Absolutely sucks. Especially the third trimester!
I started out the first trimester being so awesome with my wheat free, dairy free, sugar free, tonnes of veggies etc nutrition and my wonderful workout routine and my pregnancy boosting supplements. The first 6 weeks were stellar and I thought "wow, I'm gonna rock this pregnancy better than the first"
Then that nausea set in. It wasn't as intense as the first one and thought, "ok, I can do this. It's not as bad as the first." But then it intensifed a bit and was different from the first in a way that it was a low nagging nausea in the pit of my stomach and suprisingly eating was the only thing that kept it in check. 10 mins after stopping eating, it would return. So I munched pretty much all day while taking the Magen, which wasn't as helpful this time around. I ate things like raw carrots and homemade hummus. Then I needed pasta and sandwiches like I transformed into Joey Tribianni. Yho, it fell a part a bit there. The nausea "shockingly" got bit more intense (still not as bad as with number 1). I stopped exercising as awesomely as I was in the beginning but did something a couple times a week as the exhaustion allowed. And I started feeling freezing cold. Also, having a busy toddler is quite taxing when pregnant. First pregnancy, I was free to rest or whatever my body needed. But this pregnany has really been about the busy and easily bored toddler. But shortly after 2nd trimester set in, the nausea and fatigue settled down.
This was my breather trimester. Summer also rolled in. I was eating decent. No intense cravings like I had with little miss. Well, I wanted some ice cream each day but that may be due to the incredible heat of summer coupled with being a furnace of a pregnant lady. Yho, I've never felt so hot in my life! Not even when I used to do Bikram Yoga. Luckily, the complex has a pool. We made use of that every afternoon. It was bliss. We walked around each morning and swam every afternoon. So all in all cant complain about 2nd trimester.
Then March set in, height of 3rd trimester. I have not known pain/illness like this before! It's day 27 of physical trial and tribulation. The weather transition rapidly from summer to winter (um, where did fall go??) and bubs got a cold and cough. Her cough was quite full of congestion, she sounded like a purring cat when she breathed. She got it from one of these clowns that she plays with in the complex (kids dont know how to cover their mouth when they cough). She even needed some antibiotics. I'm not a big fan of big pharma and got the natural route but there are some times and places where meds are required to get the situation in control, but its not my first go to. She was fine in a couple days but hubs and I got her cold. He got the cough part and I got the head cold part. It was a whole week, which is absolutely unheard of for me and my pretty stellar immune system. But you may not know this, pregnancy kills your immune system (and metabolism) so your body can focus on growing a baby. So there you have it, step 1 to what was ahead. Then as the cold was clearing up, I got a tummy bug. That wasnt fun. No vomitting, just the other thing. That concerned me cuz that kind of lower body movement can jump start labor. But it settled down in time for my lumbar to be out. Out like not before. O the pain. I hobbled around like a geriatric. Then my hip kicked in the next day. Walking was accomplishing the impossible. I went to the chiropractor. He aligned me, and I was really misaligned. But my hip somehow missed the message and stayed in a most excrutiating way. Then 2 days after the chiro, that cold that "cleared up" transitioned into a sinus infection. So far, quite possibly, the most pain I've ever felt. My entire left facial bone structure felt like it was going to burst. Like a freight train powed me in the cheek! I cried like a baby. Because the sinus pocket touches down onto the molar roots, tooth pain was very present. So much so, I thought I had a tooth thing going on and ran to the dentist. He said my teeth are fine and explained that sinus thing I just did. Only thing the pharmacist and gynae said I could do was take some Panado for the pain and was sinus out with seawater nasal spray. This past month, I've been eating raw garlic like candy, squirting seawater up my nose like cocaine (cant think of anything else you'd put up your nose for drastic comparison??), consuming Rescue Remedy like water and begging/praying for some relief. My sinus isn't as painful as it was a couple days ago but still aches like a steady headache but in my face. I've almost used the entire seaspray in 6 days. And my hip still hurts. Tried a massage today. Could only afford the half hour session. It helped relax the muscles so the pain is less intense. Looking forward to the day of pushing this kid out. But then there's all that postpartum yuckiness to deal with (bladder control, hemorrhoids, bleeding, breastfeeding trials and pains). So really, looking forward to the end of June. Then I have a big job of post natal weight loss. O sigh. There may not be a third baby, unless we become really rich and I can afford helpful things like: nanny/ maid, weekly chiro visits, weekly prenatal massage, home waterbirth, etc.
If you're married and under 35, best to start having them babies now, cuz yho pregnancy ages you like 10-50 years depending on if its first or subsequent pregnancy. Ps, your hips never really go back into place so that second baby will be a killer unless you are a teeny tiny skinny mini.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Toddler Activities
I'm constantly googling ideas for this child of mine, for her development and fun activities to do at home on a tight budget. Here's what I've put together so far. This is for her current 18month old style (the previous acitivities for X month old have been retired as she's outgrown some).
I've put these into 3 groups: Play time, Music time and Craft time. Why have I done this? Kids need routine, they learn through repetition, they are busy and need wholesome things to keep them busy well, aids their sensory development and we know the benefits of music.
Disclaimer: I'm not a perfect mom, much to learn. I'm just doing the best with the info I get and the tools I have at my finger tips.
Playtime:
1. Sensory Bins and Bottles
So your imagination is what will limit you here. If there's a tangible object, you can turn it into a sensory box. I've made up 5, not because my imagination is limited but because I have 5 empty bins/boxes to use.
A. Bean Sorter
On the right. I've put black eyed peas, split peas and popcorn kernels along with a 3 section egg tray for the legumes to be sorted in. Plus I've added a scoop. She loves this. Great for fine motor development. I've taught her to be a clean kid too cuz if she drops 1 split pea on the ground, she picks it up and puts it back in the bin straight away! Love it!
B. Pasta Plus
On the left. I've put in macaroni, cotton and shredded paper along with a container to keep these items separated. Plus I've added a spoon for stirring. She likes to take the cotton and rub it gently on her cheek and she loves the sound the macaroni makes when she stirs it up.
C. Dancing Color Experiments
In the middle. There are also some craft items squeezed in there (I need another bin for that...next grocery shop will have to get ice cream...dang, hey!). So for the colors I have a small bottle of vinegar, baggie of baking soda, food color, plastic syringe to squeeze vinegar on to colored baking soda and 3 little dishes. As she is young, I do 2 primary colors. Once the dancing stops, I add water. Then I ask, what happens if we mix the blue with the red water? It turns purple! She says OoooOoOOOoooOoo through the whole process. Then puts her hand in each dishy of water. Then she stacks the 3 dishes up when she's had enough.
D. Beach Experience
This is not in the photo. It is powder sand, shells and stones all from the beach. She loves to dig in the sand. And of course the feel of powder white sand is quite luxurious.
As she gets older, I'll have a packet of plastic animals she can play with in the bins and I'll probably go with more themes like the beach theme rather than just pasta/cotton/paper. Ever changing!
E. Sensory Bottles
There's only 3 but there are more coming as I get the empty bottles. The one on the left has shampoo and washers. This illustrates how objects move slower in thicker liquids. The middle is rainbow rice that I dyed last night and treasure trinkets buried inside. I tried to shake it to show a trinket but the rice kept burying it when I placed it upright. The one on the right has water, blue dye, sparkles and a couple small crab shells. Sometimes I wonder who enjoys these bottles more, me or her?? More to come (again imagination is what will limit).
