I really can not add anything else to what was said in this piece that aired this morning on ABC's Good Morning America . I did not personally see the original airing of the piece, but my dad did and let me know about it. Thanks Dad! I certainly don't believe that home birthing is for everyone, and I respect other women and their choice to birth in the hospital and maybe this will help others respect and understand my choice TO birth at home and not see it as such a "strange" option.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Hippies Aren't The Only Home Birthers........
I wanted to share this article about Home Birth from a website I frequent, because not only do I think Home Birth is an awesome thing, but also just to show others that is not some crazy choice that only super crunchy or "granola" type families choose. It is a fabulous choice for many and not that my motive for choosing home birth was based on a celebrity endorsement (nor should anyone else's), but funny thing about celebrities....they tend to bring more awareness to certain topics and make things more acceptable to the mainstream public. The article isn't ground-breaking or supremely written, but viewed from the eyes of someone who oft gets gets strange looks or comments about my choice to have my second, much less my third child at home, it is fun to see an article like this that isn't bogged down with negativity.
Celebrities and Homebirth
by Monica Beyer
With the arrival of daughter Maxine on May 1, 2011, 311 frontman Nick Hexum not only witnessed the homebirth of his child; he was actually the person who delivered her. He and his wife, Nikki, had arranged for a homebirth (their second) with a midwife present, but baby Maxine’s arrival took less time than anticipated and she made her presence known before the midwife’s arrival. Even though the delivery wasn’t without a few tense moments, the proud dad reported that the experience was overwhelming and incredible.
While daddy deliveries are still somewhat rare, celebrity homebirth is becoming more prevalent. Here are a few examples:
- Jennifer Connelly’s daughter Agnes Lark was born at home on May 31, 2011
- Gisele Bündchen delivered her son at home in her bathtub in December of 2009
- Nelly Furtado experienced a homebirth in 2003 with her daughter Nevis
- Cindy Crawford had two homebirths — son Presley and daughter Kaia
- Pamela Anderson’s two sons were born at home
- Kelly Preston had a baby boy at home in November of 2010
- Erykah Badu birthed all three of her children at home
Mothers choose homebirth for a number of reasons — a desire to avoid the unnecessary medical interventions that often accompany hospital births, a sense of empowerment and ability, and a wish to be at home, in comfort, surrounded with the ones they love.
Giselle Bündchen has become one of the most outspoken celebrities on homebirth. She has openly talked about blogged about the experience. She said, “It was the most amazing experience of my life, feeling him come through my body. And once he was born, I never felt so empowered as looking at him and thinking, Oh, my God, we did it together!”
If you are considering a homebirth, you are in excellent company. Not only will you join the many celebrities who are keen on keeping the birth experience natural and at home, but the countless couples worldwide who are hopeful to allow their bodies to do what nature intended in the best environment possible.
About Monica: Monica has been writing professionally since 2000 and has two published books — Teach Your Baby to Sign and Baby Talk. Her writing appears in a number of websites. The mother of four children, Monica is a cloth diaper and natural parenting enthusiast. She also sews custom fleece soakers at Mama Bird.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
I Heart........
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
16 Weeks
I have finally gotten around to posting the pictures we took almost 3 weeks ago now. Yes, things are a little behind as I am just now getting to post the 16 week maternity shot, even though if you look in the right hand side bar of this blog at the pregnancy ticker you will notice I am fast approaching 19 weeks! Life just gets crazy sometimes, I don't know how all these people with Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and whatever else there is keep up with it all, I have a hard enough time keeping up with one blog, texting, and actual people! Not to mention I rely on someone else to edit my photos, who is a very busy, husband, father, hard working editor/producer, and photographer so things get a little delayed and that's ok. But nonetheless we always have pictures it is just a matter of sharing them with you all!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Smoothies, Protein Balls and Crayons
Smoothies are a fan favorite around here so while there has not been much happening blog worthy lately, I thought I would share my recipe for the one I make pretty much on a daily basis for the the kiddos and myself. If there is left over smoothie I just put it in popsicle molds for an instant sweet treat later on, Sophie especially loves it this way!
