Mama, Naturally

Ever since I went through my great weight loss (which I still need to blog about), I've been slowly and steadily cleaning up my act. Once I met and married Drew, it became  a lot easier to change the way we lived because he is so supportive of a natural, real lifestyle. We started with food and once we had children our awareness spread.

Sometimes I am really hard on myself and think that I don't do enough to promote natural living in my children. Then I realized that I do more that I did as a child as does Drew. So I thought I'd take a minute to look at what we DO and WHY it's so important.

The Kids

Miss Roo sleeping in a GroVia AIO.

• Cloth Diapers: Both girls have been mostly cloth diapered since birth. I say mostly because there have been times, travel, sickness, moving, when I just haven't been able to cloth diaper due to time, facilities, and sanity. The girls have been cloth diapered 95% of the time since they were born. Baby Boy will be as well. We cloth diaper not only to cut down on waste- more specifically HUMAN waste- in landfills, but to keep our children free of diaper rashes, harsh chemicals on their skin, and cleaner in clothes. I have never experienced a blow out in a cloth diaper. I don't have to slather my girls with ointment at every diaper change. I don't have to buy diapers every other week or once a month. I just do a load of diapers every 3 days.

Wooden eggs dyed for the girls' Easter baskets.

• More Natural Toys: I haven't found a way to completely escape plastic toys. The girls receive gifts from family and friends. They also have particular things that they gravitate towards- pirates and their ships, Minnie Mouse, farm animals. Each time we purge and donate I try to slip more and more of the plastic stuff into the bags. I try to make gifts for them at every holiday that are cloth or wooden. Our toy kitchen is stocked with felt and wooden food and their dishes are wooden or Green Toys. Our trains and their tracks are wooden as are our fantastic set of building blocks.

• Less Toxins: We don't use traditional bubble baths anymore. We use Dr. Bronner's baby wash for all our bathtub fun. We have wooden and metal toys in the tub. Our toothpastes have ingredients I can pronounce. Their supplements aren't filled with sugar. I get probioitics in them from foods. The juice they drink- with filtered water added - is just that -JUICE.

The Parents

• No 'Poo: I've wondered for years what exactly mainstream shampoo was doing to my hair and my scalp. I spent some time researching it and learned it is essentially detergent. I decided to come off of it. And then I got pregnant and my hormones went NUTS. Everything I had been able to predict about my hair and manage with baking soda and vinegar wash went out the window. I am not using and Aloe based shampoo which I finishing making this little boy. Drew is completely on the no 'Poo routine with baking soda maybe once a week and he's doing great.
• No Deodorant: We don't walk around stinking, we've just changed what we use. We were using Thai Deodorant Stones but I was still experiencing weird reactions to them. We then moved to alcohol while I did further research. After a few weeks, I switched to Milk of Magnesia. Plain 'Ole MOM. I have had no irritation, no sweating, no odor. I use a nickel size under each arm and let it dry before I dress. I spent around $2.50 on a bottle that will last us at least a year.
• No Chemical Skin Care: I used to use all kinds of mass marketed skin care systems. Any time I would miss them for more than a day, my skin would go haywire. I started looking into what some of the chemicals in those cleansers and moisturizers did. Some chemicals in well known skin care lines are used to tan leather. I was done. I now use natural soap and tea tree oil as a cleanser and an oil cleanse 2-3 times a week. 

The Family

Local, organic, from scratch chicken and chili stew.

• Food: We are on a real food diet now for 95% of our food. I say 95% because I am constantly learning and changing. We eat local, grass fed beef, lamb, pork, and chicken. We buy local and organic produce whenever we can. I try to shop the perimeter of the store- produce, meat, dairy, bakery - when at all possible. Some things I have not tried to make yet - bread, noodles, sprouted flour - but I do try to make things I always used to buy - diced tomatoes, sauces, soups. Processed foods are disappearing from our house and being replaced by homemade goods on a weekly basis.
• Laundry Detergent: I now make a powder detergent. It isn't chemical free, but it's low chemical, low suds. I use bar soap, borax, and washing powder in a 1:1 ratio. This item is one of those things that I plan to tweak to lower the chemicals even more, but for now this is far down as I've gotten the mixture. Fabric softeners have left our home as have dryer sheets. I do occasionally use the Lavender sachet's from Trader Joe's to lightly scent our clothes, towels, and sheets.
• Cleaning Products: I use On Guard cleaner from doTerra and Dr. Bronner's for most of our cleaning needs. Peppermint is my Bronner's of choice for general cleaning due to peppermint's antibacterial qualities illustrated in laboratory studies. I do use Clorox wipes when we are all sick in the bathrooms, but otherwise, mainstream cleaners are disappearing. For cutting grease, I use cleaners with a citrus base or make some heated lemon water to scrub through the gook. 

