My First Pregnant Dessert: Fresh Peach Crisp

Something that has been truly hard for me is kicking out all the refined sugar from my house.  Anyone who has met me knows I am a complete sucker for sweets.  Embarrassing confession:  I once had a sweet tooth so badly I dumped some sugar into peanut butter and chowed down.  Today, I needed something sweet.  It has been three days since I cold turkey (funny expression for a pescetarian) did away with refined and processed sugar, which has meant that I simply stayed away from all things sweet.
However, this is not just Sayonara to processed sugar in all forms.  This is kicking out all white sugar and any other sugar that is specifically raw because these can gunk up your liver leaving it not so strong if HELLP syndrome settles in.  Some things my mind jumps to immediately are honey, agave, and raw cane sugar.  Whenever searching for recipes, I search by ingredients rather than trying to sort through a lot of recipes for one dish.  The ingredients I knew I had in the kitchen to workout a dessert with today were:

A basket of peaches (Thanks, Pop)
Agave
Arrowroot (In place of cornstarch because corn products are to avoided for a happy liver)

When I searched these ingredients I stumbled upon Elana's Pantry.  I am a little in love.  Here is her recipe for Peach Crisp:

Peach Crisp

6 large peaches, sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
1 ½ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ cup grapeseed oil (I actually used coconut oil because I didn't have any grapeseed oil on hand.)
¼ cup agave nectar

1. Place peach slices in a large bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice, vanilla, and arrowroot; toss to incorporate all ingredients
2. In a smaller bowl, combine almond flour, salt, grapeseed oil and agave for topping
3. Place peach mixture in a 3 quart baking dish
4. Crumble topping over peaches
5. Bake covered at 350° for 45 minutes, until peach juice is bubbling
6. Remove cover and bake a few more minutes if topping is not yet browned
7. Serve

It was delicious and quite satiating.  I generally find myself a bottomless pit for dessert.. Maybe it was the almond flour, but this crisp was really filling.  While I am on the topic of almond flour, I will say that it is a bit pricey for me, but it is really worth it in recipes like this.  I try to use something as healthy and cost effective for more commonly made foods like bread or thickening sauce, but, wow, sometimes that almond flour make all the difference!

So, a big Thanks! to Elana's Pantry for providing our dessert menu while staying within our healthy liver, healthy pregnancy bounds!

How do you indulge your sweet tooth?

Let's Talk Birthing Choices

So....  the I tried the super medical approach-  you know, the explore-everything-that-could-ever-possibly-go-wrong route.  I went to the Medical University (MU).

1. They mixed up my medical records with another lady who was 5 months further* along than me.  When I told them this fact, they argued with me until I insisted on giving them my social security number.
2. The MU insisted that I have an internal ultrasound at 8 weeks.  When the doctor performed said ultrasound, she placed the transducer in the wrong place.  Only after I told her she was in the wrong neighborhood did she remove the transducer and start searching for the right neighborhood.  No explanation.  No apology.
3. Once my clothes were back on, they told me I needed a pelvic exam.
4. When I spoke with the OBGYN, he gave me the following information:
   a)  Although I am in a fully monogamous marriage and have been for years, I had to have $1000 bloodwork done to test for HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B.
   b)  I would need a new and different test every visit to determine any and everything that could be wrong with my baby.
   c)  At 20 weeks I would need another internal ultrasound to take a comprehensive look at each of my baby's organs to make sure they were properly forming and functioning.
   d)  Finally, we discussed my desired for a VBAC.  The doctor very cavalierly said that he would hope for a VBAC if that is what I wanted, but when the time came, I would end up having a Cesarean because that is what would be best for me and the baby since I had a Cesarean under my belt (no pun intended) already.  
5. When I inquired about all the tests, the OBGYN told me that they are very thorough with their patients.  Apparently the MU treats all high risk cases the same.  However, all high risk cases are not the same.  I asked specifically about the test for Down Syndrome.  "I'm not even 30...  am I really at risk?"  To which the OBGYN said that he thought everyone should have the test.  I am a minimally invasive, hands off kind of gal.  Constant, expensive, unnecessary testing sounds scary, uncomfortable, and like something to which neither my baby or I need to be subjected. 

I came home in tears.  I was no longer excited to be pregnant.  Sure, I was still excited to be adding a new child to our family, but I was horrified and terrified at the road ahead of me.  Over dinner I poured out my feelings to Jason and told him that I never wanted to be pregnant again.  Sure I am the pregnant one, but somehow, all of the decision-making was left to other people.  He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Blythe, clearly this is not our best option."  We called the birthing center the very next day to ask if there was any chance they could do my prenatal care again.  Turns out, the answer was yes, but I would need to deliver at the local hospital.  I made an appointment and the midwives three weeks later.  We discussed how I was feeling and how I could listen to my body.  I love that at the birthing center, the biggest (though of course not the only) indicator of my pregnancy health is what my body is telling me.  

When I came home from the birthing center, I was energetic and excited.  I was ready to be pregnant.  I didn't have anxiety from the idea that people were going to poking and prodding me for nine months with no reverence for the fact that I am a person, not merely and incubator.  

Women's birthing options are disappearing.  We are hardly given information on our options as is, but now our options are simply disappearing.  I think my favorite remark I have received after revealing that I prefer birthing centers over hospitals is, "Well, you're taking a huge risk.  You're putting your baby at risk."  To that person I say, if you were more educated about all of a woman's birthing options, you would understand that everything birthing situation comes with its share of risk, and, Honey, it's not your fault for not knowing that.  We, as a society, should be much more proactive about informing pregnant couples (and people just wanting information) about women's birthing options.  There are many.