2. Blocks and Stackers
I have wooden blocks, a couple big soft blocks, measuring cups and recently was given stacking cups. She's up to building a 7 block tower but gets really mad if the 8th block knocks it over. She has my temperment.
3. Books
I started reading to her, well... when she was in the womb, but in real life when she was 1 month old. Her first book was about 4 fabric pages with crinkly paper inside and a mirror on the back. She laughed at the stuff on the green page and to this day is quite drawn to green (I think it's her fav color). She LOVES books! It's one of the few playtime activities that will keep her occupied for more than 5 minutes. She is gentle with books too. Never tears the pages. We go grab the max 7 from the library every couple weeks and I have a few in her collection. They range from board books, learning books (1sts), fun short stories and a couple Hungarian books.
4. Puzzles
I know puzzles say not for children under 3 but I'm not a conventional rule follower all the time. She has the foamy letter/number puzzles, wooden puzzle and recent addition of the piece puzzles. Her main objective is to take the puzzle apart. She can put the wooden numbers into their slots on the puzzle with my help. And today, I got her a 24 piece. She even grabbed 2 pieces that fit together twice but mainly enjoyed taking it apart and putting it into a pile here and then over there. Whatever dude, gets her exposed and soon she'll be an efficienado. Tomorrow I'm going to make her some 2 piece puzzles out of the animal pictures on cardboard.
5. Balls in Bucket
This is probably her fav thing. She has been a big fan of balls since 4 months old and is a very efficient thrower now. I have 3 colorful plastic balls, a small bouncy globe ball, tennis ball, soft plush ball, bigger bouncy textured ball and from time to time she starts rolling my big yoga ball around the house. Any time we pass a bin of balls in a store she points, jabbers and gets excited. She's working on kicking now. I want to sign her up for soccer (there is a club 18months-3) but it's in the southern suburbs which is a bit far at this point. Maybe next season.
6. Bubbles
She loves bubbles. She loves to chase after them and if they land intact on the floor, she loves to step on them (in a most delicate manner I might add). Easy recipe 1 cup water, 4 tablespoons dish soap, 2 tablespoons glycerin.
7. Freeplay
This develops her independence (which is quite developed already) and imagination. Here is where she can enjoy her toy toys like her mickey mouse car, musical caterpillar, stuffed animals, etc.
8. Outside Time
This takes up the bulk of her awake time. We go outside 2-3 times a day for almost an hour each time. She gets quite upset when we come inside. She loves to walk around the complex. She has a route (creature of habit). First stop is the pool area. She likes to do a lap around the pool. Then we do her preferred route around the flats and grassy area. When the other kids are home from school, she dumps the route in favor of play with the children. She also has 3 specific plants she likes to gather from-lavendar bush, cool textured succulent plant and the pink/yellow flower bush by our front door. She'll walk the whole time with one of those plants clutched in her hand. We also like to paint with nature. We take leaves and the make a pretty green streak on the brick. There are these black berry things and these red berry like things that also leave pretty colors on the brick. Sometimes we even make an impromptu nature sensory bucket with a collected variety of leaves and flowers in a plastic bowl. She loves nature like me.
So that's our play time. We obviously don't do all 8 things everyday. The only daily occurence is books, balls, outside and I try really hard to get a sensory activity in each day. But some days, life happens and we have to go grocery shopping or fun happens and we head into town to the big awesome park (that takes the whole morning pre nap time) and of course there's Sundays with church and now nursery. She was so good on her first day at nursery last week. Awwwwwwwwww. She folded her arms and listened to the lesson and daintally ate her snack and politely played with the toys. I almost cried 3 times just watching how adorable and wonderful she is. Love her!!!!
Music time
We've been exposing her to music since before birth. When she was new, papa was always singing a Burundian lullaby to her. So precious. I was always singing hymns to her. Now, I've made a singing time box.
I just started it this week so it's quite minimal but honestly enough for her attention span. I have my song list divided into action songs and prop songs. I made some music shakers out of old vitamin bottles, lentils and nature scene magazine paper. Her fav song is Itsy Bitsy Spider. She's always putting her fingers together like the spider climbing up the spout to request me to sing it. After every song I sing, she claps and says Yay! My number 1 fan folks. We bought her a tamborine today and she has a pretty awesome keyboard complete with beat option keys that she got for her first bday. She loves the beats and dances to them. From time to time we "drum" with containers and sticks. I also have some kiddy CDs to play while we do other things like craft time. Which leads me to...
Craft time
Well, as you may have guessed it, babes arent crafty experts. However, this activity still develops skills so we go forth anyhow. Collages are good to give baba gluing and pasting skill development. She prefers to put the lid on and off the glue stick but will run a streak of glue on the paper every once in awhile. Finger painting is probably best bet for this age. I've made them from cornstarch, color and water; flour, color and water; equal parts flour, salt, water plus color in a squeezy bottle. This one dries puffy and sparkly from the salt. And next will do the jello one where you add just enough hot water to get the consistency of paint. I've also made a couple home made playdoughs plus I have some store bought ever lasting playdough and cutters. She loves playdough. This play will last a while for her. My next project with her will include making a candy house or icing cookies or something confectionary like.
And there you have it. My 3 groups of activities to keep this woman busy, entertained, learning and growing. I love being a SAHM. Sometimes, I have more fun doing these activities than she does. Sometimes this woman does a better job of entertaining me than I her. She's quite a comedian! Her new schtick now is closing her eyes and walking then laughing about it. One time, however, she walked into the chair...she didnt laugh but I did. She's really good at clowning around. And she is really clever. She understands everything I say. If I say, go get your shoes, she goes and gets her shoes and brings them to the chair where I put them on her and she gets really excited cuz she knows it's outside time. I hope this boy in my belly is going to be fun, smart and cute like her. Will find out in a few weeks.
I've put these into 3 groups: Play time, Music time and Craft time. Why have I done this? Kids need routine, they learn through repetition, they are busy and need wholesome things to keep them busy well, aids their sensory development and we know the benefits of music.
Disclaimer: I'm not a perfect mom, much to learn. I'm just doing the best with the info I get and the tools I have at my finger tips.
Playtime:
1. Sensory Bins and Bottles
So your imagination is what will limit you here. If there's a tangible object, you can turn it into a sensory box. I've made up 5, not because my imagination is limited but because I have 5 empty bins/boxes to use.
A. Bean Sorter
On the right. I've put black eyed peas, split peas and popcorn kernels along with a 3 section egg tray for the legumes to be sorted in. Plus I've added a scoop. She loves this. Great for fine motor development. I've taught her to be a clean kid too cuz if she drops 1 split pea on the ground, she picks it up and puts it back in the bin straight away! Love it!
B. Pasta Plus
On the left. I've put in macaroni, cotton and shredded paper along with a container to keep these items separated. Plus I've added a spoon for stirring. She likes to take the cotton and rub it gently on her cheek and she loves the sound the macaroni makes when she stirs it up.
C. Dancing Color Experiments
In the middle. There are also some craft items squeezed in there (I need another bin for that...next grocery shop will have to get ice cream...dang, hey!). So for the colors I have a small bottle of vinegar, baggie of baking soda, food color, plastic syringe to squeeze vinegar on to colored baking soda and 3 little dishes. As she is young, I do 2 primary colors. Once the dancing stops, I add water. Then I ask, what happens if we mix the blue with the red water? It turns purple! She says OoooOoOOOoooOoo through the whole process. Then puts her hand in each dishy of water. Then she stacks the 3 dishes up when she's had enough.
