Houston, We Have A Problem March 7, 2008

Here I am, at 6 o’clock in the morning…still dreaming about you…

Song lyrics from yet another cheesy song.  It’s from the mid 80’s.  It’s driving me CRAZY that I can’t remember the rest of the song, title or big haired group.  I just tried to google the lyrics and instead of the answer, I found myself clicking on a nasty porn site.  What jerks to disguise it as something normal. I’m really pretty ticked about it.  Selah was standing right here!!  Thank God I could just shut the laptop and say, over the obnoxious groans, “Honey, go get Popi to wake up.”  Lovely obedient girl…

So, Why am I up and typing again, when I just finished up 4 1/2 hours ago?  Well. I wasn’t sleeping well.  I’m totally achy and sore.  I was still trying to convince myself that it was just a bad cycle, not an indication that The Diva Cup was not so welcome where it was. Then it happened. A about 5:30 I sneezed.  It wasn’t a big sneeze. Nothing close to The Sneeze of 2005 when I peed my pants while I was preggers with Jacob. Now that was embarrassing.  No, this was a modest little sneeze.  Didn’t even wake Travis.  Yes it must have ‘broken the seal’.  I felt a little gush yet was still in that half asleep state where it didn’t register concern. For about five minutes.  Then the nagging something that wasn’t letting me go back to sleep registered.  Um, uh-oh.  Gush is a very, very bad thing. 

So I rolled out of bed and dragged myself to the bathroom.  Yep.  Soaked.  As I reached to Remove the Diva Cup I was shocked at how painful it was.  The walls of my vaja-ja were so sore.  Seriously, ouch.  So out it came.  Dumped it. Rinsed it.  Went to go get a pad.  I think the Diva Cup and I need a break.

I’m really, really sad.   I think this is an amazing product and I wanted to be able to give it a rave review.  It’s not over. I’m going to call Diva Cup today and talk to them.  My suspicion is that I should have the smaller size 1 cup.  I already know I have a small vagina. I’ve (to my sadness) had 3 c-sections, so no stretching by birth.  When I was fitted for a diaphragm I was the smallest size available. That was only a little over a year ago.  So, I’m hoping this is just a size issue. We’ll see.  For now I’m giving it a rest and I’m back to the Glad Rags.

And now both boys are up.  Selah and Travis just left to go on a ‘date’, which simply means breakfast alone at the All Star Cafe.  Teaching my precious girl how a man should treat her early More on that later.  For now I’m going on less than 4 hours of sleep.  Lucas woke back up and had to play for another 45 minutes after my  last entry.  I have a tour of the public school with Selah at 8:30(I’ll explain why later), a Koala Mommas meeting to go to at 10:00 and Travis has today off so we intended to do something special with the kids today.May be hard with the rain.  I’m so tired, I actually feel physically ill to the pit of my stomach, so please ignore any extra typos. Not a way to start the day.  I’m going to go make some juice and oatmeal to feed my boys.

The Diva Cup Virgin Diary of Melissa March 7, 2008

So, while I’m doing my own journal, I really wanted to share a good friend of mine’s, too. Her experience is different so maybe you’ll get something out of it!  Used with her permission, of course!

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After being 3 days late and even peeing on a stick, I started my period. (Kinda scary considering I have my tubes tied) Last month I ordered a Diva Cup and of course it arrived the day after my last period stopped. Initial impressions were good. It wasn’t too intimidating size wise and it is very flexible. Having had 3 vaginal births I got the size 2.

It lived in my bathroom cabinet until this morning. Initial insertion was pretty easy or so I thought. It slipped down and partially out so I had to try again. 2nd go I got it in much higher and am pretty sure it popped open. I forgot that I am angled to my left and adjusted insertion accordingly. It is somewhat pinchy so I think I will need to trim the stem a little bit the next time I take it out.

So that’s the start of my Diva Cup adventures. I’ll update accordingly. Next chapter… taking this thing out and emptying/cleaning it!