1. Home Birth: This allows a woman to give birth in the privacy of her home.  Most women who decide on a home birth prefer their own space.  In her own space, smells, lighting, temperatures, etc. are controllable and predictable.  Mammals are designed to birth in environments that are quiet, low lighting, and private.  Did you know that a dog will actually take herself out of labor if her environment isn't quiet and private enough?  This is probably why home births generally lead to more natural, fewer complication births.  However, home birth means at home, and I don't know about you, but I don't have an OR in case of emergencies located in my house.  Home birth carries a risk of not getting to a hospital in time.  Also, currently (I did some research, but would love to be corrected on this), it is not illegal to give birth in your home in ANY state, but it IS illegal in some states to have someone besides an OBGYN do a medical procedure.  For example:  It is legal to push a baby out in your home, but it may be illegal to have a midwife check how dilated you are.
2. Birthing Center:  This is the medium between home birth and the hospital.  It's a medical environment that is designed to be as homey and hands-off as can be unless otherwise necessary.  Often these establishments have hospital affiliates for situations that arise that may need medical attention beyond the scope of a midwife.  Birthing centers focus on natural birth, offering options such as waterbirths, birthing balls, and birth stools for pain management.  Birthing without medication has proven to lower rates of cesarean.  Again, you are not at a hospital, so there is no surgical equipment or pain medication should you decide birth is overwhelming.  At a birthing that is more hands-off, if you want certain tests done (like genetic screening), you will need to speak up.  They will not just casually do it.
3. Hospital:  Medical intervention at its finest.  Hospitals save lives.  They are equipped with the highest level of education doctors and the tools to help get that baby out in any situation.  That have medication, nurseries, OBGYNS, neonatal specialists.  Hospitals tend to take the reins out of the mother's hands, and that makes some women more comfortable when giving birth.  In hospitals, Doctors deliver babies, whereas midwives "catch" the baby you delivered.  Hospitals also have about a 1 in 4 Cesarean Section rate, whether needed or not.
4. Obstetrician:  Delivers at the hospital.  An OB is the most educated person to bring your baby into this world.  However, OBs like to be in charge.  They will make decisions for you.  They will put pressure to do things her/his way.
5. Family Practitioner:  Generally delivers in hospital.  Good for low risk pregnancies.
6. Midwife:  Midwives can have a wide spectrum of training. Certified nurse-midwives have a nursing degree and additional training in midwifery. Direct-entry midwives or certified professional midwives have extensive training in midwifery even though they do not have a nursing degree. Most midwives offer care that is flexible and individualized with little medical intervention. Because of limited formal training, they usually limit their care to low risk pregnancies. Many midwives offer deliveries in homes, birthing centers, or hospitals.**
7. Unassisted:  is just that:  unassisted.  Check out this blog on why this mother chose unassisted child birth.
8. Natural:  No medication.  It works on your body's natural production of Oxytocin rather that the synthetic Pitocin.  No epidural.  Natural birth only uses what mother nature thought was requisite.  
9. Vaginal:  This can be with or without pain medication.  Maybe part one way, part another.  This can be done EVEN IF you have already had a Cesarean.
10. Cesarean:  Surgery to get your baby out performed in an operating room.  Sometimes it is an emergency, sometimes it is planned.  This can limit your number of children.  

And you know what?  I don't care what you choose.  I know that for me, for my family, a birthing center prenatal care and a hospital delivery with midwives catching my baby is best.  If it's not for you, that is perfectly okay.  And do not let anyone make you feel uncomfortable about it.  As a mother and as a couple, that is yours to decide.  

*Okay, Grammar Police, I consulted my personal Grammar Police and was advised that either could be considered correct. We could be saying "farther" because we can measure a pregnancy as having 40 weeks in it, and therefore could be discussing a measurable amount of time.  However, we decided that "further" would be more correct since most pregnancies do not actually measure 40 weeks (either going over or under).  Feel free to leave your opinion.  

**Explanation taken from americanpregnancy.org

Merry Christmas Done Wooten Style

My side of the family decided to Cruise for our Christmas season.  Along the way we stopped at Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico.  

 Every night on the cruise there was either a Broadway-style variety show or a comedy show.  Conveniently, Carnival offered both family-friendly viewings and adult-only viewings.

 My mom entertaining Ezra while we wait for the show to begin.  He hopped from seat to seat for a while, but once the shows did begin we loved the music, dancing, and lights.

 Family photo op in Cozumel!  Court and I were in the same spot four and a half years ago!

 Court got her fair share of sling work.  Now, I have to say something about this sling.  I was certainly skeptical about its claim to carry up to 35 pounds, but here you see my itty bitty sister carrying a 32 pound kid.  I love it.
Ezra is showing off the flower Aunt CoCo gave him to match the sling.

(Jason here) Food done the Mexican way.  The chicken was OK, but the guacamole was very good and the bean dip was excellent.  The presentation was very nice, too.  This picture is after I'd already taken a couple of bites.

 Housekeeping created towel friends every night to keep Ezra's Christmas bear and Monkey company.  We got to find them every night after the show.

 So... Belize was an interesting place...  if by interesting I mean I have no desire to go back.  We had a fine time walking around the compound gated off for cruisers that measure about three city blocks.  However, by the gates were men with guns who looked less than friendly.  We brightened the day with a mango smoothie and then headed back to the ship.

 Roatan was our favorite day.  We spent it taking advantage of nerdy photo ops and lounging on the beach.

 "What's wrong with socks and sandals?"

 Pathway to the Mahogany Bay beach.  The island was so lush and green right up until you hit sand.  We got to see some neat plants that would close when touched and only reopen after a few minutes had passed.  Interestly to me, they only closed when touched by something living;  the rain did not make them close up.