D. Beach Experience
This is not in the photo. It is powder sand, shells and stones all from the beach. She loves to dig in the sand. And of course the feel of powder white sand is quite luxurious.
As she gets older, I'll have a packet of plastic animals she can play with in the bins and I'll probably go with more themes like the beach theme rather than just pasta/cotton/paper. Ever changing!
E. Sensory Bottles
2. Blocks and Stackers
I have wooden blocks, a couple big soft blocks, measuring cups and recently was given stacking cups. She's up to building a 7 block tower but gets really mad if the 8th block knocks it over. She has my temperment.
3. Books
I started reading to her, well... when she was in the womb, but in real life when she was 1 month old. Her first book was about 4 fabric pages with crinkly paper inside and a mirror on the back. She laughed at the stuff on the green page and to this day is quite drawn to green (I think it's her fav color). She LOVES books! It's one of the few playtime activities that will keep her occupied for more than 5 minutes. She is gentle with books too. Never tears the pages. We go grab the max 7 from the library every couple weeks and I have a few in her collection. They range from board books, learning books (1sts), fun short stories and a couple Hungarian books.
4. Puzzles
I know puzzles say not for children under 3 but I'm not a conventional rule follower all the time. She has the foamy letter/number puzzles, wooden puzzle and recent addition of the piece puzzles. Her main objective is to take the puzzle apart. She can put the wooden numbers into their slots on the puzzle with my help. And today, I got her a 24 piece. She even grabbed 2 pieces that fit together twice but mainly enjoyed taking it apart and putting it into a pile here and then over there. Whatever dude, gets her exposed and soon she'll be an efficienado. Tomorrow I'm going to make her some 2 piece puzzles out of the animal pictures on cardboard.
5. Balls in Bucket
This is probably her fav thing. She has been a big fan of balls since 4 months old and is a very efficient thrower now. I have 3 colorful plastic balls, a small bouncy globe ball, tennis ball, soft plush ball, bigger bouncy textured ball and from time to time she starts rolling my big yoga ball around the house. Any time we pass a bin of balls in a store she points, jabbers and gets excited. She's working on kicking now. I want to sign her up for soccer (there is a club 18months-3) but it's in the southern suburbs which is a bit far at this point. Maybe next season.
6. Bubbles
She loves bubbles. She loves to chase after them and if they land intact on the floor, she loves to step on them (in a most delicate manner I might add). Easy recipe 1 cup water, 4 tablespoons dish soap, 2 tablespoons glycerin.
7. Freeplay
This develops her independence (which is quite developed already) and imagination. Here is where she can enjoy her toy toys like her mickey mouse car, musical caterpillar, stuffed animals, etc.
8. Outside Time
This takes up the bulk of her awake time. We go outside 2-3 times a day for almost an hour each time. She gets quite upset when we come inside. She loves to walk around the complex. She has a route (creature of habit). First stop is the pool area. She likes to do a lap around the pool. Then we do her preferred route around the flats and grassy area. When the other kids are home from school, she dumps the route in favor of play with the children. She also has 3 specific plants she likes to gather from-lavendar bush, cool textured succulent plant and the pink/yellow flower bush by our front door. She'll walk the whole time with one of those plants clutched in her hand. We also like to paint with nature. We take leaves and the make a pretty green streak on the brick. There are these black berry things and these red berry like things that also leave pretty colors on the brick. Sometimes we even make an impromptu nature sensory bucket with a collected variety of leaves and flowers in a plastic bowl. She loves nature like me.
So that's our play time. We obviously don't do all 8 things everyday. The only daily occurence is books, balls, outside and I try really hard to get a sensory activity in each day. But some days, life happens and we have to go grocery shopping or fun happens and we head into town to the big awesome park (that takes the whole morning pre nap time) and of course there's Sundays with church and now nursery. She was so good on her first day at nursery last week. Awwwwwwwwww. She folded her arms and listened to the lesson and daintally ate her snack and politely played with the toys. I almost cried 3 times just watching how adorable and wonderful she is. Love her!!!!
Music time
We've been exposing her to music since before birth. When she was new, papa was always singing a Burundian lullaby to her. So precious. I was always singing hymns to her. Now, I've made a singing time box.
Craft time
Well, as you may have guessed it, babes arent crafty experts. However, this activity still develops skills so we go forth anyhow. Collages are good to give baba gluing and pasting skill development. She prefers to put the lid on and off the glue stick but will run a streak of glue on the paper every once in awhile. Finger painting is probably best bet for this age. I've made them from cornstarch, color and water; flour, color and water; equal parts flour, salt, water plus color in a squeezy bottle. This one dries puffy and sparkly from the salt. And next will do the jello one where you add just enough hot water to get the consistency of paint. I've also made a couple home made playdoughs plus I have some store bought ever lasting playdough and cutters. She loves playdough. This play will last a while for her. My next project with her will include making a candy house or icing cookies or something confectionary like.
And there you have it. My 3 groups of activities to keep this woman busy, entertained, learning and growing. I love being a SAHM. Sometimes, I have more fun doing these activities than she does. Sometimes this woman does a better job of entertaining me than I her. She's quite a comedian! Her new schtick now is closing her eyes and walking then laughing about it. One time, however, she walked into the chair...she didnt laugh but I did. She's really good at clowning around. And she is really clever. She understands everything I say. If I say, go get your shoes, she goes and gets her shoes and brings them to the chair where I put them on her and she gets really excited cuz she knows it's outside time. I hope this boy in my belly is going to be fun, smart and cute like her. Will find out in a few weeks.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
How to live a wheat-free-corn-free-milk-free-soya-free-organic-eco-friendly-superfood life as a poor renter in an urban location with minimal healthy selections
Alright, long title but is quite self explanatory as to what I'm about to write about today.
First, I need to complain. This part of town sucks! No organic produce. Gluten free flour mix is costly. Coconut water/young thai coconuts are tough to come about. No bulk deals on, well, anything. And we live on the ground floor which is 90% appealing, minus the ability to have pots with growing veggies as those will be stolen (our BBQ was stolen).
Ok. I feel better-ish.
Sometimes we are given challenges in life so we can problem solve unique ways to accomplish the former easy things in life. Hence me living here instead of the land of the free and everything wonderful..."O Canada, our home and native land...." I miss you my baby and look forward to living there again in a few years (eish!).
So here's what my past 3 years so far have taught me.
1. Wheat free, corn free, soya free (basically GMO free): easiest way is to avoid packaged foods. That's where that stuff lies. Learn to cook from scratch. Luckily, that was something I learned in grade 7 and have loved since. It just tastes better! The wheat free thing is the most challenging. Um hello, pizza anyone?! Heck, yes, who doesn't love Italian food. And toast for breakfast is so standard in the westernized civilations you really have to think outside the box. Let's start with breakfast
A. free range eggs to the rescue. you can simply scramble em, or make a fritatta, or an omelette. have a side of fruit or veggies and your done.
B. gluten free muffins. this is my standard recipe. 2 c "flour" (gluten free mix with rice/potato/tapioca/chickpea/xantham gum. I also stretch it out with 1/2 c ground golden flax to save some money), 1/3 c sugar, 1.5 tsp baking powder, pinch himalayan salt (from now on anytime I talk about salt, it's this pink gem I'm talking about cuz I don't wanna write it out in full everytime), 1/2 c blueberries (frozen are cheaper in this city), 1 c "milk", 1 free range egg, 1/4 c sunflower oil (never use or buy canola, it too is a bad boy), smack vanilla. bake about 20-30min depending on your oven and weather (totally affects my baking if it's wet or dry outside). Spread with cold pressed coconut oil and some raw honey if you like.
