My First Published Article & I Turned 30!!

Okay, so as I mentioned a few weeks back, I am being published in a local mag.  Urban Infant to be exact.  So, I figure why not put it on here.  Here is a link to the article, page 11.  Urban Infant Winter 2012  Let me know what you think.

Now on to a little more fun stuff!

Jan 8th, I turned 30!  I was anxious and excited all at the same time for this.  I am not good with my birthdays. 

I was a young mother, and enjoyed very much being a young mother, after I had come to grips with it.  Being a young mother is difficult.  Actually, let me  rephrase, it is different.  My oldest arrived 3 weeks after my 16th birthday.  I had a lot to overcome, to "prove" that I was a good and competent mother.  There are struggles with being a young parent that, when you are 25 you never need to think of.

However, when you are 25, you also have challenges.  You are still coming to terms with your body, your self worth in society, and within yourself.  Many people at 25 are only starting a family, just figuring out where life is taking them, just finding a compatible mate!

For me, today, I am excited!  I honestly, woke up on my birthday, feeling wonderful.  I am so excited to be in an age and country where I can do anything, and I am at an age where I really feel that I can do everything. 

My placenta business is doing fabulous.  I am overwhelmed with all the positive feedback that I have gotten from clients.  And, more over, something the people who contact me don't realize, is that from each placenta I do, I feel honoured. 

I am confident.  I am confident to know that it is OK for me to make mistakes, to own my limitations.  I am confident to know that when I make mistakes, I will learn by them.  I am confident in my mothering "skills", even though I don't always know what I am doing.....  I think most importantly, I am confident, that life will always be alright.

Body Image

Well, I guess, I'm in a funny mood today.  Or, rather over the last while.  I haven't had one good thought to stream out of my head in a coherent fashion.  So, I haven't posted in a while.  Today, however, I feel a little inspired, thanks to my Wii Fit. 

I try everyday to hop on the thing.  Just to see how well I am doing.  Or not doing.  I hate it.  I hate getting on it, it telling me to stay still, it analysing me, and how I get so disappointed when it tells me I've gained 2oz and then asks me to explain why I've gained 2 damn oz.  Probably cause I ate too many fricken cookies, or didn't eat enough fiber to combat the cookies.  And all for what?  Why do I really care what it says?

Probably, because, over the years I've had too many assholes (read: media, family, friends, exes.....) in my life convincing me that my weight will make me a good, happy, beautiful person.

I have 4 children, three of which are girls.  How do I show them that I am a good, strong, intelligent women, when what I show them revolves around how big my thighs look in yoga pants.  First off, no one looks good in yoga pants.  Sorry, no one.  I really don't care if you can run a marathon, and have been training your entire life, yoga pants leave nothing to the imagination, and should be worn around the house only.  I'm sure, some look better than others in yoga pants, but it should not be considered dress up attire.  Never the less, what is it that I teach my girls?  I believe that I try and teach them to live a healthy life, that they are smart, and beautiful for what ever they are.  But, how stupid is that when my focus, for so many years of my life, has been to be skinny.

Not many people know, but when my husband met me almost 12 years ago, I was very small, like gross small.  I was bulimic, actually.  And, still, I remember way back when, that I would look in the mirror, and see fat.  I look at those pics now, and see a sick little girl.  I was only 18.  If, I hadn't met my husband way back then, I don't know if I would have ever gotten over it.  He loved me, for whatever reason, for whatever way I was.  And, has since seen me through many a pant size, without complaint.

I have realized over the last year though, that my body, is perfect.  I still like to exercise, and I would love to tone up a bit, but otherwise, I am what I am meant to be.  I want to be strong enough to play with my kids.  Which, in all honesty is more about gaining marathon like endurance.

I am not a swimmer, and do not like swim suits.  However, I must brag a little, I bought one this summer, AND wore it to the beach!!  My kids were so excited to have me by the water with them.  It was something I totally took for granted, and never realised how much I had missed.  It was always Daddy with them, I usually just hung out on the sidelines.  I completely forgot about trying to suck in!  I enjoyed my children.  My hubby later told me he was proud that I had come out with them.  He said "the kids really loved having you play today.  They don't ever look at you and think fat, they look at you and think "Mommy"".  And, that was so right.  Your children will never look at you in a negative way, until you start to ingrain in them negative thoughts.

I feel, like, we should be teaching our children more about being a considerate person to others, and less about what the new spring fashion is going to be.  My girls love to play dress up, and they love to have their nails painted, but that's fine, I think.  They understand that you can live life without it.  And, it's not just about teaching our daughters to love themselves.  It's about teaching our sons to be respectful, and to love how they are too.  I am hoping my boy grows up to be a man much like his father. 

I will still get on the Wii.  But, I don't put as much faith in as I used too.  I have never really been over weight, as with most women who put undue stress on themselves.  I have no idea what it is like to be to an unhealthy point.  With kids though, we should all try and lead by example.  We don't need to be on the cover of a magazine to be a good role model. 

Excited!!!

Okay, so this past week, I got a call from a local pregnancy to toddler hood magazine.  I got a call to do a short article on placenta and it's benefits and on all the blessings that come with working with them.  I am so excited!!

My dilemma, it has to be done and submitted by December 2.  And it has to be kept under 600 words.  Which, is not too bad, but I have no idea how to fit all of the joys, and benefits, beauty, and love into it!  Aaaggghhhhhhhhh!

I haven't started yet, I don't know where to start.  I am just so excited that I will be published on something I love.  I love to write anyways, and often enough I do so out of the need to put my thoughts into sentences.  The problem with my sentences is that, I'm sure, they don't always make sense to the general populous.   I want to make sure that this article makes a statement that other people are interested and educated from it.

