag, put alot of kosher salt on the bottom, put the placenta in the bag and cover with more salt. Then put that in another bag, close loosely. Place the bag inside a cooler with one ice pack under and one on top of it. Close the cooler loosely. Wash, drain and salt with clean bags and salt every 24 hours. Change the Ice packs as needed to keep the placenta cool.
To encapsulate the placenta:
Wash it, remove all blood clots, and cut the cord at the base of the placenta.
In a vegetable steamer boil water with lemon and ginger, steam the placenta for 15 min on each side.
Cut into as thin strips as possible and in place in a wax paper lined dehydrator. Dehydrate for 8 hours or until it is dry, will look like jerky.
Powder it using a food processor. Mine came out like tiny pebbles in powder.
Fill veggie capsules with it, either by hand or using a filler. Can be combined with other herbs, supplements, I didn't though.
I take 3 capsules 2 times a day, for 2 weeks and then only when needed, such as when feeling run down. Also I will be keeping what is left over for menopause. Store in dark container in fridge, can be stored this way indefinitely.
I found that taking the placenta pills makes a big difference in my energy and healing. I'm thankful that I figured out how to keep the placenta fresh even when doing a lotus birth.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Adventures in breastfeeding
With my first son, Joshua, breast feeding was easy, only when he was teething would I have an issue with nipple soreness and I even found out he was slightly tongue tied when he was 2 yrs.
David had issue with from the first moment.
I knew it was important for him to latch on in order to help with the placenta to come out, but with Ds short cord that was very hard. Also he just wasn't latching on. This may have been why it took twice as long for the placenta to come out then with J.
I thought that it would just naturally happen on its own, the latch, since J was so easy, but after a week, bleeding nipples, lots of pain and me crying I had a lactation consultant come over two days in a row. She taught me how to properly hold him, since my breast is so big, and his mouth so small, the best hold was the football hold. It took a day to get it right every time, and another day to get a proper latch on both sides.
I honestly didn't think it was the latch or hold, and the pediatrician told me he is not tongue tied, so I was at a loss. My friend is a LLL leader, we texted but she wasnt able to come over, so even though I thought I was doing everything right and assured her of it, she wasnt able to come and see for herself. I even made an appointment with an LC who is an MD almost an hour away, but then my friends mother in law who is a local LC came over.
While waiting for the LC to come over a friend of mine stopped by. I was trying to feed D with a medicine dropper, and expressed breast-milk. In desperation, we did that the night before, not knowing what else to do. D was not sleeping very long and nursing non stop, falling asleep after a few min and then waking up again a few min later. We became exhausted. So my friend went home and got me some bottles and pacifiers. I just had to surrender at that point. It was a great lesson in releasing judgement. Neither the bottles nor pacifiers worked out, and shortly after the LC came over and D got his first full feeding (at 8 days young). The next day his cord fell! I feel that is because he was not ready to let go until he had the proper nourishment.
I didn't know how I would leave the house-especially with only football hold working for us, but after 2 days I was able to bf in any position, and even bf'd him in the car, with no pillow or any other help.
So lesson learned! We are now pros! We can even bf laying down in bed.
I have heard countless stories of women having problems and just didn't understand why since J was so easy to breastfeed. Now I understand, and I see why so many women feel they have no choice but to bottle feed, and formula feed. It was a very painful experience, and without proper guidance and a good latch it almost feels like there is no other way. Many women turn to formula, thinking they aren't producing enough, but if the baby isn't getting much (which happens with a poor latch) the production will be low. As soon as the baby gets the proper latch the body will produce however much milk the baby needs. My milk was plentiful even with a poor latch because we just kept BFing despite the pain, so it took a long time, but d got fed. I also think that my body knew from J what D needed, and I would express the milk by hand if I got engorged.
So if your reading this and having trouble, I urge you to find a Lactation Consultant (or a few until u find one that works for you) or go to a la leche meeting. I watched so many videos and still though I was doing it right, it wasn't until I saw the LC that I found out what was wrong. Which was that D didn't open his mouth wide enough, my nipple was not pointed towards the roof of his mouth, he needed to be held tight up to my body stomach facing mine, and in the beginning a cradle hold didn't work for him.