C. cold rice cereal with "milk" or hot millet/rice cereal with "milk" and dates and honey and seeds too if you want...I'm gonna get to the milk so don't worry
D. smoothie. take some "milk" and add some seasonal fruits along with a frozen banana to give it some thickness and chill factor
So who still wants toast??? I can testify that once you stop eating bread for a couple weeks, the smell of hubby toasting a slice on the rare occasion is enough to make you queezy (and that's not the pregnancy talking!)
As for pasta and pizza, there are wheat free options and recipes out there. Google em! I personally don't even eat either anymore as I have a rotation of the following lunch/dinners:
free range chicken n lentil breyani with cooling cuke n tomato salad
chickpea n millet greek inspired bowl
organic potato salad n roast free range chicken wings with beet salad
sweet curry lentils n rice
cauliflower/carrot/pepper/tomato/fish pot n rice.
That pretty much sums up my main roster of go tos. Every once in a while I mix it up with a thai coconut curry or quinoa risotto with fish or something interesting. These are all affordable too as we use chicken/fish more like a condiment and the veg are the main feature. As you know, free range meats are more expensive so luckily we are happy with just a small tasting of it as a part of our meal. You too can teach your taste buds the cheaper yet healthier ways of life :)
2. Milk free
Cooking and baking can be challenging without milk especially if you are used to it. So here are some things I do. I make nut milks. As nuts are costly, I use these tastey/healthy/pricey milks soley for pouring on my rice cereal. 1/2 c nuts (almonds or cashews are best), 1/2 c dates, 4 c water, pinch salt, smack vanilla. Blend. My blender comes from a second hand shop so you can imagine how much it is not like a Vitamix (one day, when I'm rich, I 'll own this gem!). So I get ground almonds to help my poor baby whip this into a milk. It does separate as it sits in the fridge but a good ole swirl gets in homogenous again. As for baking, I use a cheaper milk option. Currently I have rice milk powder in my pantry. It on its on is not tasty but works beautifully in my muffin recipe. I'm going to make some coconut milk this week as dried coconut are much cheaper than nuts and maybe that can be my milk for all recipe. 2 c coconut, 4 c water. Blend. Of course you can get ready made coconut milk in the can but have you ever read the ingredients. Surprisingly little coconut in it. Some brands only show coconut extract and a bunch of other crap. Yet still costly. Hmmm. But I'm looking into where the H I can get young thai coconuts on a regular basis. Then I can have lot's of fresh coconut water and then use the meat to whip up a real nice milk. Oh dreams.
3. Organic
I just can't get over how shops don't have organic produce. I went in to Checkers one time and asked if they have any organic produce. The woman looked at me like a parrot before eating a peanut. Then she sqawked "what?" Then she lead me to oregano. close honey but no. She asked her manager. Neither knew what organic was! What? I say, WHAT! There used to be an organic farm stall inside the waterfront market. But the last time I went there they were gone. Some other farmer who not only doesn't sell organic produce but looked at me like I was some kind of crazy woman to dare ask if he did! So, hubby brought home a flyer from Nature's Deli for an online organic order place. They're not bad. Each weds you can get a pre selected bag of 10-12 seasonal items. You can also add on real full cream organic yogurt and what not. I don't mind them. Some of their stuff is pricey. There pre selected bag is obviously the better deal but you dont have much control over what you get. One week week we got leeks. Don't know how to do much with leeks other than vichysoisse. Baby loved it. It was quite dang tasty. Sadly, we cant order every week due to our finances and it's more of a treat to get a bag from them. Once a month seems to be the ticket right now. If we were rich, ya, weekly for sure! So that leads to the clean 15 vs the dirty dozen list. I try to avoid getting produce from the dirty dozen list. I also am going to grow some greens on my kitchen window sill (best sunny spot and least likely to get stolen or visited by the neighbor cat). I did it a couple months ago. Just need some more soil. I also want to make a compost under our kitchen sink. We got a juicer for christmas present and it's sad to toss out all that pulp. I have made a batch of muffins from the pulp and some lentil pulp burgers (sounds gross but tastes decent). But really, can't keep up with the pulp to recipe ratio so vast majority goes in dump.
4. Eco friendly
I've just finished talking about the compost plan and indoor garden plan so we're done there. Now to move on to my exciting big eco friendly move taken last month. We invested in presewn pocket nappies! They are cotton/hemp/bamboo goodies in fun colors. I love them! There was only one night I didn't love them cuz I had a cold and had no desire to throw them in the machine and hang them out to dry but if I dont, I fall behind and then she'll just have to pee on the floor...no thanks. I actually want her little nappied bum to show as the colors are cute and I match her outfits to them. Plus in a couple months, we'll have another wee one in nappies so that'll just save us tens of thousands in cash to use these healthier nappies :) we also do them standard things-hot water tank off unless hour before showering, use stove with thought (bake, cook all at once so it doesn't have to go all day and re heat or whatever), re use, recycle...you know, that kind of earth friendly stuff. I also got some soapnuts. I made some soapnut liquid out of some of it. It washes the dishes nice however, you have to use it full strength. It does a decent job on clothes. I used it on the floor too. I haven't yet tried it on my hair. Thats next. However, the soapnuts aren't cheap and get used up faster than I anticipated. So they are not cost effective. I've gone back to using vinegar water to clean the house. I'm saving the soapnuts for the nappies only now as they are pretty particular on which cleansers to use to keep them lasting long and keep from detergent buildup.
Well, that's all I got for now. Little miss is gonna wake from her nap soon so I gotta get it together up in here. Toodles.
First, I need to complain. This part of town sucks! No organic produce. Gluten free flour mix is costly. Coconut water/young thai coconuts are tough to come about. No bulk deals on, well, anything. And we live on the ground floor which is 90% appealing, minus the ability to have pots with growing veggies as those will be stolen (our BBQ was stolen).
Ok. I feel better-ish.
Sometimes we are given challenges in life so we can problem solve unique ways to accomplish the former easy things in life. Hence me living here instead of the land of the free and everything wonderful..."O Canada, our home and native land...." I miss you my baby and look forward to living there again in a few years (eish!).
So here's what my past 3 years so far have taught me.
1. Wheat free, corn free, soya free (basically GMO free): easiest way is to avoid packaged foods. That's where that stuff lies. Learn to cook from scratch. Luckily, that was something I learned in grade 7 and have loved since. It just tastes better! The wheat free thing is the most challenging. Um hello, pizza anyone?! Heck, yes, who doesn't love Italian food. And toast for breakfast is so standard in the westernized civilations you really have to think outside the box. Let's start with breakfast
A. free range eggs to the rescue. you can simply scramble em, or make a fritatta, or an omelette. have a side of fruit or veggies and your done.
B. gluten free muffins. this is my standard recipe. 2 c "flour" (gluten free mix with rice/potato/tapioca/chickpea/xantham gum. I also stretch it out with 1/2 c ground golden flax to save some money), 1/3 c sugar, 1.5 tsp baking powder, pinch himalayan salt (from now on anytime I talk about salt, it's this pink gem I'm talking about cuz I don't wanna write it out in full everytime), 1/2 c blueberries (frozen are cheaper in this city), 1 c "milk", 1 free range egg, 1/4 c sunflower oil (never use or buy canola, it too is a bad boy), smack vanilla. bake about 20-30min depending on your oven and weather (totally affects my baking if it's wet or dry outside). Spread with cold pressed coconut oil and some raw honey if you like.