Smorgishborg Smoothie
For the frozen fruits I just sort of eye up how much I want in there but if you need some sort of measurement I would say it is at least two good sized handfuls of each.
Frozen Mango
Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Blueberries
2-3 Kale leaves (stems removed)
1 whole Banana
1 tsp Alfalfa powder
2 TBSP Liquid Chlorophyll
Orange Juice (enough to make it all liquidy and smoothie like)
Blend until smooth!
Why I use the ingredients I do:
Mango - improves digestion, lowers cholesterol, improves concentration and memory, helps clear pores, rich in iron, helps fight diabetes, high in antioxidents which are known preventors of cancer and heart disease.
Strawberries - high amounts of dietary fiber, antioxidents, anti-inflammatory, loaded with Vitamin C and Manganese and the Potassium, Vitamin K and Magnesium help build strong bones.
Blueberries - highest antioxident capacity of all fruit, neutralizes free radicals which can affect disease and aging, improved urinary tract health, aids in better vision and brain health, high fiber content.
Kale - full of Vitamins A,K, & C, antioxidents and anti-inflammatory properties help fight cancer, high fiber is heart healthy, aids in digestion, lowers blood sugar and curbs overeating.
Banana - good source of potassium, minimizes the risk of kidney stones, highest source of naturally available Vitamin B6 which helps your body to make hemoglobin a crucial ingredient in blood.
Alfalfa - contains 8 essential amino acids, rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc, a good source of beta carotene. This superfood provides a plethora of other AWESOME health benefits....just Google it and see for yourself!
Liquid Chlorophyll - cancer fighting, high levels of Vitamins A, C, & E making it a strong anti- inflammatory and antioxident, binds to and removes toxic heavy metals (like mercury) from your body, aids our bodies tissue in fighting germs, rapid delivery of magnesium, contains Vitamins K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium and protein which are all essential in building and repairing red blood cells and boosting our immune system.
Another new favorite I tested out recently was a recipe I found for protein balls. It had chocolate in it so I figured all members (myself included) of the Slimick fam would enjoy!
No Bake Protein Balls
3/4 cup Truvia ( I do not use Truvia so I just used my Demerara sugar, but any pure, natural cane sugar will do)
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup coconut oil or butter (I used coconut oil because of it's benefits)
1/2 cup vanilla or chocolate almond milk ( I used unsweetened unflavored)
1/2 cup NATURAL peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups chocolate whey crisps (ok I really have no idea what these are so I went to the health food store and bought a healthy non-high fructose syrup containing brown rice crisp cereal I figured it was close enough, just thought I would include what the recipe actually called for in case anyone actually had whey crisps on hand!)
1 scoop chocolate protein powder, the recipe did not call for this but I added it anyway.
Combine first 4 ingredients in saucepan and bring to rolling boiling for 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and drop by the tablespoon onto wax paper. Let cool and Enjoy. As a side note, I had to put mine in the fridge and store them there to help keep their firm texture.
They came out really good and were a HUGE hit with the kids and Neal. My mom even enjoyed them.
We have a lot of broken unused pitiful looking crayons around here, as I am sure many households with young children do. Not wanting to be wasteful these poor excuses for children's art supplies lay hidden away in our dark art closet, feeling inspired and on top of my game yesterday I enlisted the help of my ever willing husband to help me tear off all the little itty bitty stuck on like glue paper from ALL of our children's broken crayons so that Sophie and I could make recycled muffin crayons today!
Recycled Muffin Crayons
Lots of broken crayons with the paper peeled off
Muffin tins
Cooking spray ( I don't use cooking spray so I opted for a bit of vegetable oil on a paper towel to coat my muffin tins with)
Spray or rub oil into muffin tins, break up crayons into smallish pieces so they fit in the tins. Combine like colors or combine non like colors, make 'em funky and fun!
Bake in a 275 degree oven for 8 minutes. Ours took longer not sure if it was the type of crayons we used or what so just watch yours until they are melty. Take them out of the oven let cool you can put them in the fridge or freezer to speed up the process if you have eager excited children! Color!