One of our vintage pans.

• Cast Iron: We are slowly acquiring and upgrading to traditional, antique cast iron and enameled modern cast iron. Have you ever noticed little pieces of your non-stick pan were missing? Guess where those went while you were cooking? Modern cast iron isn't as good as the vintage/antique stuff because it is simply cast -not hand turned or smoothed. Drew has become very versed in all things cast iron and has been getting us great pieces to cook with in traditional ways. He's my go to guy.
• Supplements: FCLO, multivitamins, Kombucha, probiotics, essential oils as medicines.

Moving Forward
There are countless additional changes I'd like to make in our home. I'd like our home to have less stuff in it and focus on all aspects of our family. I'd love to establish and maintain a better rhythm. I'd like to have a small garden to grow a few veggies and fruits seasonally. I'd also like to focus more time on my kids and ways to make their world a more inspirational, natural place to learn and evolve. 

As I look at 2013 spread out before me and all the changes it will bring, my only resolution is to be true to myself in my desire to Mama, naturally.


What is your biggest desire this year? Where are the biggest places you find yourself successfully Mama-ing naturally?

Sometimes, We Get Faith Right

The girls were very excited about Christmas this year - Miss Moo in particular. At the age of 3, all of the magic surrounding the holidays was buzzing in her head. Questions about Jesus and God, Santa Claus, and other holiday icons surfaced daily. I tried my best to explain that Santa would bring presents if she was good, but not to focus on it. I don't want to deprive my children of the experience of Santa in any way, but I also don't want to use it as the only reason for her to given generously and love unconditionally.

We used several tools to keep the true magic of Christmas alive. We read from The Jesus Storybook Bible. We played with our Little People Nativity. I invested some money in some fabulous books for bedtime. Among them were:

• Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
• God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergren
• Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer
• Song of the Stars:A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones
• Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell

We also talked about Jesus as much as we could. We talked about how he was a baby that grew up to love us all unconditionally. We talked about how God was his Daddy but Joseph was his daddy that lived with him. We talked about how he grew in his Mommy Mary's belly like her baby brother is growing in mine. And we talked about his birth.

We used all our nativities a lot. We talked about the people present in them and why they were there. We talked about why Jesus was born in a manger and why we celebrate Christmas when we do. I knew that some parts were sinking in where others might not be. She understood who the kings were but not really why they came or when. She understood that Jesus was God's son and that he was born on Christmas Day. But she didn't seen to understand why Christmas was such a celebration. Or so I thought.

One day were were wrapping presents for her cousins and she asked me if Jesus was coming for his birthday. I explained that he was always with us but that he would spend his birthday with God in Heaven. She wanted to know why we got presents if He didn't get any. I explained that we exchange gifts to remember his love for us and how we should all love one another. I told her it wasn't really about the presents that we received, but the love that we gave to all of those in our lives. I also told her that it was really a day about Him.

She thought for a moment and then said,

"Mommy, if we can't give Jesus a present, we need to bake him a cake. It's his birthday but he has a  party for all of us."

And so we did.

Recipe Collection: Real Food Christmas Morning Casserole - A New Morning Staple

My memories of the Christmases of my childhood all carry sights, sounds, and smells. I remember seeing the tree for the first time with all the gifts nestled beneath it. I remember the sound of carols playing softly in the background  amidst the ripping of paper as we opened gifts. I remember the smell of the coffee my parents brewed to cope with our early wake up call.

I also clearly remember the smell of Christmas Morning Casserole warming in the oven as we spent the last few minutes emptying our stockings and surveying our loot. I'm not entirely sure where the recipe came from or what year it started appearing on our table. I just remember it being delicious and paired with tomato juice.

This Christmas was the first that our family was home Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Being home afforded me the time to make the casserole with Real Food and have it rest overnight in the fridge for it to grace our table Christmas morning. Here's the modified recipe for the casserole that will now make more than a yearly appearance on our table.