C. cold rice cereal with "milk" or hot millet/rice cereal with "milk" and dates and honey and seeds too if you want...I'm gonna get to the milk so don't worry
D. smoothie. take some "milk" and add some seasonal fruits along with a frozen banana to give it some thickness and chill factor
So who still wants toast??? I can testify that once you stop eating bread for a couple weeks, the smell of hubby toasting a slice on the rare occasion is enough to make you queezy (and that's not the pregnancy talking!)
As for pasta and pizza, there are wheat free options and recipes out there. Google em! I personally don't even eat either anymore as I have a rotation of the following lunch/dinners:
free range chicken n lentil breyani with cooling cuke n tomato salad
chickpea n millet greek inspired bowl
organic potato salad n roast free range chicken wings with beet salad
sweet curry lentils n rice
cauliflower/carrot/pepper/tomato/fish pot n rice.
That pretty much sums up my main roster of go tos. Every once in a while I mix it up with a thai coconut curry or quinoa risotto with fish or something interesting. These are all affordable too as we use chicken/fish more like a condiment and the veg are the main feature. As you know, free range meats are more expensive so luckily we are happy with just a small tasting of it as a part of our meal. You too can teach your taste buds the cheaper yet healthier ways of life :)
2. Milk free
Cooking and baking can be challenging without milk especially if you are used to it. So here are some things I do. I make nut milks. As nuts are costly, I use these tastey/healthy/pricey milks soley for pouring on my rice cereal. 1/2 c nuts (almonds or cashews are best), 1/2 c dates, 4 c water, pinch salt, smack vanilla. Blend. My blender comes from a second hand shop so you can imagine how much it is not like a Vitamix (one day, when I'm rich, I 'll own this gem!). So I get ground almonds to help my poor baby whip this into a milk. It does separate as it sits in the fridge but a good ole swirl gets in homogenous again. As for baking, I use a cheaper milk option. Currently I have rice milk powder in my pantry. It on its on is not tasty but works beautifully in my muffin recipe. I'm going to make some coconut milk this week as dried coconut are much cheaper than nuts and maybe that can be my milk for all recipe. 2 c coconut, 4 c water. Blend. Of course you can get ready made coconut milk in the can but have you ever read the ingredients. Surprisingly little coconut in it. Some brands only show coconut extract and a bunch of other crap. Yet still costly. Hmmm. But I'm looking into where the H I can get young thai coconuts on a regular basis. Then I can have lot's of fresh coconut water and then use the meat to whip up a real nice milk. Oh dreams.
3. Organic
I just can't get over how shops don't have organic produce. I went in to Checkers one time and asked if they have any organic produce. The woman looked at me like a parrot before eating a peanut. Then she sqawked "what?" Then she lead me to oregano. close honey but no. She asked her manager. Neither knew what organic was! What? I say, WHAT! There used to be an organic farm stall inside the waterfront market. But the last time I went there they were gone. Some other farmer who not only doesn't sell organic produce but looked at me like I was some kind of crazy woman to dare ask if he did! So, hubby brought home a flyer from Nature's Deli for an online organic order place. They're not bad. Each weds you can get a pre selected bag of 10-12 seasonal items. You can also add on real full cream organic yogurt and what not. I don't mind them. Some of their stuff is pricey. There pre selected bag is obviously the better deal but you dont have much control over what you get. One week week we got leeks. Don't know how to do much with leeks other than vichysoisse. Baby loved it. It was quite dang tasty. Sadly, we cant order every week due to our finances and it's more of a treat to get a bag from them. Once a month seems to be the ticket right now. If we were rich, ya, weekly for sure! So that leads to the clean 15 vs the dirty dozen list. I try to avoid getting produce from the dirty dozen list. I also am going to grow some greens on my kitchen window sill (best sunny spot and least likely to get stolen or visited by the neighbor cat). I did it a couple months ago. Just need some more soil. I also want to make a compost under our kitchen sink. We got a juicer for christmas present and it's sad to toss out all that pulp. I have made a batch of muffins from the pulp and some lentil pulp burgers (sounds gross but tastes decent). But really, can't keep up with the pulp to recipe ratio so vast majority goes in dump.
4. Eco friendly
I've just finished talking about the compost plan and indoor garden plan so we're done there. Now to move on to my exciting big eco friendly move taken last month. We invested in presewn pocket nappies! They are cotton/hemp/bamboo goodies in fun colors. I love them! There was only one night I didn't love them cuz I had a cold and had no desire to throw them in the machine and hang them out to dry but if I dont, I fall behind and then she'll just have to pee on the floor...no thanks. I actually want her little nappied bum to show as the colors are cute and I match her outfits to them. Plus in a couple months, we'll have another wee one in nappies so that'll just save us tens of thousands in cash to use these healthier nappies :) we also do them standard things-hot water tank off unless hour before showering, use stove with thought (bake, cook all at once so it doesn't have to go all day and re heat or whatever), re use, recycle...you know, that kind of earth friendly stuff. I also got some soapnuts. I made some soapnut liquid out of some of it. It washes the dishes nice however, you have to use it full strength. It does a decent job on clothes. I used it on the floor too. I haven't yet tried it on my hair. Thats next. However, the soapnuts aren't cheap and get used up faster than I anticipated. So they are not cost effective. I've gone back to using vinegar water to clean the house. I'm saving the soapnuts for the nappies only now as they are pretty particular on which cleansers to use to keep them lasting long and keep from detergent buildup.
Well, that's all I got for now. Little miss is gonna wake from her nap soon so I gotta get it together up in here. Toodles.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Why Organic? A simplified explanation
You may ask yourself, why on earth should I spend more money on ORGANIC when there are perfectly good foods in the grocery store at a cheaper cost?! A picture is worth a thousand words so, here is a start why:
You probably don't know that the foods you eat are bathed in chemicals. Chemicals that are toxic poisons. Chemicals that if you were to accidentally ingest them, you'd have to call poison control or have treatment done at the hospital or you may even die. So now why is it okay or safe to eat food that has been washed in these very chemicals? Doesn't make sense! The officials likes to brainwash us to believe that it's safe to eat these food exposed to these chemicals as a very small dose won't kill us. Ya, but it's not exactly going to keep us up and running strong for long! And ps, the officials doesn't have OUR best interest at heart.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Hmmm, that's funny cuz the apple is the dirtiest fruit/veg out there! After testing, it is found to contain over 200 different chemicals! No wonder my throat would swell and my gums would itch whenever I ate a conventional apple. I thought I was allergic. Then someone suggested organic and booyah baby I can enjoy apples again!
"Well, I wash my fruits and veggies before eating them and sometimes I peel them." Washing is good to remove surface debris but it does NOT completely remove the pesticides/fungicides/herbicides that the produce has been bathed in since day one. That stuff is in the soil. It is absorbed in the roots of the plant and throughout the entire fruit or veg. Peeling is the same as it only removes the surface junk, however the peel also contains the bulk of vitamins/minerals/fiber.
FYI: In one report, the CDC found that 100% of the people tested had 13 of the 23 pesticides they analyzed. Some short term and long term effects of repeated exposure to pesticides include- infertility, birth defects, childhood and adult cancers.