Well, I suppose, if I am to accomplish my goal, I should get started.  If anyone has any ideas on what they want to really know, please let me know!!

Please enjoy the recent placenta prints  :)

Simple Things

The truth of the matter is nothing starts off simple.  The day your mom holds you in her arms for the first time, the day you start 1st grade, the day you meet your love, the twilight bliss of having your own baby snuggle to your breast, nothing, is simple.  The art of life, is to make it work, simply for you.  I will admit, I haven't entirely figured that out yet.  However, I am gaining speed in that direction. 

I think about all the mildstones I have passed, failed & even just snuck through, and even if, at the time, I wasn't proud of what I had done, I can look back now and be.  I know I haven't always led a normal path, but who wants to do that.  I think, along with everything I have done "wrong", I have done a thousand things right.  And, I'm sure I'm not the first to pass this bridge of clarity.  I'm sure other people see the crystal in the shatters of paths failed and bumpy roads walked.  I'm trying to get to a point here, so please, bare with me.

I am 29.  I have been a mother for longer then seems right, but I made that decision, and walked it through.  The simple part, is obviously, now I can look back and see that I didn't ruin anyones life by owning up to my right.  I have held many jobs, wanted many careers, and have finally, somewhat settled into understanding that we all have a purpose.  And, I am now only seeing, that the only person I need to please is myself.  Funny 'eh. 

My goal, is to focus on raising happy, well-adjusted, un normal children, as there are too many normal people in the world.  After all that is complete I think I'll have found peace.  The tricky part will be getting there.

The point I am trying to make, I think, is that we never really need to hate ourselves for taking a trail instead of a jet.  I still don't always know exactly what I am doing from day to day, but I am listening more to my inner voice, and following my instincts.  That, has made my life simpler.  Enjoying the sunsets with my husband, colouring with my children, singing loudly to teen music with my daughter. 

Take comfort in the simple things.

Fall Joys with a Little Baking

I got up this morning with renewed energy.  Fall is almost gone, the smell of snow is in the air, but I'm pretty excited.  The last couple days I've been feeling pretty sluggish.  Growing accustomed to the darkness in the morning, and the darkness settling in sooner in the evening really drags me down.  I think for people who have ever suffered some form of depression, this could be the worst time of year.  I have been through the depression hell spiral a couple times.  And, I hate it any day that I seem less perky, because I am always afraid that it's gonna be the day my world falls apart.  I guess, though, I've been looking at life a little more optimistically the last while.  I believe that because I have been through it, I know what to look for, and I steer clear of the triggers, as best I can.  And I'm actually so very much enjoying the colours change in the trees, and the excitement of the kids for Halloween.  I find Fall such a transitional time, and with every transition, comes new and interesting opportunity.

My beautiful kids in the leaves.

I've been baking a ton lately, and I have found a new joy in it.  I've never been one to cook, well, other then the necessity of having to eat, and feed my family.  My husband is the cook, or chef, of the family.  He can create fabulous gourmet dinners out of anything.  But he isn't home right now.  So, I google stuff to try, and to my amazement, it turns out edible.  Well, to my kids it is, and they are the toughest of critics!!  I've created a pumpkin muffin recipe that I just have to share! 

Longridge Choc Chip Pumpkin Muffins
Makes approx 4 dozen

Ingredients:
4 cups flour
3/4 cup wheat germ
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp allspice
6 eggs
2 tbsp honey
1 lg (29oz) can pumpkin
1 cup applesauce
1 cup choc chips (or raisins, nuts . . .)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease or line muffin tray.
In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients: flour, wheat germ, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon & allspice. 
In a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients: eggs, honey, pumpkin, applesauce, until smooth.
Add wet mixture to dry ingredients, stir thoroughly to make a smooth batter.  Stir in choc chips (raisins, nuts).
Spoon into muffin cups, about half full.  To make larger muffins spoon in a little more.
Bake for 30 - 35 mins or until toothpick poked into center comes out clean.

Voila!  They are pretty hearty, and not too un healthy, and without nuts, safe to send to school.  The choc chips makes it a little more appealing to children.  I make smaller muffins, I freeze them and pull them as needed for kids school snacks.

A couple pics of last nights batch with 2 dozen wrapped for freezing.

And for those of you interested, this was the original recipe Addictive Pumpkin Muffins.

My Thanks

After a long weekend, and a busy one, I am so very thankful to have such a wonderful husband.  We have been together almost 11 years, and time flies.  Being with the same person, for so long has never been boring to us.  He has always been a great support to me, and I have been his level head.  We have had so many things to be greatful for, and we have been blessed.

This is just a little story about his thoughtfulness.

I had been sick for about 2 friggin weeks, and my laundry pile had grown to epic proportions.  Or, if quoting my oldest, "it's an epic failure".  I had been washing all the clothes, but they hadn't made it to the dressers in ages, and were starting to take over my livingroom.  Shameful, I know.  My little ones didn't complain, they would get up in the morning, dive into the depths of the laundry ocean, and grab what they found to wear.  And of course, the dogs thought it was a great napping place as the sun would warm the sheets through the window.  I however, was getting pretty tired of seeing it evolve, as was my hubby.  This weekend, he folded and put away about 6 loads.  I'm so happy!  It means more then just the help, it means I get to start my week fresh.  Awesome!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  Dinner with family, great food, amazing people.  I had a placenta, and we got to enjoy the long weekend pretty calmly.

So, in short, I am thankful to my hubby.  He may never read this, but I want to let the rest of the world know, he is the best.

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