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I was told what it would be like to empty the Dia Cup but it is one of those you have to see it to believe experiences. Actually seeing the product of one’s period in it’s liquid state is VERY different than seeing it absorbed onto a pad or tampon. The maker has even included handy measuring lines so you can see how heavy your flow is. 

I was successful in emptying it before we went to the park without looking like I commited Haryy Carry. Insertion went ok. No leaking while I was out and about, although I still wore a “just in case” pad.

After returning home I discovered that it was sitting too low for my liking. Removal went well again…glad I’m not squeamish……about blood anyway. Insertion was the easiest it has been. I made sure to hold the “u” shape more tightly than I had been so it wouldn’t pop open before I got it too far in. I actually had an audible “pop” this time. I knew it was open.  So far so good.

Next update will be about how it fares overnight!

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Overnight was a success! I emptied it around 8:30pm, making sure I felt it pop open. Once again had a pad on just in case. My poor DH was a captive audience so I took the opportunity to tell him about it. He wants to know al these tmi things about my body, right? While talking to him I did realize that there is no odor while on my period. With tampons and pads there is usually an old blood smell that one can’t avoid, especially with pads. Since the blood is getting no air time, no odor. The diva cup is nonabsorbant so my vagina doesn’t get a dried out feeling like with tampons. On light flow days removing a tampon was akin to torture. I was comfortable all night. Never felt it. I got up at 5:15 am and emptied it into the toilet. This was the longest stretch of wearing it and it wasn’t even full. My pad only had a spot the size of a pencil eraser on it. I don’t think this was leakage as much as residual blood on the outer part of my vaginal opening from the last time I emptied it. Supposedly, an average entire cycle is only a few ounces. I am at an ounce and a half a day into my cycle. Gotta love those measuring lines. I am definitely happy knowing I can sleep in the buff all month long!

Today’s adventure……going to try new folds! http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/453392.html#cutid2  (Note that a Keeper is pictured, not the Diva Cup)

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My adenture with the 7 fold was short lived. I achieved suction but it felt like it was sitting sideways. I dealt with that for a few hours before I had to readjust it.  Back to the trusty C fold. It seems to work for me.

As I go about my daily life with the Diva I am constantly reminded of a War song. Low……ri…..der……don’t use no gas now…. Either my vaginal canal is really short or I have a free spirited Diva Cup. When I get it in the stem is sitting right t my vaginal opening. Once I stand or move it migrates so that the stem and a lower portion of the cup are beyond my aginal opening and all exposed. I know it is on my cervix and it is suctioned on but to no avail it sticks out. Honestly, it’s a little annoying.

I emptied it last night and reinserted it where I thought it should be. The whole time I am finangling it in there DH is carrying on some conversation where I was expected to be an active participant. Apparently inserting the Diva while talking is beyond me. It felt comfy but I woke up to leaks on my pad. There was very little in the cup but I am nearing the end of my cycle.

So one more day to my adventures. While confident in it’s effectiveness I am pondering why it sits so low. And I leave you with this:

All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher
Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer
Low rider knows every street yeah!
Low rider is the one to meet yeah!
Low rider don’t use no gas now
Low rider don’t drive to fast
Take a little trip
Take a little trip
Take a little trip and see
Take a little trip
Take a little trip
Take a little trip with me

Virgin Diary of a New Diva Cup… March 7, 2008

I really should be in bed.  It’s 12:38 and I’ve got a busy day tomorrow.  I just finished stitching and snapping 4 Sugar Tais together that should go out tomorrow.  I love my job!

I’m nearing the end of my first day with my Diva Cup and I think my experience hasn’t been typical.  I actually know several women who have the cup.  It wasn’t a new idea to me, I was just too cheap to spend the money on it.  I have already used cloth Glad Rags  for the last year so I wasn’t spending any moolah…  But when I got it on sale for 40% off after wanting to try it for months, I decided it was time to splurge.  I’m pretty proud of myself for sticking it out for the sale.

