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

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! :)

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.

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!

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.  

Fighting Cancer with a Healthy Mind

Guest poster,
Melanie Bowen

Melanie Bowen: I joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2011 as an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. You will often find me highlighting the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. I also assist in social media outreach in my efforts to spread awareness.

One area of health that is often overlooked and underestimated is that of our mental health. If you're facing cancer, your mental and emotional well-being can not only effect the path of your therapy, but literally guide you to the path to complete healing. Psychotherapy can be an extremely valuable asset in your survival or state of being as you go through your battle.

Some shrug these ideas off as superstition or nonsense. Statistics, however, say otherwise. There is much evidence that those who allow themselves to undergo some form of psychotherapy during their cancer treatment come out ahead of those who do not.

Cancer, no matter a non-aggressive strain or a fast moving type like mesothelioma, is a life altering and shattering experience. It's common and easy for an individual to slip in a mindset of believing that they are the only one in the world going through this situation.

This isn't the case. There are many programs available these days that can shed genuine light and breathe life and hope into the experience. One good example is that of Penn Universities "Authentic Happiness" program. Using honesty and kindness they help individuals come to peace and reality with their situation.

Most programs like this tailor their treatment to the needs of the individual, leaving no stone unturned to unlock a healing mind. You see; our minds are the healing centers of the body.

If a person has lost hope and given up, there's very little that any physiological treatment can do to help them that will not be eventually thwarted by their mind. A doubting mind will sabotage the healing efforts of the body.

Through psychotherapy many have found that they have been able to sync up the healing power of both the mind and the body and find great vision for further life. Instead of despairing for the present, they learn to look to the future with hope and determination.

Few people when faced with the formidable foe of cancer have, within themselves and by themselves, the capability of giving themselves hope. They need support. The support of dedicated friends and family is critical to survival. But what can take the healing process above and beyond is that of trained professionals to augment and guide to well-being.

Each person has within them the ability to aid in their own growth and healing. Despair does not need to be embraced and given into. There is more to life with cancer than the mere struggle to survive. With help, you can see beyond the pain into the life around that awaits you.

So, what are you waiting for? Go talk to someone who not only cares but knows how to help and can give you clinical advice on ways to relieve your stress. Whether your mind is bogged down from thoughts about your breast cancer treatment or maybe the strain from your mesothelioma diagnosis, go see a therapist and start bringing yourself the peace of mind it deserves!

Also check out Melanie Bowen at http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/melanie/

More Juicing

Beautiful Produce

It's now time for the second round of the Produce Co-op, and I am really excited!  Last time I worried about what I would use all the produce for, but it's actually been really cool.  I look up recipes that include a particular ingredient and then adjust the recipe for our eating needs (simple things like meatless crumble, brown rice flour, and vegetable broth substitutes).  It's been fun finding new ones to add to our repertoire.   

Homemade Apple Juice

 I have been trying to break my addiction to processed sugar, so  instead I have been allowing myself to have as much freshly made juice as my body wants.  It helps to curb  my craving for, oh, I don't know, an entire canister of frosting.  It's also nice to be able to have fresh juice for the baby.  When I think of the good things being done for both our bodies (with no added sugar), it's truly rewarding.    Baby and I have been juicing all kinds of things, some as simple as apple juice, some as complicated as the Mean Green.

On to some recipes....

Hidden Veggie
1 large apple
3 large Carrots (green cut off)
Half a skinned pineapple
1/4 inch ginger

Ice Cream Juice (Because that's what Hubby says it tastes like)
1/4 Cantaloupe
6 Strawberries


OCC

1/4 Cantaloupe

1 orange 

Dash of Cinnamon

This is a great way to start the day with a burst of vitamin C.  It's great even if you're not that into citrus (like me and Baby) because the cinnamon cuts the citrus so much.  I had no idea it would do that!

"Hey, Mom, I'm out of juice!"

Juice Recipe (a new direction for the moment)

I have become tired lately of political posts.  I am getting my fill of understanding from The Book of Mormon Girl by Joanna Brooks that I strongly recommend everyone checking out, particularly if you've ever experienced a faith crisis.  Anywho, more on that later.

My sister came into town a while back.  With her she brought a tornado of healthy cooking and crazy good food.  To check out her cookbook (lots of gluten-free and super healthy recipes) click here.

I have been inspired.  I've decided to post some of my recipes for various things on this blog as well (I hope you weren't just here for my feminist blogging!).  I'm not a stickler for gluten free, but thanks to Sister's influence, I will have some gluten free items here.  Mostly I will be focusing on a pescatarian eating because I am a pescatarian.   Interesting enough, if you ask my husband what worried him most about marrying me he will tell you it was my lack of eating ground animals.  He will also very fervently tell you it has been no problem at all.  We have a very upfront and honest conversation about new meals before deciding whether to add them to our repertoire-  I think that's super important.

This week was the first week of a produce co-op I joined.  We had lots of produce, so I pulled out the juicer and started looking for recipes.  This has been one of the best thus far:

The Mean Green (serves 3-4)

14 Strawberries
1 inch of ginger
1 cucumber
4 handfuls of spinach
3 apples (without cores)
1/2 lime

The ginger gives it a good kick, so if you're not much for spice, adjust that accordingly.  This will be prettier when it hasn't been mixed up:  red with green.  However, it is yummier mixed all together, but beware, it will be an interesting color of green.  Enjoy!

Energy of Health

I have really been lagging lately.  Even getting eight hours of sleep a night, I seem to always be exhausted.   The first question I always seem to get, as a pescatarian is this:  are you getting enough protein?  Absolutely.  I eat so much protein, I could be a friggin' heavy weight champion (they eat a lot of protein, right?).  Eggs in the morning, soy hot dogs for lunch, and generally some sort of fish or soy product is the main event of dinner.  So why am I so exhausted all the time?  I decided to get a better idea of what I needed, I should consult my three natural health gurus: C, B, and E.  Between the three, these are the instructions I have been given, taking into consideration I am a pescatarian, nursing, O negative, 25 year-old female.

1. Cut down on the protein and focus on more, more, more vegetables, preferably whole.  V8 can help, but it shouldn't be my main vegetable source (This made me sad.  V8 and I are buddies when no other veggies are to be found).
2. Cut out the processed carbohydrates.  Again, super sad.  
3. Get an iron supplement but not too much, and in my case, make sure it is vegetarian.  I chose Nature Made.  
4. Take a multivitamin.  This is because I am nursing.  Baby takes what he needs, and I get the left overs.  Ergo, I have to make sure the left overs have enough nutrients for me.  
5. Get a B12 supplement.  Apparently this is the only nutrient that I cannot get anywhere except an animal, thus I am probably in pretty low supply.  It was explained to me that this is like the body's healthy version of caffeine.  

So.  While it seems there are some definite changes about to take place in my diet and pill intake, there is an upside:  I began this regiment a couple days ago, and I already am feeling results.  Imagine.  If I can tell a difference in my body, in particular my energy level in just two days, IMAGINE what a long term commitment to healthier eating and vitamin maintenance could mean.  

How do you maintain yourself?