Placenta Truth

Okay, so I'm a little unnerved this morning.  I'm seeing more and more negative media regarding placenta encapsulation.  What I'm finding hard to swallow, is not that there is negative coverage, as that happens with anything, but that it seems all so one sided.  I thought, part of being involved in professional media coverage, was gathering facts from all sides.  Some of these stories are not that, they are trying to present the side that best suits them, or that best makes placenta encapsulation unworthy of notification.

I was first disturbed by this pleasant little article Don't forget to take your placenta pills.  This is actually what first got me thinking on how to better educate women/men/the world on the whats and whys of encapsulation.  I am not going to get into a fight with the author, there are many interesting comments already posted on her blog by many women on both sides of the fence.  But that is also the problem, why are we fighting each other?  Why, when something seems out of the norm, do people react negatively?  Why should anyone, judge, put down or shame something because they do not understand it fully.  I would also like to make a small point, that for any of us who do this, we are not getting rich.  I often  provide the service for free, for trade, or at a reduced rate, because not everyone can afford the standard rate.  We provide encapsulation service because we value the placenta and what it can offer new mothers.

I am a placenta encapsulator.  When I tell people that is what I do for a living, I get a crap load of different stares.  I get people who straight out say "that's gross, why would anyone do that".  I like these people, at least they gave me a reason to explain the whys and hows.  They are the people that walk away from the conversation knowing more.  Most people though look blankly, and discontinue the conversation.  Oh, and I have had a few that have out right laughed in my face.  These people just snap judged me, and what I do.  These people, who I'm sure are very intelligent, educated people, reacted in an extremely ignorant, rude fashion.  Not cool.  And, then,  believe it or not, more and more people are looking for information, and are excited about being able to ask me what I know, and what my clients are saying.

I am not going to force anyone to do anything, I am not going to try and change your mind, I feel though, that the best way to educate yourself, is to look at all sides.  This little "news" clip is infuriating!  http://www.albertaprimetime.com/  How can something be put on mainstream media that is only one sided?  How, because we let it.  We are pretty much content to sit, and let whoever, tell us whatever, and believe it.  But that is another topic for another time ;)

Placenta encapsulation is not a fad.  Acid wash jeans were a fad.  Tickle Me Elmo was a fad.  Placenta encapsulation, is a tradition, and has been used for hundreds of years Many Cultures Revere Placenta.  Calling it a trend, and a fad, put down the real value of what each mom and baby are given.  Some women choose to use it, others do not.  But do not put down that it has helped hundreds, even thousands of women and their families during the postpartum period.  There is research out there.  You just have to read it.  There is also alot of anecdotal evidence shared, and truthfully, why shouldn't we count that?  If you think your friends haircut looks great, you ask where she got it done.  If you want to find a good restaurant, you read a review, even choosing a doctor is based on what you hear.  So, if my best friend says nothing but good about taking her placenta, then why not look it up, and determine if it's my best option. 

A thousand years ago when someone was sick, they called to their local shaman, midwife, elder, healer...."doctor".  Most of these healers did not go to university, the learnt from previous healers, from nature, from life and experience.  The art of placenta encapsulation, tinctures, salves, all are along those lines, ancient healing wisdom that still hold strong in today's society.  There is a need for placenta, or we would not be having this conversation.  Today, we have midwives, naturopaths, homeopaths, doctors from all walks, and we use them.  We benefit from them.  And, we are all grateful for so many of modern medicines contributions.  But we still go back to our ancestral roots.  When you have a cold, do you not want a glass of OJ?  Do you not crave a bowl of chicken soup?  These are things that are culturally acceptable, and suggested by medical professionals for helping ease a cold.  Why not continue to use our past to better our present?  Learning how to use what we are given is part of evolution.

Please, feel free to comment, or ask me a question.  I am posting a few other links for review if you are interested.  Thanks!

PBi, based out of Nevada, US,  tons of info on the benefits of the placenta, list of many placenta encapsulation specialists,and continuously doing research!
International Placenta Encapsulation Network, UK based organization with references, information, encapsulation specialist, trainings.
A short video as to Why Placenta Encapsulation
A local Alberta Mom says eating placenta helps cure postpartum depression

Bored

Alright, so where do I begin.  I'm frickin bored!  I have spent most of my summer cleaning and organzing my home.  Much to the dismay of friends when they walk in and see the well loved house I call home.  I absolutly can not keep it all together all the time.  However, I truly now know where everything I need on a daily bases is for me to function at appropriate speeds. 

I'm home this evening with the appropriate amount of laundry to fold, the dishwasher continuously going and the just enough of a messy floor to know that I did wash it this morning.  I crack a beer, cause if I don't I think I may just do the cracking.  I am so bored!  Summer is almost over!  The kids are in bed, the air is freash, the sun is going down . . .  I don't wanna be stuck in the house anymore!

I think, maybe, I should be greatful that my kids have let me play good mother and housewife so well this summer.  I should be happy that I have so much stuff to take care of and clean up after. I am all of these things, just a little overwhelmed too.  I think really, I am just getting a little depressed that fall is in the air.  I love the colours, and vibrance of the reds and yellows, but oh, come on!!!  One more week of hot would be bloody beautiful too!

ugh, oh well, enough complaining.  I am going to sit on my deck and enjoy the sun lowering while sipping on a smooth cold one.

Social Media

So, my oldest daughter is on holidays.  She is away from me for 10 days.  My husband is working out of town.  I am so abandoned!  However, the house has a quiet to it that it normally never attains.  The laundry gets done regularly, the dishes are done when I want to be done, and the kids are playing with whatever they like.  I'm not minding the "single" parenting, I'm minding the lack of daily adult interaction.  I find myself drawn to facebook, hotmail, twitter and google. 