"I don't eat lot's of fruits and veggies to worry, I eat meat, maize and milk." First of all, that diet alone is screaming high blood pressure and other disease! Second of all, your meat and milk is WORSE as they too are regularly "treated" to hormones and antibiotics. Plus those animals are fed Genetically Modified foods which also get that chemical treatment and are in horrific conditions! They are in small crowded pens/cages, the birds are in total darkness their whole life, the cows are in ankle deep poop which is a breeding ground for E. Coli, they are very stressed out thus causing them to naturally secrete stress hormones, they are prone to diseases from this improper ill living and many other problematic things. Would you eat roadkill? Then why would you eat this?
A quick blurb on genetically modified foods: these are foods that have been genetically engineered/altered by man (since when has man ever known more or done better than God???) These foods are fairly new and long term health effects are not yet known but don't be fooled, there are problems from these foods! The environment is already seeing repercussions and the chronic diseases that are becoming more mainstream speak volumes. Avoid the following: corn/maize, soy, cotton (oil), wheat, canola. You may say you never eat tofu but I got news for you, soy is in almost EVERY packaged food as is some form of corn.
So then what does organic mean? Basically, it means produce that is grown naturally without chemicals. It means animals that are farm raised the way they were meant to by grazing in fields, eating natural foods that suit their systems without routine injections of drugs to either grow bigger/produce more milk or fight off recurring infections. Plus, organic foods does taste better and the meat doesn't shrink down in your pan like the other stuff (they also inject salt water to increase the volume and charge you more money on that non organic meat).
You will notice a difference in your health and you will feel better!! It is WAY HEALTHIER and worth the 15% or so mark up in price. And as the consumer, we speak volumes when we choose what we buy. If more and more of us demand and support the organic market, the prices will go down as supply is increased. Think about it this way, pay a little more now or hundreds of thousands for your future hospital bill when you need to receive treatment for diseases like cancer.
The above is really in a compact nutshell. It goes deeper but I know you don't have time to receive all the info now. Also, be wary of your sources when researching more for yourself. Not all official sites are 100% truthful. They have set certain "standards" that benefit themselves. And they like to publish on a need to know basis.
Use your logic: does it make sense that it's safe to eat chemicals, hormones and antibiotics on a daily basis? Is that the key to optimal health?
You probably don't know that the foods you eat are bathed in chemicals. Chemicals that are toxic poisons. Chemicals that if you were to accidentally ingest them, you'd have to call poison control or have treatment done at the hospital or you may even die. So now why is it okay or safe to eat food that has been washed in these very chemicals? Doesn't make sense! The officials likes to brainwash us to believe that it's safe to eat these food exposed to these chemicals as a very small dose won't kill us. Ya, but it's not exactly going to keep us up and running strong for long! And ps, the officials doesn't have OUR best interest at heart.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Hmmm, that's funny cuz the apple is the dirtiest fruit/veg out there! After testing, it is found to contain over 200 different chemicals! No wonder my throat would swell and my gums would itch whenever I ate a conventional apple. I thought I was allergic. Then someone suggested organic and booyah baby I can enjoy apples again!
"Well, I wash my fruits and veggies before eating them and sometimes I peel them." Washing is good to remove surface debris but it does NOT completely remove the pesticides/fungicides/herbicides that the produce has been bathed in since day one. That stuff is in the soil. It is absorbed in the roots of the plant and throughout the entire fruit or veg. Peeling is the same as it only removes the surface junk, however the peel also contains the bulk of vitamins/minerals/fiber.
FYI: In one report, the CDC found that 100% of the people tested had 13 of the 23 pesticides they analyzed. Some short term and long term effects of repeated exposure to pesticides include- infertility, birth defects, childhood and adult cancers.
"I don't eat lot's of fruits and veggies to worry, I eat meat, maize and milk." First of all, that diet alone is screaming high blood pressure and other disease! Second of all, your meat and milk is WORSE as they too are regularly "treated" to hormones and antibiotics. Plus those animals are fed Genetically Modified foods which also get that chemical treatment and are in horrific conditions! They are in small crowded pens/cages, the birds are in total darkness their whole life, the cows are in ankle deep poop which is a breeding ground for E. Coli, they are very stressed out thus causing them to naturally secrete stress hormones, they are prone to diseases from this improper ill living and many other problematic things. Would you eat roadkill? Then why would you eat this?
A quick blurb on genetically modified foods: these are foods that have been genetically engineered/altered by man (since when has man ever known more or done better than God???) These foods are fairly new and long term health effects are not yet known but don't be fooled, there are problems from these foods! The environment is already seeing repercussions and the chronic diseases that are becoming more mainstream speak volumes. Avoid the following: corn/maize, soy, cotton (oil), wheat, canola. You may say you never eat tofu but I got news for you, soy is in almost EVERY packaged food as is some form of corn.
So then what does organic mean? Basically, it means produce that is grown naturally without chemicals. It means animals that are farm raised the way they were meant to by grazing in fields, eating natural foods that suit their systems without routine injections of drugs to either grow bigger/produce more milk or fight off recurring infections. Plus, organic foods does taste better and the meat doesn't shrink down in your pan like the other stuff (they also inject salt water to increase the volume and charge you more money on that non organic meat).
You will notice a difference in your health and you will feel better!! It is WAY HEALTHIER and worth the 15% or so mark up in price. And as the consumer, we speak volumes when we choose what we buy. If more and more of us demand and support the organic market, the prices will go down as supply is increased. Think about it this way, pay a little more now or hundreds of thousands for your future hospital bill when you need to receive treatment for diseases like cancer.
The above is really in a compact nutshell. It goes deeper but I know you don't have time to receive all the info now. Also, be wary of your sources when researching more for yourself. Not all official sites are 100% truthful. They have set certain "standards" that benefit themselves. And they like to publish on a need to know basis.
Use your logic: does it make sense that it's safe to eat chemicals, hormones and antibiotics on a daily basis? Is that the key to optimal health?
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Baby's First Nutrition
YES, BREAST IS BEST…BUT WHAT ABOUT US UNFORTUNATE FEW
In a perfect world a baby will latch on shortly after birth and momma will produce enough milk to nurse baby at least 6 months exclusively. Then until baby’s 1st birthday with some solids for fun (soft ripe fruits and non starchy veggies and healthy cold pressed oils).
But alas, some of us don’t live in that perfect world. Take me for example. As you know, baby did not latch despite my best efforts for 3.5 months and I didn’t make enough milk to give her exclusively pumped milk. The last month my supply was so low, I was only getting out 15-20ml A DAY! No matter what I took or did to increase that teeny supply. I am grateful that I was able to give her some milk for her first 4 months. As a result of that situation, I have learned much regarding baby’s nutrition for the first year.
For you momma’s out there who also had to supplement with or solely give formula, this is for you (or us). Have you ever read the ingredients of formula? Yes, there are important things in there like the vitamin, mineral, protein, carb, etc. There are also some questionable things in there. I don’t say this to make you feel bad as I know the emotional heartaches of not being able to provide mother’s milk and having to turn to the commercial stuff…I mean, baby’s gotta eat! I say this more as education purposes so you can choose carefully to meet your baby’s needs. Some babies do fine on any garden variety of cow based formula but many have struggles.