Smorgishborg Smoothie
For the frozen fruits I just sort of eye up how much I want in there but if you need some sort of measurement I would say it is at least two good sized handfuls of each.
Frozen Mango
Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Blueberries
2-3 Kale leaves (stems removed)
1 whole Banana
1 tsp Alfalfa powder
2 TBSP Liquid Chlorophyll
Orange Juice (enough to make it all liquidy and smoothie like)
Blend until smooth!
Why I use the ingredients I do:
Mango - improves digestion, lowers cholesterol, improves concentration and memory, helps clear pores, rich in iron, helps fight diabetes, high in antioxidents which are known preventors of cancer and heart disease.
Strawberries - high amounts of dietary fiber, antioxidents, anti-inflammatory, loaded with Vitamin C and Manganese and the Potassium, Vitamin K and Magnesium help build strong bones.
Blueberries - highest antioxident capacity of all fruit, neutralizes free radicals which can affect disease and aging, improved urinary tract health, aids in better vision and brain health, high fiber content.
Kale - full of Vitamins A,K, & C, antioxidents and anti-inflammatory properties help fight cancer, high fiber is heart healthy, aids in digestion, lowers blood sugar and curbs overeating.
Banana - good source of potassium, minimizes the risk of kidney stones, highest source of naturally available Vitamin B6 which helps your body to make hemoglobin a crucial ingredient in blood.
Alfalfa - contains 8 essential amino acids, rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc, a good source of beta carotene. This superfood provides a plethora of other AWESOME health benefits....just Google it and see for yourself!
Liquid Chlorophyll - cancer fighting, high levels of Vitamins A, C, & E making it a strong anti- inflammatory and antioxident, binds to and removes toxic heavy metals (like mercury) from your body, aids our bodies tissue in fighting germs, rapid delivery of magnesium, contains Vitamins K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium and protein which are all essential in building and repairing red blood cells and boosting our immune system.
Another new favorite I tested out recently was a recipe I found for protein balls. It had chocolate in it so I figured all members (myself included) of the Slimick fam would enjoy!
No Bake Protein Balls
3/4 cup Truvia ( I do not use Truvia so I just used my Demerara sugar, but any pure, natural cane sugar will do)
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup coconut oil or butter (I used coconut oil because of it's benefits)
1/2 cup vanilla or chocolate almond milk ( I used unsweetened unflavored)
1/2 cup NATURAL peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups chocolate whey crisps (ok I really have no idea what these are so I went to the health food store and bought a healthy non-high fructose syrup containing brown rice crisp cereal I figured it was close enough, just thought I would include what the recipe actually called for in case anyone actually had whey crisps on hand!)
1 scoop chocolate protein powder, the recipe did not call for this but I added it anyway.
Combine first 4 ingredients in saucepan and bring to rolling boiling for 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and drop by the tablespoon onto wax paper. Let cool and Enjoy. As a side note, I had to put mine in the fridge and store them there to help keep their firm texture.
They came out really good and were a HUGE hit with the kids and Neal. My mom even enjoyed them.
We have a lot of broken unused pitiful looking crayons around here, as I am sure many households with young children do. Not wanting to be wasteful these poor excuses for children's art supplies lay hidden away in our dark art closet, feeling inspired and on top of my game yesterday I enlisted the help of my ever willing husband to help me tear off all the little itty bitty stuck on like glue paper from ALL of our children's broken crayons so that Sophie and I could make recycled muffin crayons today!
Recycled Muffin Crayons
Lots of broken crayons with the paper peeled off
Muffin tins
Cooking spray ( I don't use cooking spray so I opted for a bit of vegetable oil on a paper towel to coat my muffin tins with)
Spray or rub oil into muffin tins, break up crayons into smallish pieces so they fit in the tins. Combine like colors or combine non like colors, make 'em funky and fun!
Bake in a 275 degree oven for 8 minutes. Ours took longer not sure if it was the type of crayons we used or what so just watch yours until they are melty. Take them out of the oven let cool you can put them in the fridge or freezer to speed up the process if you have eager excited children! Color!
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