And if after all that your experiencing difficulties, it's ok to bottle or formula feed, most people my age were formula fed and we are doing ok. There are also lots of women who will gladly give or sell milk, or even wet nurse. So many options are available, so let's be thankful for that!
And for you women who are breastfeeding, thank you for being a great example to others and making BFing normal again!
David had issue with from the first moment.
I knew it was important for him to latch on in order to help with the placenta to come out, but with Ds short cord that was very hard. Also he just wasn't latching on. This may have been why it took twice as long for the placenta to come out then with J.
I thought that it would just naturally happen on its own, the latch, since J was so easy, but after a week, bleeding nipples, lots of pain and me crying I had a lactation consultant come over two days in a row. She taught me how to properly hold him, since my breast is so big, and his mouth so small, the best hold was the football hold. It took a day to get it right every time, and another day to get a proper latch on both sides.
I honestly didn't think it was the latch or hold, and the pediatrician told me he is not tongue tied, so I was at a loss. My friend is a LLL leader, we texted but she wasnt able to come over, so even though I thought I was doing everything right and assured her of it, she wasnt able to come and see for herself. I even made an appointment with an LC who is an MD almost an hour away, but then my friends mother in law who is a local LC came over.
While waiting for the LC to come over a friend of mine stopped by. I was trying to feed D with a medicine dropper, and expressed breast-milk. In desperation, we did that the night before, not knowing what else to do. D was not sleeping very long and nursing non stop, falling asleep after a few min and then waking up again a few min later. We became exhausted. So my friend went home and got me some bottles and pacifiers. I just had to surrender at that point. It was a great lesson in releasing judgement. Neither the bottles nor pacifiers worked out, and shortly after the LC came over and D got his first full feeding (at 8 days young). The next day his cord fell! I feel that is because he was not ready to let go until he had the proper nourishment.
I didn't know how I would leave the house-especially with only football hold working for us, but after 2 days I was able to bf in any position, and even bf'd him in the car, with no pillow or any other help.
So lesson learned! We are now pros! We can even bf laying down in bed.
I have heard countless stories of women having problems and just didn't understand why since J was so easy to breastfeed. Now I understand, and I see why so many women feel they have no choice but to bottle feed, and formula feed. It was a very painful experience, and without proper guidance and a good latch it almost feels like there is no other way. Many women turn to formula, thinking they aren't producing enough, but if the baby isn't getting much (which happens with a poor latch) the production will be low. As soon as the baby gets the proper latch the body will produce however much milk the baby needs. My milk was plentiful even with a poor latch because we just kept BFing despite the pain, so it took a long time, but d got fed. I also think that my body knew from J what D needed, and I would express the milk by hand if I got engorged.
So if your reading this and having trouble, I urge you to find a Lactation Consultant (or a few until u find one that works for you) or go to a la leche meeting. I watched so many videos and still though I was doing it right, it wasn't until I saw the LC that I found out what was wrong. Which was that D didn't open his mouth wide enough, my nipple was not pointed towards the roof of his mouth, he needed to be held tight up to my body stomach facing mine, and in the beginning a cradle hold didn't work for him.
And if after all that your experiencing difficulties, it's ok to bottle or formula feed, most people my age were formula fed and we are doing ok. There are also lots of women who will gladly give or sell milk, or even wet nurse. So many options are available, so let's be thankful for that!
And for you women who are breastfeeding, thank you for being a great example to others and making BFing normal again!
Cloth diapers-SoftBums
When Joshua was born we wanted to use cloth but didn't have the right kinds and so that didn't happen for very long. This time around I did lots of research, and knowing other moms surely helped. I decide on SoftBums and am so glad I did! Thanks to my family and some friends who gifted them to me for my baby shower!
I've tried prefolds, gdiapers, fuzzibuns, Dappi, bumGenius aio, and a few others, the softbums have been my favorite.