PAUSE..

Lucas wakes up screaming.  I give him his monkey… not happy. The Momma Skirt?(a skirt or mine he confiscated months ago to sleep with in lieu of a blanky)  Nope. No satisfaction.  hold him for a minute.  Well, happier. Put him back in the crib and walk out.  He starts screaming again.  Not sad crying.  Not hurt feelings.  He’s seriously pissed at my nerve to leave his highness.  Whoops. Now Jake is yelling “Stop screaming Lucas. No! Stop!”  Lucas starts telling Jacob off in unintelligible gibberish. Selah sleeps like a rock tonight.

 I hear Travis sigh from the bedroom, and the creaking as he decided to get up.  I beat him to the bedroom.  We take Lucas out, just to keep the peace for a minute.  I check the diaper. Dry.  I ask him why he’s awake.  What does he do? Squirms like an eel out of my arms and goes barrelling down the hall yelling ” I wanna cookie!”.  Um.. NO.  “I wann a Nanna.”  Before I can respond to that one he’s sprinting for the living room, catapults himself up onto the couch and perches himself in front of my laptop.  Then sweetly looks up at me as if he’s been there forever. “Momma, abamaga majuwah.”(Don’t worry. I didn’t get that one either.)   “Lucas you need to go to sleep.” I say as I sit down next to him.  He smiles and continues to stare at the screen, most likely waiting for scenes of train engines to suddenly appear.  Travis just had to show them all youtubes of steam engines and now that seems to be the main purpose for my laptop. 

At this point I try to trick him.  “Lucas, where’s your Monkey-Unkey?”  He looks at me intently.  For a second I think it’s not going to work.  But wait.  Recognition. He remembers where it is! Suddenly like lightning he vaults from the couch and gallops down the hallway towards his bedroom where the monkey waits. Got him!  Trav swoops him into bed where he takes on a much calmer forlorn wail with intermittent baby profanity.  Then suddenly mid-sentence his head drops and he’s down for the count. 

Sigh… and he’s not two until July…

Now where was I…

Oh yes, the cup.  So I woke up this morning at 6:30 to cramping and yes, my period.  I’ve become a freak. I was totally excited and ran into my studio where I had left the Diva Cup in the box.  I washed it off and headed to the bathroom.  Out came the instructions.  Nice little photos.  Looks simple enough.  Alright.  Fold it up and in it goes.  So getting it in wasn’t a big deal.  We used a diaphragm once, somewhat similar. Well, not really.  Goes in the same place. Have to fold it. Ok, other than that it’s very different. 

So, the first time in I wasn’t sure how high to get it.  I’d heard from others that it sits lower in there than you would expect.  But for me  I felt like I really had to get it up there or it wouldn’t open. Then I had to wiggle and rotate it a bit to get it to open all of the way without a fold.  I finally could tell it was in right when i ran my finger around the bottom rim of the cup and could tell that it was rounded out all of the way evenly.   Now, I had also heard that the stem at the end sometimes sticks out too far and is uncomfortable.  Almost everyone I know had to snip theirs off. I don’t know maybe I have a really deep who-hah.  Mine isn’t hanging at all.

At about 10am I was getting ready to take the kids to the park for a play group.  So I decided to dump before I went.  I’ve heard that sometimes while walking around, women have to do a few keagels to get the cup to ’stay in place’.  Not for me. That thing was so tight in there I can’t even imagine how it was sagging for others.  So, if you hear that yourself be aware that not all vaginal canals are created equal.  Mine seems pretty narrow.  Like I said, the diva cup seemed to be pretty high up there so finding the stem required a bit of a search.  Got it.  Tugged a bit with no budge.  Pulled at an angle and got a slight shift.  Finally got it angled enough to break the suction and after that it was smooth removin’.  I’m proud to report that the cup successfully captured 1/4 an ounce without a drop of leakage.  I have no idea why they have measurements on the side of the cup.  I don’t see anyone using it as a backup for measuring a does of Nyquil or a shot of Yaeger.  Maybe they just knew that it would be an interesting addition to my little journey here. 

