Where did June go...

Wow! Where did June go?  I can hardly believe that it is July already.  I guess we have been so busy enjoying the great weather tending to our small garden, going to playgroups, and starting a business that June just slipped away on me.  That right I said started a business.  I am officially the owner of Natural Beginnings Doula Services.  Myself and three other doulas have gradually been working towards organizing a doula collective since January of this year.  We have finally gotten most of it put together and sorted out.  It feels so good to be a part of someones pregnancy and birth.  I feel empowered after every client meeting, it is an amazing feeling knowing that I am able to pass on knowledge to parents to be and support them in the choices they make to bring this new life into the world.  I have definitely found my calling.

I have also planted a small vertical garden in the backyard.  Everything is growing wonderfully!  I am going to have more tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, beets, and kale than I know what to do with.  Soon enough it will be canning season and I will be busy preserving all these yummy treasures so that we can enjoy them through out the winter.  The cupboard is the basement is almost bare and ready to be replenished with jars of salsa, tomato sauce, tomato soup, vegtable soup, peaches, pears, sauerkraut, and canned tomatoes.

The kids have also kept me busy this past month.  We have been attending playgroups every week and trying to enjoy the sunshine as much as possible.  I have really been enjoying out weekly playgroup with a group of like minded Mamas that love babywearing.  The babywearing scene here in Brandon has really grown in the last two years since I had my oldest.  I remember when it was just my friend Jana and I getting together and referring to ourselves as a babywearing group.  Now our little group has grown to almost 80 people.  It is great to see Mamas learning the benefits of babywearing and seeing that there is way more to it that Bjorns. 

I encapsulated my placenta...

and I have had a quicker recovery and easier time with breastfeeding because of it.  After I gave birth to my son I had a really rough recovery.  I was so swollen in my legs and feet that it hurt to walk,  It took 5 weeks before the swelling went away.  I was exhausted and spent days on end just lying in bed with him until he was about 8 months.  I know you are suppose to be tired but this was really not normal.  I had major issues with milk supply and battled for 12 weeks to up my supply enough that he did not need formula top ups.  We were able to get away from all but one bottle of formula a day.  In the end I nursed him until I was pregnant with my daughter and he weaned himself. 

So I started researching how to prevent this with my second pregnancy and all the arrows pointed in one direction.  I needed to eat my placenta.  I was a little thrown off by this at first but as I read more and more information it all started to make sense.  I figured what the heck I might as well give it a try.  I decided that I couldn't eat it raw but that encapsulation was the way to go for me.  I found an encapsulation specialist a couple hours from where I lived and made arrangements with her to dehydrate and encapsulate my placenta.

After the birth of my daughter we put my placenta in a bag and had it frozen in the freezer on the maternity unit at the hospital.  The next day when we were discharged home we took it with us.  It was about a week and half after she was born that I shipped it off to the encapsulation specialist.  Within a few days I had the capsules back and started taking two three times a day.  Within a couple days I started to notice a difference in my milk supply and how much energy I had.   I would recommend to all pregnant women to at least research this option and see if this is something that would work for them.  It made a difference for me and it might really make a difference for you.

Ingesting your placenta after the birth of your child can help to prevent PPD, increase your milk supply, increase your energy levels, increase your iron stores, and balance your hormones.  There is a lot of information available as well as DIY instructions.  You can also seek out an encapsulation specialist in your area.  Ask your midwife or doula for information as well they may be able to get you in touch with an encapsulation specialist in your area.

Food for Thought...

I can not take credit for writing this, I received it in an email and I wanted to share it.  I don't know who the author is but it is really something we should all be thinking about.