They are an all in two, one size diaper. And they truly do fit a newborn, D was 6lb 11oz at birth. Lowest was 6-1 and they fit him! The waist and legs are fully adjustable, with the Echo the pods (inserts) snap in, making the cover reusable of they aren't soiled, if they get wet then I air them out before using them again. They also make the Omni which has an additional pocket option, sounds cool but I'm not sure I would use it that way. I have 8 mini pods, 3 regular stay dry and 24 super. I am exchange some of the super so I will have 12 of each. I did purchase some gdiaper cloth inserts (6) because I had store credit and really needed more while waiting for my exchange-i still haven't mailed it out, lol. The gdiaper inserts are called gcloth and they are almost the same size as the softbums mini pods. They to work just as well, the softbums pods may be a little drier.
With the amount I have now 8 mini, 6 gcloth, 3 dry touch pods, I have to do laundry everyday, and we partially EC. D is a heavy wetter, especially when I have too much salt. And he doesn't like to be even the slightest bit wet. the pods def wick away the moisture so the top (the side touching him) is dry and bottom is wet. However he still feels it and let's us know it's time for a change. D is breastfed, so his poo is very runny, which means that if he poos that diaper cover needs to be washed. We have been ECing (Elimination Communication) so we catch many of his poos before he goes in the diaper.
Sometimes I will use a prefold with or without the softbums cover. That's when he gets frustrated with me taking him potty and I know a poo is coming or when I want him to air out. I also have some inserts, I think they are terry cloth and micro fleece, that I use if I run out and am waiting for the laundry to be done.
I wash the covers if they get soiled or if they have been used for 1-2 days with pee. I generally wash 3-4 covers a day. I have 8 softbums covers and 1 fuzzibuns one size (from when I tried to cd J but im not a fan). I typically have 3 in air dry rotation- hanging on the side of the changing table to ensure he had a dry cover each time.
Storing dirty diapers: dry pail method. I use a covered pail lined with a receiving blanket (I don't have any diaper pail bags, but this works just fine for me). I was told if there is ever a smell to sprinkle in some baking soda right into the pail, so far I haven't needed to.
Washing is easy: 2 wash cycles and then dry. I remove the lint from the Velcro tabs and fold them over before putting them in the wash.
Cold-cold cycle -removed stains-with a small amount of soap.
Hot-cold cycle -disinfects and removes residue.
Tumble dry on high, the covers I let air dry on-top of the drier.
Notes:
Never use vinegar on the covers, it will make the PUL wear out.
I have started to put only poo soiled diapers in the cold wash and adding the pee ones in the hot wash.
I tried to air dry the pods but it takes a long time.
Sun drying will remove stains, odor, disinfect and of course dry them.
currently I am using a few drips of Kirklands free and clear, I plan on getting Purex free and clear, as the manufacturer suggests. I am finding that Kirklands is leaving a faint coconut smell, I like it but according to some websites it may leave some residue, which can cause rashes, build up and loose absorbency. Sometimes I put some baking soda in the wash as well.
Pros of SoftBums:
Truly fit any size baby.
Can be used with any inserts, prefolds, fitted, etc.
Easy to store and clean.
With the right amount of pods (fairly inexpensive) one could wait to do wash every other day or less often.
Easy to adjust.
Manufacturer will replace any defected covers for up to 1 year.
Trim fit, especially between the legs, and not bulky (at least with the mini pods).
Just as easy to use as a disposable.
With proper washing they stay clean and stain free.
Dry against baby skin, even when pod gets wet.
Mini pods can be used until 15-20 pounds, or doubled up. A doubled up mini pod is trimmer than a dry touch or super dry touch.
Only need about 8-10 covers for newborn to potty trained, they appear to be pricey, however considering that they are used for so long they are actually a money saver.
With the Omni there is an option of a pocket for the insert.
Comes with snaps or Velcro. I prefer the Velcro as it allows for a perfect fit.
Easy to adjust size, the legs are adjusted with an elastic and toggle hidden inside the cover.
Cons of softBums:
With a small amount of pods I need to wash every day.
After 2 weeks of use one of my covers started to come apart at the top seam, where the opening is to get to the elastic adjuster. The manufacturer is repairing it.
Another one of my covers had the plastic adjuster go inside the legging-so the leg opening was at the largest setting and I couldn't adjust it. I pulled it out and it's been ok since.