(Jason here) Ezra and I spent a lot of time out in the water.  At one point when I wasn't paying enough attention to the incoming waves, a big one hit us both right in the face!  I asked Ezra, "Did that wave smash us right in the face?"  "Yeah... smash face!"  A minute later, Ezra told me "I want smash... face!"  So I held him at just the right height until another big wave came and smashed him in the face.  "Did that wave smash you in the face?"  "Yeah!"  "Was that fun Ezra?" "Yeah!" (Surprised Daddy) "Do you want to do that again?"  "NO!"

 Ezra and Jason had so much fun playing in the waves that Ezra was completely worn out by lunch time.

 But don't confuse that for too worn out for lunch time.  He and CoCo shared mozzarella sticks on the beach.  The waiters actually come to you on the beach with menus.

 Teaching good nerd habits at a young age.

 More towel friends.  This one was a crab.  Ezra enjoyed all the animals, but mostly he enjoyed the eyes.  He would take them off and proudly proclaim, "Frog Eyes!" and then put them back.  Or put them on Jason's glasses, declaring, "Daddy Eyes!"

 The ladies in Costa Maya.  It was the shortest day and the rainiest day.  It was also a compound much like Belize, so we decided the comfort of our ship was more enticing.

 Ezra was very dapper for "Elegant Night" dinners.  Also pictured is "Monkey," the stuffed gorilla that Ezra took everywhere with him on the cruise.  Monkey even had his own seat at Showtime.

 The favorite towel animal was a monkey that hung from above our mirror.

The ladies with our servers, Lalu and Wayan, after our last dinner. These guys spoiled us rotten with amazing food, great service, and constant smiles.  They particularly loved our charming kiddo-  they danced with him and constantly brought him chocolate milk.  

First Trimester Balance and Hunger

I do not understand why humans got away from eating whole grains.  Why is it so freaking hard, not to mention expensive, to find whole grain options in food.  Why is the default white flour?

One of the most frustrating things I have encountered is a lack of options.  I still want good food, I just wanted it to be real food.  You know, stuff my body knows how to digest.  For some reason, this pregnancy has decided to make me way sicker than last time (at least in my recollection).  It seems like this time, and remember that I am only 8 weeks at this point, I am either STARVING, exhausted, absolutely nauseous, or some combination of the three.

Taken from zazzle.com
(yes! you can buy this shirt!)

Also, cravings?  Yeah.  I read a while back that simply because you have a particular craving when you're pregnant does not mean you should give in to it.   Sometimes what's best for your body and baby is not that crazy Twizzler/pickle combo your brain is dreaming up.  With that said, many times when I am feeling sick, it seems the only thing that would make me feel better is that carbo-licious biscuit smothered in butter and syrup (not real maple syrup-  Mrs. Butterworth's terrible for but oh-so-stinkin-good syrup).  What am I to do?  Well, I have figured out that if I don't let myself get to the point of being really hungry, the cravings keep themselves more in check.  It's the total opposite of how my un-pregnant eating habits should be, which is do not shove food in your mouth if you are not hungry.  Now, in order to control what is going into my body and my crazy hunger, I have eat a small snack before I am hungry.*

Also, this week I decided to cut myself some slack because, whoa, those reins were tight.  Four weeks ago when I began this adventure, I knew I would start out strict and find balance as I journeyed on.  With the exception of one weekly aberration, I have abstained from bread of any sort, refined sugar or any real amount of organic sugar, white pastas, corn, and basically anything that isn't amazing for my body.  Call me weak, but some concessions have to be made.  So.  Here is my compromise with myself:  I am still steering clear of as much refined sugar and corn as possible because those are biggies.  However, I went to Whole Foods yesterday** and picked up snacks.  Yes, snacks, those creatures that un-pregnant people give such a bad rap.  But remember, snacks make good choices later way more feasible.

Taken from someecards.com

Having food on hand that doesn't need much preparation means better choices because cravings aren't taking over and fewer apologies to the husband for things that come spewing out of my mouth.  I picked up some basics like brown rice cakes and Brazil nuts, but then I got to the bakery and found bread.  I had already decided that I was going to stop shunning bread, so my heart did a leap as I pulled my buggy (that's a shopping cart to all ya'll out of the south) and asked for this amazing black pepper and Parmesan bread.  The great thing (okay, some of the great things) about the Whole Foods bakery is that they list the wholesome ingredients and that list is short rather than the length of my arm.  Then, I got a second loaf of bread.  Since my black pepper and Parmesan bread was to accent dinners, I also picked up the most whole grain, kernel-ed bread I could find to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

But, enough of this food talk, it is really time for a nap.

*Some small snacks are a green salad, a couple Brazil nuts, almonds, a banana, whole grain bread with some cold-pressed olive oil-  you get the picture.

**I used to be a strictly Earth Fare gal, but corporate wins this round.  Whole Foods is so much bigger and has everything I need in multiple options including fair trade! :)

Family Update: Spring 2013 (Finally in from back order)

Spring means that we are almost to E's 2nd birthday.  Holy Cow.  Well, first things first.  Easter was a blast.  We went to Grandma's for an Easter egg hunt.  E really took to that, so we have actually had many Easter egg hunts.  In fact, we play with Easter eggs pretty much every Sunday at Grandma's.  

 E still loves playing outside, though I am admittedly relieved that he doesn't pick things up and eat them quite as much as he has done in the past.  These days he seems to like digging a lot more.  We're thinking about his birthday present being a sandbox.  What other ideas do you have for a two-year-old?

 E has his big kid bed set up (a crib with one side missing) for nap times.  It's funny how before he would crawl out of the crib or packnplay but with a rail he is suppose to climb over, he just calls for us to help him out.

We have recently decided that E is ready for chores.  Aside from picking up toys, he helps with the trash,  mail, and laundry.

 Did I mention that E loves the new family members?  He is usually pretty gentle with them.

Ender and Georgia

 This is what happens when you have 1:00 church.