*Did you know that if a calf was given the store bought version of milk, it would die in about 6 weeks! And cow milk was designed for a calf, so man has done something something to upset the original milk*
And then when you turn to the fancy formula, the lactose free hypo allergenic brand, you think it’s a wise choice…until you read and understand the ingredients. I got to say I was rather shocked at the first ingredient in the lactose free choice- corn syrup solids! There is NOTHING nutritional about corn syrup solids, quite the opposite in fact. I don’t have the time or energy to go into details of just how bad, and I mean really bad, corn syrup is so read this Dr Mercola report on corn syrup . And then you have a look at a hypo allergenic type and it lists maltodextrin as the first ingredient. Folks, maltodextrin is also derived from genetically modified corn! Um, hell no, will I give that to my sweet little one. So you think maybe soy based, but that tends to give a host of problems (ps, soy is also a genetically modified food) so steer clear of that one. So, we were stuck with the cow variety which is milk powder, whey, lactose, oils, vitamins, minerals, probiotic. It seriously constipates her, no matter what fruit or flaxseed oil or whatever, she is chronically constipated. When you understand the make up of cow milk, you’ll understand why a human baby cannot digest it well. So now what?
Goat’s milk is the closest to human milk. I’m not sure why goat milk isn’t the mainstream ingredient for commercial formula but it probably has to do with profit for the companies. I have found a goat milk formula but it has maltodextrin as the second ingredient. That made me quite mad. Why? Why! You are a product in the health shop, using organic ingredients and goat’s milk but then you ruin the whole thing with maltodextrin! Shame on you. So I had to find a recipe for goat’s milk formula. When she was 7 months, I gave this Goat Milk Formula Recipe it a try. She had good naps that day and had an easy proper bowel movement. She also grew quickly. AT FIRST, I never switched her 100% over to this recipe as I was a bit nervous about the proper vitamin/mineral ratio for her needs. Particularly the B vitamins, namely B12.
*B12 is a neat water soluble vitamin. It is the only water soluble one that can be stored in the liver for later use when stores are low. The body doesn’t need much but a deficiency can have serious irreversible damage.*
Goat’s milk is lacking in B vitamins and you have to add nutritional yeast to the formulation (along with a couple other things). But nutritional yeast does not have B12 unless it is fortified. I have yet to find a brand here that is. But I’ve finally found a product for kids, 6 months and up, that contains B vitamins including B12. I’ve also learned through my credible reading sources and some other mothers’ personal experiences that at 10 months, baby can have fresh/previously frozen goat’s milk as her main source of nutrition (like breast milk) instead of a formulation of it. Along with the Floradix KinderVital (B vitamins etc), I finally feel comfortable to say goodbye to part time use of commercial formula.
FRUIT SHOULD BE BABY’S FIRST FOOD
Not cereal as it is pushed as first food. "Raising Healthy Kids" explains why. Babies digestive systems are very immature. Babies do not produce the enzyme ptyalin which is necessary to digest starches. Also, the breakdown process of starch begins in the mouth while chewing…with teeth, which babies do not have a full set of until about 2...and with the release of the enzyme in saliva. So if you really insist on cereal as babies first food, then you’d better pre chew it for him/her!
Solids under 1 are for fun and a learning experience, not a staple source of nutrition. Main nutrition should still be coming from their milk. That is why you give baby milk before feeding a sampling of fruit. If you really think about it, a baby can’t eat a large enough quantity of food anyways to get all the required vitamins, minerals, etc for their growing body hence why milk is the staple.
Fruit is the perfect first food. It is the easiest food for us to breakdown and assimilate the readily available nutrients. Please leave that nonsense of “fruit will cause a baby to love sugar” at the door, as that theory is incorrect. Babies are wired to prefer sweet from the word go as breast milk is naturally sweet. Have you tasted breast milk? It is sweet. And a sweet piece of fruit does not even slightly compare to a sweet piece of candy.
Personal experience, my baby doesn’t even like starches. Before I learned that babies can’t breakdown starches I did try to give her oatmeal a couple times and rice twice. She wasn’t having it and I did not push the subject…she knows what she likes and needs. I also delayed trying to give her some starch as my gut told me- fruit and non-starch veggies. Ladies, listen to your gut!
Now, this is a pretty dang heated topic. I’m not sure where or why it has become such a hot sore spot for people who enter into a discussion which rarely lasts for more than a sentence as a discussion before erupting into a hot debate. Why is that? Is it because it is regarding the health of children? Other things regarding kids’ health can be discussed without tempers flaring so I don’t know if that is truly it. Let's try to take a look at some points without getting upset :)
The purpose of a vaccine is to introduce a dead (sometimes live) disease cell so the immune system can start to make antibodies against it so if the off chance you contract the true disease your body is immune to it. That’s fine and dandy.
I am not pro vaccine, not for babies at least. Babies are not even capable of creating antibodies until at least 6 months of age, yet they are heavily vaccinated well before that age! It is useless to give babies vaccines as they can’t even create antibodies. Also there are several questionable ingredients in vaccines. Mercury, aluminum, monkey DNA, aborted fetal tissue to name a few.
Dr Kurt Perkins does a lovely job of breaking down vaccines especially the diseases along with statistics to support his stance. Even if you are pro vaccine read his post. He informs readers of how vaccines are not tested on humans before release to market. He discusses each disease, the chance of contracting it and provides charts of each disease rate over several years. Vaccines typically come out once the disease has been well on the decline if not almost wiped out. And he shows that the true cause of disease is poor sanitation, poor hygiene and poor nutrition.
Bottom line- good sanitation, quality nutrition and good hygiene are key to health and wellness...this holds true for babies too :) All the best!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
More Raw Foods... Take 3... Action!
Every since baby has been on solids, I've further cleaned up my eating habits. My habits are generally pretty good but lacking in some areas- never organic, little raw (fruit only with the odd salad) and can't say no to "treatsies" (chips? yes! brownies? um hello! chocolate bar? does a bear poo in the woods!!-that was an editted answer from a Friends episode for all you that didn't get that reference).
So because I am overly caring, hyper particular mother, my baby gets the best of the best. Organic, homemade, healthy happy foods. This has re focused my former good habits (pre pregnancy). Not sure why pregnancy opened a door to chips, brownies, cheesecake? Luckily, it was only a couple weeks in the 2nd trimester, but I digress. Also, how and why would baby be pro zucchini if papa and mama are eating Lay's Sweet Chili? Example! Before, I go on, I want to clarify that we aren't generally bad eaters. We don't do that fast food thing and we don't indulge in packaged crap which I haven't been a fan of for years. I just want to get our diet even more squeaky clean to match baby's needs too. More organic and raw in particular. Note- Baby won't be a raw baby cuz she does require iron, but it'll come from clean free range organic sources. My husband doesn't want to eat meat anymore though and I've never been a big fan. But we aren't announcing vegetarianism either. Meat will be rarely consumed by us parents.
Alright, I've tried to get heavy into raw foods twice now. The first time I was an eager beaver. My family had equipment too-blender, food processor, juicer and a cheapie food dehydrator. It was the summer before I moved to the other side of the world. I had quit my job 6 weeks in advance so I could just be with the family before leaving on a jet plane. I was in a city that had a bulk food store with cheap nuts and seeds and health food shops for any other need on the ingredient list. I went gung ho...for 4 days. Then I got tired of spending my day in the kitchen soaking, processing, blending, juicing, slicing, drying. It was a lot of work to prepare one meal which had to be done in advance.
My second attempt was somewhere around the end of 1st trimester (before I got crazy with cravings in 2nd trimester). My nausea was calming down and I had enough of it and figured raw foods would do it. I didn't have the equipment. I had a blender. So I combed through my raw foods book for recipes that were pretty much salads and blended drinks and soups. I did have a stove top oven which had a low setting so I tried one dehydrator recipe. It turned out mediocre at best. Well, that lasted maybe 2 days? My gag reflexes kicked in at the thought of another raw thing. I wanted a warm plate of saucy pasta. The cravings had arrived.