Update: at 6 weeks he's outgrowing the minipods-they fit but I need to double them up and make sure they are more towards the front, so I changed my exchange and had the nicest conversation with the woman at SoftBums, I love knowing I'm supporting such great people-company! She has even read my other blog, so cool.
I also have been able to use the super pods folded over, for nighttime when I run out of regular, and they are working great! A bit big for a 8 pounder but it doesn't seem to bother him.
I'm liking using the regular size pods now, and I don't have to fold them over, they are high waisted on him but I feel that will change fast.
I'm considering buying an Omni just so I can review it...
I'll update again In a few months.
I've tried prefolds, gdiapers, fuzzibuns, Dappi, bumGenius aio, and a few others, the softbums have been my favorite.
They are an all in two, one size diaper. And they truly do fit a newborn, D was 6lb 11oz at birth. Lowest was 6-1 and they fit him! The waist and legs are fully adjustable, with the Echo the pods (inserts) snap in, making the cover reusable of they aren't soiled, if they get wet then I air them out before using them again. They also make the Omni which has an additional pocket option, sounds cool but I'm not sure I would use it that way. I have 8 mini pods, 3 regular stay dry and 24 super. I am exchange some of the super so I will have 12 of each. I did purchase some gdiaper cloth inserts (6) because I had store credit and really needed more while waiting for my exchange-i still haven't mailed it out, lol. The gdiaper inserts are called gcloth and they are almost the same size as the softbums mini pods. They to work just as well, the softbums pods may be a little drier.
With the amount I have now 8 mini, 6 gcloth, 3 dry touch pods, I have to do laundry everyday, and we partially EC. D is a heavy wetter, especially when I have too much salt. And he doesn't like to be even the slightest bit wet. the pods def wick away the moisture so the top (the side touching him) is dry and bottom is wet. However he still feels it and let's us know it's time for a change. D is breastfed, so his poo is very runny, which means that if he poos that diaper cover needs to be washed. We have been ECing (Elimination Communication) so we catch many of his poos before he goes in the diaper.
Sometimes I will use a prefold with or without the softbums cover. That's when he gets frustrated with me taking him potty and I know a poo is coming or when I want him to air out. I also have some inserts, I think they are terry cloth and micro fleece, that I use if I run out and am waiting for the laundry to be done.
I wash the covers if they get soiled or if they have been used for 1-2 days with pee. I generally wash 3-4 covers a day. I have 8 softbums covers and 1 fuzzibuns one size (from when I tried to cd J but im not a fan). I typically have 3 in air dry rotation- hanging on the side of the changing table to ensure he had a dry cover each time.
Storing dirty diapers: dry pail method. I use a covered pail lined with a receiving blanket (I don't have any diaper pail bags, but this works just fine for me). I was told if there is ever a smell to sprinkle in some baking soda right into the pail, so far I haven't needed to.
Washing is easy: 2 wash cycles and then dry. I remove the lint from the Velcro tabs and fold them over before putting them in the wash.
Cold-cold cycle -removed stains-with a small amount of soap.
Hot-cold cycle -disinfects and removes residue.
Tumble dry on high, the covers I let air dry on-top of the drier.
Notes:
Never use vinegar on the covers, it will make the PUL wear out.
I have started to put only poo soiled diapers in the cold wash and adding the pee ones in the hot wash.
I tried to air dry the pods but it takes a long time.
Sun drying will remove stains, odor, disinfect and of course dry them.
currently I am using a few drips of Kirklands free and clear, I plan on getting Purex free and clear, as the manufacturer suggests. I am finding that Kirklands is leaving a faint coconut smell, I like it but according to some websites it may leave some residue, which can cause rashes, build up and loose absorbency. Sometimes I put some baking soda in the wash as well.
Pros of SoftBums:
Truly fit any size baby.
Can be used with any inserts, prefolds, fitted, etc.
Easy to store and clean.
With the right amount of pods (fairly inexpensive) one could wait to do wash every other day or less often.
Easy to adjust.
Manufacturer will replace any defected covers for up to 1 year.
Trim fit, especially between the legs, and not bulky (at least with the mini pods).
Just as easy to use as a disposable.