What the Liver Wants, the Liver Gets

Since I have decided that I am not going to have HELLP syndrome, I have focused mainly on the dietary needs of my liver, red blood cells, and platelets.  My desire is to have each as strong as can be.  That way (at least in my mind- this is in no away medical advice) when my liver thinks, Hey, Blythe's pregnant! Time to go buck wild, and swell up to the size of a watermelon, it will be in peak condition.  I believe, as mentioned in my previous post, in a lot of mind of matter.  If you think all day about how you are going to get sick, you are probably going to get sick.  If you gear yourself up to be well, the power of positive thinking is strong.

I started by getting myself a notebook.  I love that school just started and I actually still find uses for marble bound notebooks.  *sigh*  I love school supplies.  Anywho, this notebook is the keeper of all things related to my second pregnancy.  I started with possibly my favorite thing in the world:  food.

I love food.  I would never quit eating if I did not have to.  As a pescetarian who likes to experiment with recipes, I am actually quite excited to have a challenge with what to eat a lot and what to avoid.  Does that make me a food nerd?  Whatever.  So I made a list of foods that make my liver (and yours, too!) happy.


Happy Liver Foods!
Garlic
Grapefruit
Beets
Leafy greens
Avocados
Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale)
Lemons
Turmeric (Safe only after the first trimester and only as a spice!!!)
Walnuts
Endive
Bittergourd   Not safe when paired with hemolysis
Fenugreek  Not safe for pregnancy
Carrots
Flaxseed  Not safe for pregnancy
Onions
Apples

While these are not the only foods I can consume, they should be the rockstars of my diet.  Each detoxifies or simply gives my liver a break.  After I made the list, I cross checked each of the foods with pregnancy safety and how they interact with hemolysis and low platelet issues, hence the modifications.  Of course one blanket need for each and every food is that it be organic.  I don't necessarily preach the organic need in everyday life (though I do think it is a healthier way to go), it is necessary if you're going for complete liver health.  If it is not organic, your liver has to filter all the yuck that is leached into the produce.  No good.  The next logical step was to research foods my liver wanted me to avoid.

Ew, Yuck, said your liver
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Fructose
Processed food
Artificial Additives
Coloring
Preservatives
Refined sugar and sweeteners
Margarine, shortening, or commercial oils
MSG
Alcohol

Clearly, these are all to be generally avoided in life, but when pampering your liver, these are waaayy gross and uncalled for.  My heart dropped when I read the repetitive discouragement from refined sugar because that is definitely my weakness.  Cake. Candy.  Muffins.  Ice Cream.  Do I really have to say no to these for the next nine months?  Yes and no.  I can eat sweets (within moderation- or total crazy binge) that I make myself with raw cane sugar or a natural sweetener like honey or agave.  That is an awesome thing because, really, who wants to eat plain grapefruit without a little sugar on top?  Not I, said the fly.

taken from http://drlauraimola.wordpress.com

The last thing I will write for this post is that warm lemon water is awesome.  If you drink a large glass of warm lemon water in the morning when you first wake up, it will help your liver push out all the toxins it filtered in your body the night before.  Think of it as running an empty dishwasher once in a while.

That's it for now.  Happy Pregnancy and Happy Liver!

I got a fever... and the only prescription... is more cowbell.

Or more protein, as the case may be.  Yes, protein is even more essential than normal for a preggo diet, and even harder for me to come by since I'm a pescetarian who can only have seafood two days a week.

So what's a gal to do?  Well, for me, it omelets, omelets, and more omelets.  Not only does this help with protein, it gives me a chance to throw in some liver super foods like onions, garlic, and spinach and other vegetables.  They never get boring because I can always swap up the ingredients.  Some people warn against eating too many eggs because of the cholesterol, but when you are a vegetarian, barring any genetic contribution, cholesterol is not something you have to worry about much.  If cholesterol is something that you need to be concerned with, exclude the yolks and make egg white omelets!

Where do you get your protein??

This was my first omelet....I missed the shape a bit, and I forgot to shred the cheese before hand.  It made not be very pretty, but let me tell you, it really hit the spot.

 This is the same as the omelet above, but I made it prettier.  I sauteed garlic, onions, and red peppers in some Earth Balance Vegan Butter and add some thyme.  Then I add to a two egg omelet and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Yum!

This omelet has mushrooms swapped out for the red peppers.  So yummy, but I should have added some fresh diced tomatoes on top.  I think the more color the better, personally.

To tide you over

While I have been blogging a ton lately, not much has been publish because most of the posts are time sensitive.  For example, we have been working on a home remodel, and I don't want to reveal beginning pictures until we're ready with completed pictures.

That being said, get excited because cool stuff is coming.  And now some cuteness to tide you over until the other blogs are published.

This is how I realized we were in so. much. trouble. this summer.  Watch out, parents, I can I reach the fridge.  

Riding the carousel at the zoo on our Mama-Ezra outing. 

This kid loves a hat.  Eating DQ with PopPop.

"I'm not getting into mischief, Mama, honest."

Where has the money gone?!

Yesterday I spent yesterday going grocery shopping.  Weird, you say, grocery shopping doesn't take me  an entire day to do.  Well, it might if you had to drive 35 minutes to get to the Farmer's Market and Whole Foods, just to drive home and finish your shopping at Bi Lo.  The Farmer's Market is actually a pretty cool place to spend a Saturday morning.  There are so many crafts to see and organic, locally farmed food that is cheaper than grocery stores.