I had dabbled here and there inbetween those 2 attempts to go raw again but it's tough. And in that time, I had come up with excuses why raw is tough.
1. I don't have the equipment- vitamix, bosch, excalibur, cold press juicer, veg spiraler, mandolin
2. I like to have a warm plate of food- mmmm, lentils and rice
3. I don't have time- soaking, processing, blending, drying, slicing, juicing...I have a busy baby!
4. I like yogurt, eggs and salmon
5. Nuts and seeds are so expensive this side of Cape Town
So here we are again, take 3. But this time, I'm gonna be smart and I have a plan to attack those 5 excuses:
1. I don't need all the equipment. How hard is it to chop up some veg for a salad? Crush some walnuts, toss em with spices and soy sauce and add this "taco meat" on top. I'm gonna do simple stuff that doesn't require a counter full of gadgets. Salads, soups, drinks, desserts, snacks.
2. I'm not gonna commit to being 100% raw. We watched Food Matters the other day, loved it, and they said that eating just 51% raw foods diet will do the trick of raising your health up up up. So that is my goal. Take plate, and fill slightly more than half with raw organic produce. Easy.
3. I'm not doing the time consuming recipes. As for soaking nuts, how hard is it to pour some water over the almonds before I go to bed?
4. I will still eat yogurt, eggs and salmon. Natural organic yogurt that I flavor with stevia and fresh fruit. Free range eggs sunny side up (yolk still raw). And salmon sashimi...drool everywhere.
5. Not much I can about the price but I can cut down the amount that the recipe calls for. Still works.
So because I am overly caring, hyper particular mother, my baby gets the best of the best. Organic, homemade, healthy happy foods. This has re focused my former good habits (pre pregnancy). Not sure why pregnancy opened a door to chips, brownies, cheesecake? Luckily, it was only a couple weeks in the 2nd trimester, but I digress. Also, how and why would baby be pro zucchini if papa and mama are eating Lay's Sweet Chili? Example! Before, I go on, I want to clarify that we aren't generally bad eaters. We don't do that fast food thing and we don't indulge in packaged crap which I haven't been a fan of for years. I just want to get our diet even more squeaky clean to match baby's needs too. More organic and raw in particular. Note- Baby won't be a raw baby cuz she does require iron, but it'll come from clean free range organic sources. My husband doesn't want to eat meat anymore though and I've never been a big fan. But we aren't announcing vegetarianism either. Meat will be rarely consumed by us parents.
Alright, I've tried to get heavy into raw foods twice now. The first time I was an eager beaver. My family had equipment too-blender, food processor, juicer and a cheapie food dehydrator. It was the summer before I moved to the other side of the world. I had quit my job 6 weeks in advance so I could just be with the family before leaving on a jet plane. I was in a city that had a bulk food store with cheap nuts and seeds and health food shops for any other need on the ingredient list. I went gung ho...for 4 days. Then I got tired of spending my day in the kitchen soaking, processing, blending, juicing, slicing, drying. It was a lot of work to prepare one meal which had to be done in advance.
My second attempt was somewhere around the end of 1st trimester (before I got crazy with cravings in 2nd trimester). My nausea was calming down and I had enough of it and figured raw foods would do it. I didn't have the equipment. I had a blender. So I combed through my raw foods book for recipes that were pretty much salads and blended drinks and soups. I did have a stove top oven which had a low setting so I tried one dehydrator recipe. It turned out mediocre at best. Well, that lasted maybe 2 days? My gag reflexes kicked in at the thought of another raw thing. I wanted a warm plate of saucy pasta. The cravings had arrived.
I had dabbled here and there inbetween those 2 attempts to go raw again but it's tough. And in that time, I had come up with excuses why raw is tough.
1. I don't have the equipment- vitamix, bosch, excalibur, cold press juicer, veg spiraler, mandolin
2. I like to have a warm plate of food- mmmm, lentils and rice
3. I don't have time- soaking, processing, blending, drying, slicing, juicing...I have a busy baby!
4. I like yogurt, eggs and salmon
5. Nuts and seeds are so expensive this side of Cape Town
So here we are again, take 3. But this time, I'm gonna be smart and I have a plan to attack those 5 excuses:
1. I don't need all the equipment. How hard is it to chop up some veg for a salad? Crush some walnuts, toss em with spices and soy sauce and add this "taco meat" on top. I'm gonna do simple stuff that doesn't require a counter full of gadgets. Salads, soups, drinks, desserts, snacks.
2. I'm not gonna commit to being 100% raw. We watched Food Matters the other day, loved it, and they said that eating just 51% raw foods diet will do the trick of raising your health up up up. So that is my goal. Take plate, and fill slightly more than half with raw organic produce. Easy.
3. I'm not doing the time consuming recipes. As for soaking nuts, how hard is it to pour some water over the almonds before I go to bed?
4. I will still eat yogurt, eggs and salmon. Natural organic yogurt that I flavor with stevia and fresh fruit. Free range eggs sunny side up (yolk still raw). And salmon sashimi...drool everywhere.
5. Not much I can about the price but I can cut down the amount that the recipe calls for. Still works.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Happy Social Girl
It's unfortunate when parents don't realize that their babies are actually little people in the making. I don't like to see or hear when parents treat babies like "babies"-unknowing, uneducated creatures that just eat, sleep and cry. The way parents interact (or don't interact) with their little ones HAS an effect on their development.
People keep telling me that my baby is so happy and social. Let me tell, we interact with her to help develop her as such. I spend pretty much the whole day entertaining, playing or teaching my baby. I sing for her. I dance for her. We exercise together. She on her activity mat, I on my yoga mat beside her. I conversate with her which means I talk to her AND allow pauses for her to reply even though it may just be a squeal. I read to her everyday. We play games. She has soft blocks, one with letters and one with numbers. With the letter block we take turns rolling it and whatever letter it lands on I point/show her things in the room that start with that letter. And I repeat those things three times to help it stick. With the number block we just roll and whoever gets the higher number wins. I do a little cheer at each win. We get fresh air everyday. I allow her to have play time in the bath so as to prevent bath time from becoming this yucky thing one has to do to get clean. And I am constantly smiling and laughing with her. And other such things.
Now I say those things not to brag but to show that interaction does affect their development. I wish more parents could take some time to treat babies as equals and not dumb little things. I mean, ya, babies aren't born knowing all of the ways of life but it is parents responsibility to teach and protect and most of all love and enjoy each day with the little ones.
People keep telling me that my baby is so happy and social. Let me tell, we interact with her to help develop her as such. I spend pretty much the whole day entertaining, playing or teaching my baby. I sing for her. I dance for her. We exercise together. She on her activity mat, I on my yoga mat beside her. I conversate with her which means I talk to her AND allow pauses for her to reply even though it may just be a squeal. I read to her everyday. We play games. She has soft blocks, one with letters and one with numbers. With the letter block we take turns rolling it and whatever letter it lands on I point/show her things in the room that start with that letter. And I repeat those things three times to help it stick. With the number block we just roll and whoever gets the higher number wins. I do a little cheer at each win. We get fresh air everyday. I allow her to have play time in the bath so as to prevent bath time from becoming this yucky thing one has to do to get clean. And I am constantly smiling and laughing with her. And other such things.
Now I say those things not to brag but to show that interaction does affect their development. I wish more parents could take some time to treat babies as equals and not dumb little things. I mean, ya, babies aren't born knowing all of the ways of life but it is parents responsibility to teach and protect and most of all love and enjoy each day with the little ones.
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