With proper washing they stay clean and stain free.
Dry against baby skin, even when pod gets wet.
Mini pods can be used until 15-20 pounds, or doubled up. A doubled up mini pod is trimmer than a dry touch or super dry touch.
Only need about 8-10 covers for newborn to potty trained, they appear to be pricey, however considering that they are used for so long they are actually a money saver.
With the Omni there is an option of a pocket for the insert.
Comes with snaps or Velcro. I prefer the Velcro as it allows for a perfect fit.
Easy to adjust size, the legs are adjusted with an elastic and toggle hidden inside the cover.
Cons of softBums:
With a small amount of pods I need to wash every day.
After 2 weeks of use one of my covers started to come apart at the top seam, where the opening is to get to the elastic adjuster. The manufacturer is repairing it.
Another one of my covers had the plastic adjuster go inside the legging-so the leg opening was at the largest setting and I couldn't adjust it. I pulled it out and it's been ok since.
Update: at 6 weeks he's outgrowing the minipods-they fit but I need to double them up and make sure they are more towards the front, so I changed my exchange and had the nicest conversation with the woman at SoftBums, I love knowing I'm supporting such great people-company! She has even read my other blog, so cool.
I also have been able to use the super pods folded over, for nighttime when I run out of regular, and they are working great! A bit big for a 8 pounder but it doesn't seem to bother him.
I'm liking using the regular size pods now, and I don't have to fold them over, they are high waisted on him but I feel that will change fast.
I'm considering buying an Omni just so I can review it...
I'll update again In a few months.
David Israel Bain
It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since my last post. Lots happened this year, most importantly we welcomed David Israel Bain on Dec 1, 2011 at 11:00 pm.
What blessings have abound!
David's birth was different than Joshua's, both home births, unassisted, in the water. Joshua's was calm and david's was powerful, just like their personalities. J's was uncomfortable during contractions but the actual labor happened without me pushing, my body just did it on its own and I hung out in the birth tub experiencing it. D's contractions I was just hanging out during the pushing I was an active participant. J came out sleeping, we had to wake him up and when he did he made a very low noise looked up at his daddy and went right back to sleep, the first time i heard him cry he was 3 months old. D came out screaming, and has been very vocal since. J had his cord come off at 3 days, D 9 days. J didn't care if he had a wet diaper, D doesn't like even a small amount of wetness. J breastfed easily from the first moment, D it took me over a week to get a proper latch. My placenta came out after 20-30 min w J, Ds took about 2x that. J had a long cord, making it easy to lotus birth, Ds was very short and we wound up cutting it about 24 hrs after his birth.
Although I didn't know if either of them was a boy or girl, I got (was told Internally) Joshua's name just before he was born, when I saw him for the first time I knew he was Joshua, it too us a while to name David. Joshua named him Israel about 2 months before he was born, insisting he was a boy. But the name just didn't fit, he needed a strong name to fit his personality. The moment Chris said David I knew it was His name. Funny because I always thought we would name our children names like Ocean, willow, etc... But they had different ideas. I'm happy to honor them that way.
Js birth was 4 hrs from contractions to actual birth, D -3 hrs.
David is brining so much balance to our family. Joshua is changing because he has to, and it's all for the best.
They look so much alike, sometimes I almost call D, J because they look alike. Yet so different. I can see now that D is almost 4 weeks the difference. D has a darker complexion, I think he actually looks more like my dad. J is lighter like Chris. Personalities are diff too. J slept on one of us for the first few months, he literally didn't sleep on the bed for months. D demands his space, and has been sleeping either on the bed next to me or on his bed (our mattresses are next to each other on the floor) still next to me, but in his own space. J like to be nude, D likes to be bundled up.
In many ways they are like Chris and I. How fun to experience.
Some changes in our house:
We moved J into his own room a few months ago, and starting to get him to fall asleep on his own.
J is now on commission, thank you Dave Ramsey, he earns a quarter when he does certain things (brush his teeth, clean his room, etc.) today he was able to buy himself the cars2 spy train he's been wanting.
We are on the road to financial freedom, thanks to the financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. We have been doing it for months and on the day D was born C won the home study kit! What a great symbol. This child is surely bringing balance.