I have to admit that I am grateful for a reason to swap over to a GMO-free, more organically inclined lifestyle.  It is something I have thought about for a while but could not justify the extra money.  I wish I could go on and on about how I feel amazing and have all this energy that I didn't before, but the truth is with New Baby (NB) on the way, everyday I feel pretty much the same:  exhausted, hungry, and nauseous.  However, the good news is this:  Intellectually, I know why planning out a natural, organic diet is best for me and NB.  First off, I know that I need to keep as many toxins out of my body as possible so that my liver does not have to filter them because I am trying to keep my liver in tip top condition (Hopefully this will make it really hard to succumb to HELLP syndrome).  Secondly, you, quite literally, are what you eat.

However, I'm sure you've been wondering when I am going to start posting about the expense of eating organic,  That starts now.  HOLY COW.  It is so stinking expensive.

The hard part is that eating organic is truly a worthwhile venture.  The difference in my life due to eating organic food and/or food that does not have GMOs, artificial ingredients, or food coloring is unmistakable.  I have more energy and fewer routine illnesses.  I can count the number of headaches I have in a year on one hand.  My ADD is reined in.  My skin color even looks healthier.  Those are descriptions of my life personally.  Eating organic is also good for the environment and keeps all kinds of cancer causing toxins out of your body.

So how am I supposed to balance organic consumption with a pocketbook that is now going to be looking out for four human beings??

While there doesn't seem to be any such thing as bargain shopping at Earth Fare, I have come up with somewhat of a middle ground.  Below I have listed both the "Dirty Dozen" (which is actually 14 at this point) and the "Clean Fifteen."  As you might guess the "Dirty Dozen" is a list of foods that if you don't buy anything else organic, you should these, either due to the nature of the food or the accepted process of growing the conventional variety of these particular foods.  The "Clean Fifteen" are foods that are considered to be generally as good conventionally as they are organically, and my pocketbook approves of the conventional prices.

Dirty Dozen

• Apples
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Celery
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Nectarines
• Cucumbers
• Potatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Hot Peppers
• Summer Squash
• Leafy Greens

Clean Fifteen

• Onion
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple 
• Avocado
• Cabbage
• Sweet Peas
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Kiwifruit
• Cantaloupe
• Sweet Potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Watermelons
• Mushrooms

Technically not in the "Clean Fifteen" but still fine to buy conventionally

• Smelly produce like garlic and shallots (thought shallots count as onions, don't they?)
• Cruciferous veggies (pests are warded off by the sulfurous smell)

The bad news is that with my liver healthy diet, I am supposed to eat a lot of berries and fruit on the dirty list.  I try to think about it in the way that if I would eat the skin of the fruit, it's generally a good idea to buy is organic.  That being said, of the clean food, onions, avocados, and grapefruit were on my list of liver super food.  So...whoop! whoop!  There's definitely some workability.  I think the skill is going to come in budgeting our meals by balancing the organic with conventional.  

What are your money saving tricks for your natural/ organic life style?

Oh, the Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends

This won't be posted until I announce that I am pregnant, but I think I need to blog about it anyway.  I was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome during my first and only prior pregnancy.

H (hemolysis)
EL (elevated liver enzymes)
LP (low platelets)

For more information and specifics about HELLP syndrome, click here, but the short version is that if Preeclampsia were little league baseball, HELLP is a similar World Series winning variety of pregnancy induce disease.
I was not treated as a HELLP patient until many weeks after it reared its ugly head.  The honest truth was that the doctors and nurses prepared my family for the possibility that only my baby would be leaving the hospital with my family.  The short and least dramatic version of this story is that after a week of hospital, I did get better, and I left the hospital, healthy baby and healthy me.

taken from www.physio-pedia.com

Fast forward to now.  I am almost 5 weeks pregnant.  I have wanted this for a long, long time.  I have prayed for this.  I have longed for this.  And now that I am pregnant, I am scared.  I am scared because fate in was in my favor for my last encounter with HELLP syndrome.  The more research I do, the more I wish I would stop.  I seeing things like way premature birth, extended hospitalization towards the end of pregnancy, and fatalities.  Awesome.  Because what a pregnant woman really needs is cause to worry.  Because pregnant women surely do not worry about anything else while pregnant.

All sarcasm aside, I need a plan.  I am of the opinion that in many situations, mind is way over matter.  I need a positive attitude.  This is going to be okay.  I am also of the opinion that natural, preventative is best, but I am grateful for medical science when the need arises.  In the world today it seems like natural medicine and medical science are always at odds with one another (To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, to have Pitocin or let your body create Oxytocin), but I believe the farmer and the cowman can be friends.  I believe I need both to ensure a healthy and long baked pregnancy.

It turns out, much to my dismay, I might need a specialist OBGYN.  And that sucks.  I love midwives.  I love the low key, this-is-what-your-body-was-made-for attitude of midwives.  They don't push Pitocin simply because they are tired of waiting for you to deliver.  They listen.  They believe you deliver your baby while they catch the baby.  Doctors seem to be the complete opposite.  Check out The Business of Being Born.  This documentary changed my view of birth forever.  I am dreading going to an actual OBGYN, but it seems that my prior experience with HELLP leaves me with little choice.  However, that does not mean that I will develop HELLP this go round.  It means I have between 1 in 5 and 1 in 4 chance of developing HELLP again this pregnancy.  So, here's my plan:  natural and preventative health so that I do not develop HELLP syndrome again and a specialist OBGYN if I do.  I am going to keep a log of my HELLP-free journey because there is a serious need for one.  Looking forward to your support and encouragement!

Something Good from Macklemore

"Whatever God you believe in, we come from the same one."

Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines About Feminism

A note of caution:  Due to the subject matter of this post, you may want to read this when literate children are out of the room.  Goodness knows I would not want my kiddo hearing this on the radio, let alone seeing it in print.  

I think my head just exploded...  or imploded.  Either way, I am dumbstruck by what I have just read.