Christmas Casserole

Preparation Time:
20 minutes hands on then refrigerate overnight

Cook Time:
30-50 minutes

Total Time: 
1 hour 10 minutes plus overnight set

Ingredients:
1.5 pounds local, ground breakfast sausage
6 free range eggs
2 cups raw/organic cream line or whole milk
2 (or more) cups freshly shredded whole milk cheddar cheese
1 TSP dry mustard
1 TSP Real Salt (or to taste)
2 slices sourdough (optional)

Cooking Instructions:
1. Brown the sausage in your pan until cooked throughout. -We've been transitioning to cast iron and it give the sausage a much more even cook than non stick pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat your 6 eggs. -This step is a GREAT one for little chefs to help with so they are involved. Miss Moo has even learned to softly tap the yolks with the whisk to break them before she begins to beat them.
3. Slowly whisk your milk into the beaten eggs.
4. Add your dry mustard and salt to egg mixture. Whisk again.
5. If using bread, cube the slices into bite size piece and line the bottom of your casserole dish. - I use a plain, white, oval souffle dish that has it's own lid. I used organic sourdough but am going to omit that next time so that we can cut our that grain and keep the meal mostly protein.
6. Grate your cheese. - 2 cups is a guideline. I started with that and did grate more before I decided there was enough. We love cheese.
7. Pour the egg mixture into the souffle dish and over the bread if you are using it.
8. Drain some of the grease from the cooked sausage so that the eggs aren't swimming in the grease but there is some for flavor and goodness.
9. Add the sausage and grease to the top of the egg mixture.
10. Sprinkle the cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
11. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Uncover the casserole and let it sit on the counter as your oven preheats.
3. Place the casserole in the oven for 35-50 minutes, depending on your oven and the depth of your dish.  - Mine took right at 50 minutes to set. You are looking for quiche type consistency. A cake tester inserted in the middle should be clean indicating that the casserole is done.

Serve this dish with some delicious yogurt parfaits - we used granola, strawberries, and a little bit of maple syrup.



My family LOVED this dish and happily ate it rewarmed the second day.

Roo enjoying her breakfast.

 I love that this dish is protein rich, full of real food, and gives me time in the morning to be with my children rather than baked eggs, bacon, and the usual breakfast fixin's.

A satisfied Moo.

What easy, real food breakfasts do you love? What traditions do you see moving to your regular rotation?

Forget Resolutions – Develop 5 Easy Habits – THIS MONTH! - MAH January 2013

Image by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton

Today’s Daily Tip: Start with just one or two goals; if you have too many, you will be less likely to keep up with them.

Every year the 1st of January looms in the distance and taunts me as it comes closer and closer.  Each year I have made resolutions to lose weight, or get it shape, or travel more, or NOT resolve to do anything. I begin the year with gusto and by the end of February I am right along with everyone else – back where I started from on January 1.  So, I’ve thrown resolutions OUT the window! This year I am not making resolutions but developing 5 healthy habits to improve my life and health. Today is January 3rd, and it takes 28 days to form a solid habit. So join me and be on your way by the end of the month!

Head on over to read the rest and see what other great health tips we have!

Diagnosis: Mommy Knows Her Stuff

On Wednesday morning the girls and I dressed warmly and piled into the van headed for the pediatrician's office. We were fever free but still full of symptoms of the funk. Miss Moo was overly sensitive and being a bit mean to me which is generally an indication that she's actually sick. Miss Roo was still battling a runny nose and puffy eyes. Drew (and in turn I) had been up most of the night due to his cough.  I was doubting everything I had done to treat what I had been certain was a virus and afraid was letter my children suffer needlessly.

What it Looked Like

 * Cati Kaoe * via Compfight.

When the funk moved it, I felt that the girls had a virus. Their fevers, when present, weren't high. Their symptoms came and went at around the same time of day- nighttime was far more difficult on all of us than the daytime. Their runny noses were clear and their coughs were a result of that drainage. They felt bad but they weren't miserable and still wanted to play. However, the high fever spike (104.3) that Miss Moo had on Tuesday after several days of the funk indicated to me that something more was going on. I continued to keep her comfortable and did give her a half dose of fever reducer along with cold compresses to get her fever to a manageable level.  We coasted through the day and I decided to call the pediatrician the next day.

So what happened at our visit? 