And that is life in our home these days.
What blessings have abound!
David's birth was different than Joshua's, both home births, unassisted, in the water. Joshua's was calm and david's was powerful, just like their personalities. J's was uncomfortable during contractions but the actual labor happened without me pushing, my body just did it on its own and I hung out in the birth tub experiencing it. D's contractions I was just hanging out during the pushing I was an active participant. J came out sleeping, we had to wake him up and when he did he made a very low noise looked up at his daddy and went right back to sleep, the first time i heard him cry he was 3 months old. D came out screaming, and has been very vocal since. J had his cord come off at 3 days, D 9 days. J didn't care if he had a wet diaper, D doesn't like even a small amount of wetness. J breastfed easily from the first moment, D it took me over a week to get a proper latch. My placenta came out after 20-30 min w J, Ds took about 2x that. J had a long cord, making it easy to lotus birth, Ds was very short and we wound up cutting it about 24 hrs after his birth.
Although I didn't know if either of them was a boy or girl, I got (was told Internally) Joshua's name just before he was born, when I saw him for the first time I knew he was Joshua, it too us a while to name David. Joshua named him Israel about 2 months before he was born, insisting he was a boy. But the name just didn't fit, he needed a strong name to fit his personality. The moment Chris said David I knew it was His name. Funny because I always thought we would name our children names like Ocean, willow, etc... But they had different ideas. I'm happy to honor them that way.
Js birth was 4 hrs from contractions to actual birth, D -3 hrs.
David is brining so much balance to our family. Joshua is changing because he has to, and it's all for the best.
They look so much alike, sometimes I almost call D, J because they look alike. Yet so different. I can see now that D is almost 4 weeks the difference. D has a darker complexion, I think he actually looks more like my dad. J is lighter like Chris. Personalities are diff too. J slept on one of us for the first few months, he literally didn't sleep on the bed for months. D demands his space, and has been sleeping either on the bed next to me or on his bed (our mattresses are next to each other on the floor) still next to me, but in his own space. J like to be nude, D likes to be bundled up.
In many ways they are like Chris and I. How fun to experience.
Some changes in our house:
We moved J into his own room a few months ago, and starting to get him to fall asleep on his own.
J is now on commission, thank you Dave Ramsey, he earns a quarter when he does certain things (brush his teeth, clean his room, etc.) today he was able to buy himself the cars2 spy train he's been wanting.
We are on the road to financial freedom, thanks to the financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. We have been doing it for months and on the day D was born C won the home study kit! What a great symbol. This child is surely bringing balance.
And that is life in our home these days.
Monday, January 17, 2011
My tea corner
I have always wanted to have shelves full of nicely organized and labeled foods. Today is just the beginning!
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Friday, January 14, 2011
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Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Fasting
After working with Maureen Whitehouse for some time now on her newest book & program, Done with Dieting: 30 Days of Soul-Full Eating, I decided it was time for me to take time out for myself and do the program. What an incredible ride it has been. I've read the book so many times, but this time was different, I was an active participant, and not working on it. So I got to just be with the process.
3 weeks into it was the beginning of Spring, and something wonderful happened. Effortlessly I started a cleanse. It started with a spring cleaning of my house. And then became a cleansing of my body. I'm recalling a conversation with a good friend of mine, Susan Smith Jones, who told me that whenever she has a client who is looking to lose weight she starts by organizing and cleaning that clients house with them. As I've come to learn from Maureen, when we let go of all the stuff that no longer serves us in our homes and lives, the same happens for our bodies and we allow for our spirit to shine.
7 days ago while reading Done with Dieting, I heard Soul tell me to fast. And so I drank lots of water that evening and in the morning had no desire to eat anything, and so I consciously and with great ease began my fast. I began with water, and a few hours later felt that drinking coconut water would be perfect, and so for the first 3 days that is all I had. On day 4 I had company over and made them a wonderful heart filled meal. I got to experience just what Maureen writes about in the book, in short - preparing & serving with Love! I truly enjoyed the experience with every sense. The vibrant colors, different textures, wonderful smells, and bringing it all together to this great meal, which my guests enjoyed. I was Soul-Full in the experience, and therefor had no desire to eat the food. Later that evening I had vegetable broth from the soup I made, and ate it soul-fully, enjoying it with every one of my senses.