I think we're all at least remotely aware of Billboard's #1 for five weeks running, Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell (If you're not, well, it's a blissful, blissful land in which you live- if you must research the song, the lyrics are here).  Personally, I have tried to ignore it because of how offensive and degrading it is towards women.  However, Mr. Thicke had a different take on his song:

"The idea was when we made this song, we had nothing but the most respect for women. I mean, I've been with the same woman since I was a teenager. For us, we were just trying to make a funny song and sometimes the lyrics can get misconstrued when you're just trying to put people on the dance floor and have a good time. We had no idea that it would stir this much controversy. We only had the best intentions."

"I think that's what great art does -- it's supposed to stir conversation, it's supposed to make us talk about what's important and what the relationships between men and women are," Thicke added. "If you listen to the lyrics, it says, 'That man is not your maker.' It's actually a feminist movement within itself. It's saying that women and men are equals as animals and as power. It doesn't matter if you're a good girl or a bad girl, you can still have a good time."

take from buzzfeed-popular.blogspot.com

Sure, Mr. Thicke, I can totally see how blowing smoke into the face of a clearly displeased woman
as you tell her she must want to "get nasty" is certainly empowering women (Please, if it isn't painstakingly obvious to you, this is the epitome of sarcasm).  So while I will not begin to tell anyone who she can allow into her feminist circles, let me walk you through why Mr. Blurred Lines is not welcome in mine.  Not. Ever.  

Let us break it down verse by verse.

First Verse:

OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby, it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
You don't need no papers
That man is not your maker

This is something that has long bothered me:  How is a lack of commitment in a sexual relationship liberating?  I can argue that birth control is liberating.  I can argue that not being tied down to one person when you are not ready is liberating.  I cannot, however, argue that a sexual relationship outside of marriage is liberating.  While sex with people outside a committed relationship may not be constraining-  I am certainly not saying I do not get the appeal, it seems like a marriage would be the most liberating sexual experience.  Check this out:  No STD worries in a monogamous, committed relationship.  No "Oh no, who is the Daddy?" issues when there is only one person in your life.  And on that note, should you realize your spouse is going to be a Daddy, well then, you have two people to be a family to that kid.  So....   I do not need to be liberated.  I am fine with my (marriage) papers.

Chorus:
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me

Rape culture, anyone?  This distinctly perpetuates the idea that women, all women want the proverbial "it."  She's a good girl, but I know she wants it.  Um, on the contrary, if she is acting like she doesn't want, read my font:
She doesn't want it;  back off.

Second Verse:
What do they make dreams for
When you got them jeans on
What do we need steam for
You the hottest b**** in this place
I feel so lucky
You wanna hug me
What rhymes with hug me?

Two things that do not make me feel respected or on equal footing with men is being called a b**** or using the f word (or in this case referring to the f word) when proposing sex.  This seems pretty self-explanatory to me, but maybe I should do a blog about those words and why those two in particular never sit well with me.

And by all means, look up the third verse by T.I., but seeing as how he's not proclaiming his feminism, and it's content is more explicit by far, I'm moving on without it.

The next thing that has me questioning Robin Thicke's push for gender equality is the music video (ahem, videos...) for this song.  The "clean" version has barely dressed women and nude models hidden carefully by the camera bouncing around while Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell look at them and smoke and drink, all fully dressed, I might add.  The unrated version is the same, but the models are all naked except for nude colored thongs.  The camera hides nothing.  Also the phallic symbols and attention drawn to the models mouths is out of control.  But the thing that truly takes the rape cake for me is the image of a small stop sign atop a woman's naked rear (Hint: if I link to a picture rather than stick it directly on the blog, it's probably disturbing).

On a blog I frequent, JamiLeigh, in her post How to be Totally Miserable Part 2 of 2 describes how our brains are like catfish (get ready, this is one cool analogy!):

"Catfish just eat anything they can scavenge off the bottom of wherever they live. They are not partial at all - rotting matter and fish bodies and trash - they eat it all. Your mind is just the same. It doesn't discriminate, it just takes it all in. If you watched someone sweep the floor and dump the junk they swept up on top of your spaghetti dinner for the evening, you probably wouldn't eat it! And if you did, you'd probably throw it up. Unfortunately our minds don't have an vomit reflex. So? We have to be so careful what we put in them!"

She then goes on to quote Elder Dallin H. Oaks who says, "Pornographic or erotic stories and pictures are worse than filthy or polluted food. The body has defenses to rid itself of unwholesome food. With a few fatal exceptions, bad food will only make you sick but do no permanent harm. In contrast, a person who feasts upon filthy stories or pornographic or erotic pictures and literature records them in this marvelous retrieval system we call a brain. The brain won’t vomit back filth. Once recorded, it will always remain subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind and drawing you away from the wholesome things in life.”  Again, if you want to visit her fabulous blog check it out here: A Bit Backward.

When he was asked about the implications it had towards women Robin Thicke answered, "Because all three of us are happily married with children, we were like 'We're the perfect guys to make fun of this.'  People say, 'Hey, do you think this is degrading to women?' I'm like, 'Of course it is. What a pleasure it is to degrade a woman. I've never gotten to do that before. I've always respected women.'"
....crickets.....  How does that make it okay?  This song/ video is not a film in which he's playing a character.  He's playing himself.  He actually wrote this.  Not to mention that being a sexist does not preclude you from getting married.

taken from CBSnews.com

My question is why is this song #1 for five  straight weeks?
On a ladies' outing with my mom and sister we got on the topic of Rolling Stone's portrayal of the Boston Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.  We discussed how the cover made him look very young and, quite frankly, very cool.  We shook our heads in turn and talked about what a disgraceful shame it is that Rolling Stone presented him (at least on the cover) like a rock star, that Rolling Stone just gave someone a role model.  Then, my sister informed us from her handy dandy smartphone that even with many stores refusing to stock the Boston Bomber issue, sales were the highest Rolling Stone had seen in a while.  Why is that our society is drawn to controversy like a moth to a flame
Even When We Know We Disagree Morally?
Shouldn't we have more control than that?  I think we should, and I think we do.