I really don't have any more time in the day to waste, so I googled stats on social media.  I came up with tons of sites on stats, crazy! 25 Social media stats This one was pretty easy to understand without having to read a ton.  Which works great, cause I want to waste time on here, just not too much.

I wonder though, why we can't interact with people on a more "social" level.  I remember less then 10 years ago, not everyone had a computer, and when people wanted to talk to someone long distance they sent a letter.  I remember not having a cell phone, and not minding not knowing what was going on with everyone else I have ever met.  I have 400 "friends" on facebook.  And to be truthful, I probably only really know half, and half of that half I would consider a friend. 

I walk to work, and as I pass people I see them twittering, facebooking, and texting.  I often smile as I pass by.  I learnt that from growing up in a small town.  But I am saddened by how many people go out of their way to not even nod back.  Some would sooner trip you, and video it for you tube, then comment about the weather. 

Oh well.  I am not saying there is anything wrong with being able to connect with thousands of people who have similar interests, I'd just like to see more common courtesy amongst my actual, fellow neighbours.

Well, have you ever gone to bed and thought with contentment, "I've had a very productive day", and fallen into a blissful slumber?  Only to awake to the worst in house apocalypse this side of the destruction of the dinosaurs?  I often feel there must be little gnomes or fairies.  Only the ones that inhabit my life are masters of chaos and destruction! 

I had a couple extra kids over last night, and of course there was a little more mess then norm.  I'm cool with that.  Kids deserve to have free run some days, play and explore.  When I got up this morning, I was sure I was transported to another dimension.  One with similar furniture and pets, but WTF!  My laundry pile has grown, all my cereal is eaten and I can't see the floor in my daughters room!  I swear, I got up as soon as the kids woke up!  What the hell went on while I was peacefully dreaming of cabana boys and mojitos.

Well, I guess, my lovely children were being very good hosts.  Our guests wanted a midnight snack.  They all decided that the best way to have a early a.m. picnic was to create a wilderness theme in the bedroom.  One with scattered stuffed bears and bed sheet tents.  Very good. 

All in all, it's not that bad.  Really . . . A mojito would be pretty sweet right about now.

Skills We Take For Granted

I took my three youngest children to the park tonight.  Mainly cause it rained all blessed day, and were cooped up, they were starting to grate my nerves.  They needed to run off the excess energy, and I needed some fresh air!
We were only there about 10 mins when my littlest one annouced "I have to PEEEEEEEEEE!"  Well, even though it's only a 2 minute walk to our house, I figured, "hey, there's forest behind us, why not pee in the bushes".  I had never thought to myself to "teach" our girls how to do this.  My son is forever whipping it out when he needs to go.  I guess I almost figured it was an inate skill that we all have.  I remember peeing behind boats, car doors, trees, sheds . . . when I would go on road trips with my family as a girl.  It was second nature.
So, Clo and I walk along the path, looking for a safe place to "quat" a pee.  To my amazment, she had no idea how to coopy down with her pants around her ankes.  She had kind of a drunken flamingo feel to her.  Wavin and tippin about.  So, I dropped my pants and showed her.  I'm sure if anyone had walked up that path then, I wouldn't be sitting here writing about it.  Probably getting a mug shot for indecent exsposure.  Anyways, I then held her hand, and her pants, and her bum off the ground.  She started, she giggled in delight as she watched her pee make a river down the trail.  As she stood up, and realized there was no cussiony soft tp to be rolled of the alders, I passed her some tissue I had in my pocket.  I figured we could wait for the lesson on what leaves can be used for, for another day.

I'm out of Babies

My third child just truned 6, and my youngest, just turned 4.  I also have an 8 year old, and a 13 year old, I really, truley, no longer have babies in my life full time now.  I haven't thought about it too much, time just goes by, and life just goes on.  But, sitting here this afternoon, as I listen to the little grown up conversations held by my children, I miss snuggling a baby to my breast.  The smell of a tiny baby, the wonderment in everything they do and see as they approach toddlerhood.  It tugs at the heart.

I am actually getting somewhat excited about this part in my life.  My husband and I have never been on a honeymoon.  We have been married almost 10 years!  Hell, we have never been away from our children for more than 2 days alone together.  I don't even know if we would know what to talk about if we had 72 hours alone.  We could get past the first 2 days.  Day 1: go to bed early, sleep til 10am, go for breakfast, go home, lay on couch and watch movies all day.  Day 2: sleep in til 10am, go get groceries together, go to a movie, quiet dinner in child free restaurant & enjoy calm conversation about how nice being alone is, go home, maybe, finally, have enough energy to "cuddle" before sleep.  Day 3: get up . . . . what do we do. 

Besides being at the stage of my life where I now have to oppurtunity to spend more quality time with my hubby, I also am able to focus more on my career.  I can get more work done during the day at home.  My day is not all consumed by diapers, diswashing, dirt removal and dog crap clean up.  I have no more diapers!  My oldest does dishes!  The kids know how to vaccuum!  And my son is a dog poo pro!

I think life maybe actually getting too easy.  Maybe that's why this afternoon I had time to sit and enjoy listening to my children.  Maybe.  I think, it's actually just a new chapter in my parental journey, and I am not sure if I am ready to start it just yet.  So I'll sit a little longer.

Placenta Works

Some shots of recent placenta prints I've done!

I find this so interesting.  The shape is there waiting to be explored.  All you need is time and paint!

I have not done many, but if anyone is interested, please feel free to ask!