The next day after not having a bowel movement since I started the fast, I heard to read the fasting chapter of Soul-Full Eating. Again, thank you Maureen. It became very clear to me that it was time to take an enema, and wow what a difference. That day I felt sluggish and my stomach was a little tender, and after the enema I felt vibrant and ease in my body.
I never thought that being a mom to a 2 year old, that I would have the time or energy, or even desire to do a fast. I'm so glad that I just let it all be and it happened on it's own. I'm learning more and more everyday that if I just relax and leave it in God's hands that it will all work out much better than if I did it! I truly am developing trust.
I feel great, my energy level has been high most of the day, by evening I have been tired, but that is to be expected. Today however I am not! I will probably start adding juice to my fast, which is always fun to make, I love my juicer. But I will wait for that to happen on it's own. I need not be in control, or make any intentions. I am just showing up!
Also, so much has become clear to me. Spiritually I feel so much more connected. I am enjoying the process and embracing the unpredictability of life. I'm having revelations and letting go of the past.
Thank You Maureen, for birthing Done with Dieting. The world truly is a better place for it!
3 weeks into it was the beginning of Spring, and something wonderful happened. Effortlessly I started a cleanse. It started with a spring cleaning of my house. And then became a cleansing of my body. I'm recalling a conversation with a good friend of mine, Susan Smith Jones, who told me that whenever she has a client who is looking to lose weight she starts by organizing and cleaning that clients house with them. As I've come to learn from Maureen, when we let go of all the stuff that no longer serves us in our homes and lives, the same happens for our bodies and we allow for our spirit to shine.
7 days ago while reading Done with Dieting, I heard Soul tell me to fast. And so I drank lots of water that evening and in the morning had no desire to eat anything, and so I consciously and with great ease began my fast. I began with water, and a few hours later felt that drinking coconut water would be perfect, and so for the first 3 days that is all I had. On day 4 I had company over and made them a wonderful heart filled meal. I got to experience just what Maureen writes about in the book, in short - preparing & serving with Love! I truly enjoyed the experience with every sense. The vibrant colors, different textures, wonderful smells, and bringing it all together to this great meal, which my guests enjoyed. I was Soul-Full in the experience, and therefor had no desire to eat the food. Later that evening I had vegetable broth from the soup I made, and ate it soul-fully, enjoying it with every one of my senses.
The next day after not having a bowel movement since I started the fast, I heard to read the fasting chapter of Soul-Full Eating. Again, thank you Maureen. It became very clear to me that it was time to take an enema, and wow what a difference. That day I felt sluggish and my stomach was a little tender, and after the enema I felt vibrant and ease in my body.
I never thought that being a mom to a 2 year old, that I would have the time or energy, or even desire to do a fast. I'm so glad that I just let it all be and it happened on it's own. I'm learning more and more everyday that if I just relax and leave it in God's hands that it will all work out much better than if I did it! I truly am developing trust.
I feel great, my energy level has been high most of the day, by evening I have been tired, but that is to be expected. Today however I am not! I will probably start adding juice to my fast, which is always fun to make, I love my juicer. But I will wait for that to happen on it's own. I need not be in control, or make any intentions. I am just showing up!
Also, so much has become clear to me. Spiritually I feel so much more connected. I am enjoying the process and embracing the unpredictability of life. I'm having revelations and letting go of the past.
Thank You Maureen, for birthing Done with Dieting. The world truly is a better place for it!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The inspiration I need
Lately I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster. My life has been so different than what my ideal is - and what I was used to. I'm frustrated and feel like a failure. I feel half-hearted in everything I do. And so I've asked for help.
This morning just after I came to peace with asking for help and then finally asked for it I read this:
http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2010/02/08/finding-my-inspiration/
Thanks Rachel, your truly are an inspiration.