I found out I was right! All of the funk has started as a virus. Viruses must run their course - you can only treat the symptoms. Antibiotics only work when an illness is bacteria-based. Giving them to a child with a virus won't help kill the virus and will possibly prevent the antibiotic from working in the future if needed. Both girls had clear lungs and congested heads. Moo's emotions and fever spike were due to an ear infection. Her ear already presented puss and tons of fluid. The doctor was amazed she wasn't complaining or crying with pain. Roo also had fluid on the ear but was holding her own against the virus. Everything that I had done to help them and treat their symptoms had been just what they needed. And treating them cautiously had made Moo's spike in fever present as an even bigger red flag.

What I Did

• Liquids: When the funk started, I upped the girls Vitamin C intake by offering more orange juice as well as giving them Emergen-C as a special drink. I also made sure their cups were constantly refilled with juice or water anytime they were low.
• Low Key Play:  I kept them busy with activities that didn't exert them too much. Coloring and drawing, building blocks, babysitting with their dolls, watching movies together- anything that would keep them focused and relatively contained.
• Food: Getting them to eat when sick is tricky. I tried to get food in that was protein rich - chicken breasts- or could easily carry more than one focus - bagels with butter and cream cheese.
• NOT Treating Low-Grade Fevers: When the girls had fevers, they were 101 or less. These fevers aren't dangerous and illustrate that the body is working to fight off an intruder. Treating them could have led to a weakened defense against the virus, so making them comfortable in clothing choices, cool drinks, and compresses made more sense to me.
• Lowering the Room Temperature at Night: The first night, Roo's cough sounded almost croup-like. She began to panic and I grabbed a blanket and took her out onto the deck. Within 30 seconds her breathing was much less labored and within 2 minutes it was completely normal. I kept her in a cooler room that night to ensure that she could rest. For the next several nights she'd start in one room and end in another.

What We're Doing Now

Moo is on a 10 day course of antibiotics. I'm not happy about it, but her ear was pretty far gone by the time we got to the pediatrician. After one dose, she is acting noticeably better. Her fever is gone, her congestion is draining well, and there is less coughing. 

Roo is still battling the virus and we are doing our best to keep it as a virus that we are treating.

• Melaleuca: I have a bottle of doTerra Melaleuca in what I affectionately call my apothecarium. I mixed two drops of oil into to TB of water. We put a dropper full in her ear and let it set about a minute. We then drained it and put some cotton in to get the excess. We will repeat this in the morning and evening tomorrow.
• Chiropractor: Roo and I will head to the Chiropractor for adjustments. Having her neck and spine adjusted could open up her ears and sinuses and allow that fluid to drain out rather than backing up and growing bacteria.
• Massaging her neck: Our Chiropractor showed me a trick with Moo when she was little and would get congested. Rubbing her neck gently downward on either side from behind her ears down will relax those muscles and promote drainage if there is any fluid gathering. I did this with Roo tonight and her nose began running again. I hope this means we're on the right track.

And Poor Drew...

has bronchitis. He's also on an antibiotic and is starting to look normal again. I'm grateful for teacher immunity and pregnancy preparedness. Although I am exhausted from trying to take care of everyone and grow a baby, I have only had a few allergy like symptoms and have responded well to Emergen-C, Elderberry syrup, FCLO, and tons of fluids and teas.  I'm hoping my adjustment tomorrow will ease any congestion I still have then. And that we're all well soon.

Do you try to balance "wait and see" with "go and check"?* What guidelines do you use?

* Thanks, Kim :)

Pitiful

My girls are really health kids in general. But somehow despite my best efforts, the funk has found us. Today they were much worse and as I write this to post tomorrow I am certain we will be at the doctor before 10 am for Roo's first sick visit ever and Moo's first one in two years.

I've tried all I know to do to boost their immune systems, naturally treat their symptoms, keep the hydrated and feed them good food as best I can when they won't eat. I have gotten a little chicken, apple juice and filtered water, fruit popsicles, and soup in them today.

I am hanging my head in shame to admit that I gave them fever reducer so they would rest and have a chance at healing some overnight tonight and not needing antibiotics tomorrow.

Being a mom is the hardest job I've ever had.

Welcome 2013- Now go away crud!

Happy New Year! Somehow, despite all my best efforts, Drew and the girls managed to get sick AGAIN the day after Christmas. We are all at home and trying to recover as quickly and best we can.

I can't believe it's 2013! This is the year we get to meet our sweet boy!!