I think it boils down to personally responsibility.  You have the ability to not play a passive role in your life, and you do have the choice of what you consume.  Start by identifying what you stand for.  I cannot define that for you;  no one can except you.  What do you stand for?  What are your values?  First identify and then commit to them.  If you make the commitment now to turn the radio dial when degrading, sexist garbage comes on, you can avoid wishing your brain could vomit later.   And understand that this may be hard, especially if the garbage is packaged in a catchy tune or an amazing pair of blue eyes.  After all, if the swept up garbage atop your proverbial spaghetti were presented on fine china, you still wouldn't eat it, right?  Right?! You have a choice where your dollars go.  You have a choice what gets played and replayed in your mind.  Because even if Robin Thicke thinks his lyrics have been misconstrued, his message is as loud and clear as it is deplorable and pervasive.   

What Do You Want???

Five little speckled frogs, 

Sitting on a speckled log,

Eating the most delicious bugs- Yum! Yum!

One jumped into the pool

Where it was nice and cool.

Now there are four speckled frogs- Glub, glub.

For reasons including the picture and song above, I do not get around to posting as often as I used to or as often as I would like.  However, rest assured, I am still here and still have opinions!  

While watching and reading over some news a couple weeks ago, I started to think on the far reaching arms of the government.  It seems (at least to me;  hold your throwing tomatoes until the end) that the government is very involved in much of our lives.  I can't even keep up with all the ways the federal and state government seem to pop up in everything.  Then I started to think and wonder: what are the actual responsibilities of the government?  What is legit for the government to oversee and which affairs are ours to run as individuals?  More importantly to my views and opinions as far as politics and government go, what do I expect from my government (or rephrased, what, in my opinion, should the government of the United States of America be responsible for doing)?  

It was a hard question because it seems like everything that came to my mind was accompanied by uncertainty that it truly belonged in the governments hands.  So, I widened my polling from me to pretty much everyone with who I came in contact.  I got several similar answers:

1. The top response I received was protection or a military.  That makes sense.  
2. The second most common answer was to talk about reforming some piece of what we already have, for example how a bill gets passed.  While it made for some interesting conversation, it had little to do with what the responsibilities of the government actually should be/are.
3. The third most common answer was a lack of one, be it because of little interest, time constraints, or confusion.

Here's my conclusion:  It seems these days that we are all a little grumpy with the government.  We'd all like to imagine we'd do a better job and make it to dinner on time each night.  However, how can we do it better make a difference in our government if we are uncertain of our own expectations for it?  I think we could all benefit a bit from thinking about our expectations in concise points.  Here are five I have been working on:

1. Protection (both foreign and domestic)
2. Banks/ Money printing
3. Education (as a springboard more than a militant governance)  
4. Emergency aid for disasters
5. Creating and maintaining roads

Now, these are only five;  I'm sure there are important ones I've not taken into consideration.  This list does serve as a starting ground for my wants.  It has also helped me to realize for what I actually don't think the government should be responsible.  

What do think?  What do you want of your government?

Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause

Summer has been very busy.  It seems like I always feel that way, but our summer has been and will continue to be super jam packed.  This is probably my fault because I love having something to do.  I get antsy when there is something to pour myself into.  J and I joke about how if he leaves me alone for too long, he'll come home to new walls in our home and old walls torn down (when I say we joke about it, what I really mean is we laugh about the times that has actually happened).  In the Doctrine and Covenants  it tells us:

Verily I say, [you] should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, 

and do many things of [your] own free will, 

and bring to pass much righteousness.*

This is my favorite scripture and one that I hope to impress its importance to my progeny.  Believe in something enough to take action.  Be passionate an educated about your ideals.

For a while my good cause has been feminism and causes surrounding political equality for all.  I am truly excited with much of the happenings lately politically.  While there are a few causes that I feel particularly strong about (Ahem, cough, Planned Parenthood, cough), I think taking a break from high involvement in macro level politics is going to be good for me.  So.  Is it time to tear down some more walls?

I'm thinking not.  While we were visiting Utah a little while back, two happenings led me in a new direction. The first was reading a book called Living Green: a practical guide to simple sustainability by Greg Horn.  As you could probably take surmise from the title, it's a book about living our daily lives in a more Earth-friendly fashion.  Here's my mini-book-review:

If you can get past the fact that Horn has an issue with definitely presenting his argument and a total disregard for the oxford comma, it is a pretty handy resource.  The book is divided into three parts:  health, home, and future.  This is particularly convenient because you don't necessarily have to sit down and read the whole book.  A lot of times with my household crazy, I skim books like this rather than dedicate the three months it would actually take me to accumulate enough time to read it.  Within each chapter there are grey boxes that list WHAT YOU CAN DO, and then lists four to eight steps you can take to move in a greener direction.  The chapter goes on to describe in detail the steps, give examples, and also to suggest how to break these steps down into bite size pieces that you and your family can handle.  I know that, personally, changes in my life are more likely to stick around if I implement them if a slow and rational fashion (Think Cam's crash diet in Modern Family).

The second happening was a text message that read:  Do you want to do a triathlon with me?

What does it all mean?  It means I found found my next cause.  It may sound extreme- it does to me anyway-but I have really been thinking about preparation.  When I think about the commandments and wise suggestions from the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles I realize that every advice and direction given is in preparation for something more.  A few examples, you ask?