This morning just after I came to peace with asking for help and then finally asked for it I read this:
http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2010/02/08/finding-my-inspiration/
Thanks Rachel, your truly are an inspiration.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Smells
Yesterday we picked up a used treadmill and someone gave me some clothes for Joshua. The smell in our home and car has been overwhelming. To most it's a "nice" smell - that of laundry detergent and dryer sheets - even the treadmill has this smell - i'm guessing it was kept in a laundry room. But to sensitive people it's a bombardment. For me I get a headache and feel nauseous. Could you imagine how a baby with such pure senses feels when this is all around them? No wonder so many people shut down at such a young age.
Think about the life of a typical American baby. They are conceived and if the mom eats a "normal" diet, they are eating processed chemical filled foods. Since birth is considered an emergency in the western medical, babies are often born to a very stressed mother in very hostile environments. Bright lights, loud noises, strangers, poked, prodded, cut off from there life force of 10 months - umbilical cord, and so much more in just the first few moments of birth. In the first days they are given shots and being fed formula - some never even get breast milk - food that is made naturally for them! They have gone from 10 months of being inside there mom - warm comfortable and free, to being wrapped up tightly, cold and often alone in a bassinet with pacifier stuck in there mouths.
Then they go home to a nursery that is FULL of chemical outgasing - paint, furniture, clothes washed in chemical smelling soap (unless it's fragrance free) & cleaners. Parents and visitors who wear these clothes and perfumes.
Let me give you a personal experience to help you understand. My husband and I stayed over someones house (we are both sensitive to chemicals and strong smells since we don't use them 0 I also have heightened smell and hearing). This person decided to clean the floors of the kitchen first thing in the morning, with bleach. I was rooms away behind a closed door & woke up gasping for breath and had to run out of the house. My lungs felt on fire. It took about 10 minutes of deep breathing to finally start to feel better and we couldn't go back into the house for hours. Now imagine what is happening to that newborn baby when the house is being cleaned when they are sleeping. or when they are brought into a just cleaned out. Since a child can't run away they can only cry for help, or fall asleep because they are so bombarded. over-time they will become desensitized in most cases, but some do not. And those children are classified as abnormal? Take a good look and watch what it is we are doing to ourselves and our children and it will be very evident as to why children are autistic or why people get the diseases they do. We overwhelm ourselves and then numb ourselves all day long.
Now people are starting to "go green" and learn about the benefits of having a natural (chemical free) home. I am so grateful! And so are the children.
Think about the life of a typical American baby. They are conceived and if the mom eats a "normal" diet, they are eating processed chemical filled foods. Since birth is considered an emergency in the western medical, babies are often born to a very stressed mother in very hostile environments. Bright lights, loud noises, strangers, poked, prodded, cut off from there life force of 10 months - umbilical cord, and so much more in just the first few moments of birth. In the first days they are given shots and being fed formula - some never even get breast milk - food that is made naturally for them! They have gone from 10 months of being inside there mom - warm comfortable and free, to being wrapped up tightly, cold and often alone in a bassinet with pacifier stuck in there mouths.
Then they go home to a nursery that is FULL of chemical outgasing - paint, furniture, clothes washed in chemical smelling soap (unless it's fragrance free) & cleaners. Parents and visitors who wear these clothes and perfumes.
Let me give you a personal experience to help you understand. My husband and I stayed over someones house (we are both sensitive to chemicals and strong smells since we don't use them 0 I also have heightened smell and hearing). This person decided to clean the floors of the kitchen first thing in the morning, with bleach. I was rooms away behind a closed door & woke up gasping for breath and had to run out of the house. My lungs felt on fire. It took about 10 minutes of deep breathing to finally start to feel better and we couldn't go back into the house for hours. Now imagine what is happening to that newborn baby when the house is being cleaned when they are sleeping. or when they are brought into a just cleaned out. Since a child can't run away they can only cry for help, or fall asleep because they are so bombarded. over-time they will become desensitized in most cases, but some do not. And those children are classified as abnormal? Take a good look and watch what it is we are doing to ourselves and our children and it will be very evident as to why children are autistic or why people get the diseases they do. We overwhelm ourselves and then numb ourselves all day long.
Now people are starting to "go green" and learn about the benefits of having a natural (chemical free) home. I am so grateful! And so are the children.
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