  Imported food we eat and the junk we buy....REAL EYE OPENER

Hi - - -Green Giant   frozen vegetables are from China and so are most of Europe's Best.  Arctic Gardens are OK.  Never buy the grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked "from USA" or Canada,  the other stuff is grown in people poop (even worse than chicken poop).  Buy only local honey, much honey is shipped in in huge containers from China and re-packed here.  Cold-FX is grown and packed in China and is full of fecal bacteria.  Doesn't work anyway, big scam.  If the country of origin is not clearly marked beware...if produce ask an employee.  Watch out for packages which state "prepared for", "packed by" or "imported by".  Don't understand the lack of mandatory labelling in BC. especially the produce.  In Ontario, the country of origin has to be clearly shown on the item in the store.  I am not sure about other provinces.  I go to the local farmers markets in season and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year. Worth reading, although I’m sure you already know at least some of this . . . I thought this was very interesting. I was surprised by the "NO NAME BRAND" and "PRESIDENT'S CHOICE" I thought they would be both the same. Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom.  Its important for all of us. How is it possible to ship food from China cheaper -- than having it produced in Canada or at least the U.S. ? FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE  CAN FROM CHINA ... SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS BUY THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE IS FROM CAL . Beware, Costco sells canned peaches & pears, in a plastic jar, that come from China. ALL  "HIGH LINER" AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM  CHINA OR INDONESIA ..  THE PACKAGE MAY SAY "PACIFIC SALMON" ON THE FRONT, BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL PRINT.  MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH FARMS IN THE ORIENT AND THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FED TO THESE FISH. (Recently a Montreal Gazette had an article by the Canadian Gov't how Chinese feed the fish... they suspend the chicken wire crates over the fish ponds, and the fish feed on chicken shxxt.  Canadian Government recommended and stressed NOT to buy any type of fish imported from China .  If you search the internet what the chinese feed their fish you'll be alarmed , eg. growth hormones, expired anti-biotics from humans,  and never buy any type of fish or shellfish that comes from these countries... Vietnam , China , Philippines ...) Check this out personally.  I did.. BICK'S HAVE RECENTLY CEASED OPERATIONS IN CANADA     --   DON'T BUY THEM .   Stienfeld’s  Pickles are made in India – just as bad!!! Many NoName pickles are made in Canada ... Another example was in canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from Indonesia . Next to them were President Choice brand. Produce of Canada !! The P. C. went into my grocery bag. Also check those little fruit cups we give our children. They use to be made here in Canada in the Niagara region until about 2 years ago....They are now packaged in China ! While the Chinese, export inferior and even toxic products, dangerous toys and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Obama Administration and the Harper Government for perceived errors. Yet 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended!!  Well, duh. Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF  CANADA & US!! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all.  You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have  eggs, use real ones and benefit some North American farmer. Easter is just an example; the point is not waiting for the government to act.. Just go ahead and assume control on your own. Canadian Thermos bottles were made here for many years. Thermos sold out in the 1990's and now the bottles, those that keep our food warm or cold are now made in CHINA . We lost---about 200 jobs! THINK ABOUT THIS, If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favour...fast!!  The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Just one month of trading losses, will hit the Chinese for 8%, of their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it. START NOW and don’t stop. Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are intelligent Canadians / Americans, and NOBODY can take us for granted. If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives. . . WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

We spent the day today at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.  Is was a great day but also a very tiring one.  Chasing my two year old while wearing my ten week old was definitely a great workout.  My son really enjoyed seeing all the animals and getting to touch, pet and feed them.  He really enjoyed the grain elevator in one of the play areas.  He also really enjoyed watching the horses in the big show ring.  Although we had fun it was not without it's meltdowns.  He was up early this morning and didn't nap while we spent the day walking around at the fair.  I was very grateful for my Bamberoo mei tai carrier and my Sleeping Baby Productions ring sling.  I would not have survived the day without them.

My son really loved the animals so much that it really made think our eventual move to a farm is going to be such a great thing for our family.  He was so enthralled with everything to do with the farm that I know he is a farm kid at heart and needs to be in the open space and air. 

We are headed back to the fair on Friday for another day of fun. Although this time I am taking my husband with me so he can help me wrangle the two year old.