1. Do not steal:  Preparing a person to be honorable for others to trust.  When you trust those with whom you work, more is accomplished to a higher standard.  Everyone benefits.
2. Don't cheat on your spouse:  Preparation to have strong family unit for protection and happiness.  Preparation of loyalty so one doesn't have to choose in the moment to who she should be loyal.  
3. Take care of your body (or the Word of Wisdom):  Preparation for your body to be healthy enough and strong enough to take on whatever the Lord requires of you as we go through out our journey.  

My new cause is... drum roll, please...  taking care of our environment and our bodies.  I am really worried that by the time my kiddo has babies, the world is going to be a grim place by how previous generations have taken care of it.  We have started recycling and trying to make all of our household products all natural if not organic.  It can make a difference not only for the environment but in how the members of the household feel.  As far as caring for my personal body, I am really paying attention to what I put in it.  I am never (read: NEVER) in favor of dieting plans**, but if I were, I think I would like Weight Watchers because from what I have heard, it teaches not how to starve yourself, but rather how to make sensible choices.  And that, my friends, is what health is about:  Making choices for your body both nutritionally and physically.  My personal goals for health are to finish two triathlons before October.  I'll be sure to tell ya'll how I do.  

What is your cause today?

*Please note that I am consciously ignoring President Dalton's ideas on this particular topic.  I think she was a wonderful Young Women's president, but that her thoughts on action for rights were a little skewed towards the end.

**This is not because I am adverse to watching your weight, but I think any plan, no matter how efficient or healthy or reliable it is, that places its focus first on weight-loss and second on real health is a terrible idea.  And a terrible plan.  And yes, my idea of real health is demanding and stringent.  

Yeah, this just happened....

...and since I have no Facebook to share the cuteness taking place in my house, I have to share it here.

And yes, the vacuum is actually on and running.  

I am Proud to be a Mormon Woman

Lately, there has been a lot of noise surrounding women in the LDS church, and it hasn't been great noise.  It's no secret that feminists are often under condemning judgment for one reason or another, and I think I have written an abundance on why Mormons need feminism and how the culture makes me shake my head at times.

Today, I want to talk about why I am proud to be a Mormon woman.
(An aside:  Because this is the internet, I feel I should qualify that I know that these are not only characteristic of Mormon women and not all Mormon women fit these characteristics, nor does any one woman have all of these qualities.  I am certainly not, but I aspire to be.  However, I have seen more of these characteristics in higher concentrations since I have been surrounded by Mormon women.)

1. Mormon women love to learn.  I say this both in a formal sense and in an everyday practical sense.  When I first joined this patriarchal church, I got the feeling that all the barefoot and pregnant women were letting go of furthering college to have babies and keep home.  That is far from the truth.  At the time I was in the Young Women's Presidency, every single leader had at least a Bachelor's degree.  I have one friend who told me she gave birth to her daughter and then took a final exam within a couple weeks.  Hard core.
   But even more than formal education, these women love to learn to do anything, particularly if it will add to their ability to care for their family.  Whether it has to do with nutrition (such as gardening and food preparation) or keeping the house standing (such as plumbing and general maintenance) or being self-sufficient (such as making soap and knitting clothing), Mormon women want to know as much as they can.  Then, they turn around and have Relief Society gatherings to teach all the other women how to do it.  It is a whole world of learning!
2. Mormon women are go getters.  I have noticed that among my SAHM circle (which is all Mo women since I don't really have another social outlet currently), no one waits for anyone to go first.  If someone want to be a member of a produce co-op, they start a produce co-op.  The same goes for Joy School and Playgroup.  Our stake's mission slogan was:
   
   I do hard things.
   I do hard things first, 
   And I am the first to do hard things.  
   
   
   Most of the women I know have really taken this to heart.  I think this could also be see as taking personal responsibility.  I once explained the concept known as diffusion of responsibility (bone up on your diffusion of responsibility here) to a friend of mine.  Upon my explanation of Kitty Genovese and the Bystander Effect, she looked horrified and replied, "But who would do that?"  The answer is so many people, but Mormon women seem to take it upon themselves to be the responsible party which ends up meaning things get accomplished.  
3. Mormon women generally have a least one awesome recipe up their sleeve.  It's true.  Especially in the case of bread.  Another cool thing is that they create a sense of community by passing bread starter from friend to friend like in the case of Amish Friendship Bread, which leads me to another cool point: Mormon women like to share.
4. Mormon women don't waste.  I think the fact that Mormon women like to share is an expansion on this fact.  I have heard the phrase "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without," but I believe Mormon women would add upon that with "and then give it to a friend."  I love recycling clothes and household goods (Okay, I love recycling in general) because it means less junk for the Earth.  I don't know if it's a money thing or a love the Earth thing or love your friends thing, but Mormon women swap goods like it's nobody's business.  In fact, they even organize swaps in which you can drop off stuff during a particular week and then pick up anything there that you fancy.
   Along the same lines, in the produce co-op I am a part of, we get a lot of oranges, which is awesome because who doesn't love oranges?  Here I am making my orange juice and throwing peels away when one sister posts on the Co-op board something along the lines of, "We don't have to throw away our orange peels anymore;  I found something to do with them!!"  (Find out what it was here.)  Silly me thinking those orange peels were meant for the trash....
5. Mormon women know that having a bunch of little kids running around is chaotic.  And they are okay with that.  J and I had dinner the other day with another family who have two kiddos who sandwich E in age.  Throughout dinner and visiting, our kids all ran around like there was no tomorrow.  The house chaotic and loud and messy.  And no one cared.  Of course the stress of kids is lessened by the culture of Mormon life being centered around families (and big ones at that).   
6. Mormon women focus on the good stuff and press forward through the bad.  Particularly women who have been through horrendous happenings, I constantly see them reaching out to other people and focusing on what they are on Earth to do.  This makes them pretty happy and uplifting people.

In conclusion, you ladies rock!