Sorry and Update

Well where has the time gone... I am apparently not the best blogger but I am going to better this time around. 
Things have changed a lot since I last posted.  I am back on maternity leave, I gave birth to a little girl on January 9th.  I say little but she was 9lbs 9ozs and 22 inches long so really not all that little.  I was very happy that I was able to do it all natural.  I recovered so much faster from this birth than I did from my first.  I tried to do it naturally with him as well but because of some complications I was not able to do it without the epidural. 
As for our crunchie lifestyle we are still headed down that path.  I am knitting like crazy and recently bought a knitting machine to try out.  I love that I can make clothing for my children and my nieces, and nephews.  I have also continued to preserve food.  I canned 200lbs of tomatoes this fall in to various yummy things.  I also canned 5 cases of peaches and 3 cases of pears.  We have been eating very tasting things all winter.  I was able to find free run chickens and I loaded my freezers with them, I also shared in the purchase of beef from my Uncle.  So we have been able to eat meat this year knowing the source of it. 
I have been busy bugging my husband to move us to the country.  We have been looking at land and have narrowed it down to one spot we really like.  We are just working out the details and hopefully by 2013 we will building our dream home.  If we do get this spot it will take us this summer to prepare the lots and dismantle the current buildings on the site.  We are hoping to re purpose the the lumbar from the existing building to build our house. 
Well that is a little update from me and I promise to do a better job at blogging!

Back to the Grind...

Well I have returned to work.  My year of vacation (as my husband called it) is over.  I have been back for four shifts.  I thought I might die after the first but it has gotten better with each shift.  It really has not taken   me long to get back into the swing of things.  Actually I am little amazed that it really doesn't feel like I was gone at all.  I super excited that I started two IVs, both were hard starts.  It really boosted my confidence and I have to admit that I was really worried that my skills would be super rusty after a year off. 

I am really enjoying my patients as well.  It is such a great feeling to be caring for them.  Although I am enjoying being back all the old frustrations are there too.  I am so upset with the state of health care in this province and for that matter this country. 

It is so frustrating to see our elderly and ill treated so poorly.  There needs to be more staff.  In my opinion there is no reason that a person should become dehydrated while in the hospital.  But unfortunately this happens all to often especially with the elderly.  Is so many cases they can not drink by themselves and they need help.  But there is not enough staff and everyone is so busy with other tasks that these people are left for extended periods of time and not able to get themselves something to drink.

Our system lacks efficiency.  There is so much money wasted because health care professionals are not allowed to perform all the duties that they are educated to do.  Take nurses for example, I know when someone needs to have a CBC or urinalysis performed but I have to call a Dr to give me permission to run the test.  In my opinion that is waste of money.  I have the training and the ability to know that my patient needs to see a Speech language pathologist or a physio therapist yet I can not consult them without a Dr's order.  I feel that there is no reason that I as a RN should be interrupting a Dr at his clinic to ask him if it is ok to check someones urine or to swab their wound for infection. This is a waste of resources, time and money.  The faster our Governments and hospital administrators figure this out the faster we will be on the road to better health care in this province and country. 

I could gone on for ever about this subject but this is my rant for tonight.

Breasts are for Babies...

Get over it people breasts are for feeding babies! 

Why are people so uncomfortable with a breastfeeding woman?  I even went through this with my husband after our son was born.  He was always so uncomfortable and embarrassed that I was breastfeeding in a public place, even when I used a cover.  He would tell me I should go to another room.  I would get so mad at him. I eventually told him that if he ever said anything to me again when I was nourishing and feeding his son I would unlatch and give him a shower.  He has never said anything again.  I found it upsetting to not have his support in my decision to breastfeed in public.  In every situation he was the only person that was uncomfortable and he actually drew more attention to what was happening by acting like an ass.  Now don't get me wrong my husband is a wonderful supportive man.  He was very supportive of my decision to breastfeed and thought it was important that I do it.  The problem is that he thinks of breasts as sexual objects and not what they truly are, a source of food for our children.

In my opinion this is case for so many people.  They can not get over the sexualization of breasts.  So they think it is crude for a woman to bare her breast in a public place to feed her baby.  I personally think that woman should breastfeed when ever where ever they choose.  If your baby is hungry fed them and don't feel that you have to hide in a dirty bathroom or corner somewhere to do it.  I am saying that woman should do what they feel is comfortable for them.  There are no set rules, so make your own and enjoy the bond that you have with your baby.

When I first started breastfeeding nursing in public was difficult.  I was always trying to use a cover that was in the way and it was hard to get the baby latched.  Eventually as we both got better at it nursing in public became natural and easy.  I can nurse my son now anywhere and I hardly show any breast at all.

Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed to a baby and it needs to be promoted. 
So to all the people out there that have a problem with a woman nursing her child in a public place GET OVER IT! and look the other way.