So, that’s the beginning.   I seem to be cramping and tender more than usual.  That may be because my vagina hasn’t had to deal with anything other than recreational marital activities since I started using the Glad Rags.  Or it could be that I would have been better with the smaller size 1 cup after all.  Someone mentioned, and I do remember, that dry sandpaper feeling that you get from using tampons. Haven’t had anything like that at all, thank goodness. 

I dumped the cup 4 times today and it did get easier once I learned to pinch the bottom of the cup to break the suction before tugging. Thanks for that tip, Christine!  It’s a bit weird to see the blood for the first time. It’s darker than you think and it’s slimy because it’s mixed with some of your regular every day fluids that are still doing their thing.  But then I was totally intrigued by it.  Not a big deal after the first few dumps.  I think I had a total of 1 ounce all day.  Gotta use those markings, I guess. May as well keep track…

 So, now Lucas who is back awake is in bed with Travis singing and attacking his Popi like a mad man. I have no idea what he is babbling about or in what language, but he seems pretty intent.  I suppose I’ll go dump one more time and go on to bed for my first night with the cup. 

Gotta love the Grocery Score! March 5, 2008

Going to the grocery store will all three bambinos can be a daunting task.  I say that with all humility, fully aware that 3 kids is actually not a lot.  Still, it’s my a lot for now. 

I did most of my grocery shopping last week on payday, but Kroger has grapes for $.99 a pound.  I’m a sucker for grapes ( I ate 38 lbs of grapes when I was pregnant with Selah!)  yet I refuse to buy them when they are more than $1.19.  So, happy momma waltzed in with the whole tribe in tow, just for grapes.  To my delight the first thing I saw in the door was peaches on sale for $.99 a pound, too!  Oh happy day.  Selah was ecstatic!  Wait, it gets better.

The organic/health food section is right there next to the produce and a treasure chest (cart) overflowing with orange stickered items was right there in plain view just begging me to take a peek.  Did you know that Travis is actually embarrassed to look through those carts?  Is that normal?  I, personally was thrilled.  In the cart I found organic pasta, instant oatmeal, fruit leather, apple sauce, Cocoa Vive bars, sandwich cookies and Rice Cereal (great for making More rice milk).

So here’s a photo of my score. 

• 120 Fruit Leathers
• 40 servings or instant oatmeal
• 5 Cocoavia bars
• 2 jars apple blueberry sauce
• 8 boxes organic angel hair pasta
• 2 boxes of sandwich cookies (saved me from making something for Selah’s tea party with a friend today)
• 4lbs rice farina for rice milk  (should make about 5 gallons)
• 5 1/2 lbs of grapes
• 4 1/2 lbs of peaches (the children absconded with them before the photo)

everything was organic except the Cocoavia and the fruit. 

GRAND TOTAL AFTER TAX $34.64 

 (total value estimate, $120.00)

I spent only about 20 minutes in the store total, including checking out and the obligatory trip to the bathroom with the kids.  They won’t leave a store without seeing the restroom.  So, in less than 1/2 an hour I made  $85.36 on didn’t buy one food that wouldn’t be used.  OK, so we didn’t need the Cocoavia bars, but it was the ones with almonds!!  I’m content with that being taken out of my Mom Wage. 

Yep,  I’m a proud  clearance cart scavenger. 

Unweaned….really February 25, 2008

When I was pregnant with Selah, first munchkin of our tribe, I remember an old friend of my mother’s visiting for the summer.  Now this woman is one of the most outspoken, opinionated bold mommas you could ever happen upon.  Basically an older, slightly crunchier version of me.  At the time I was floating in the pool, gorgeous prego belly exposed to the sun.  Complete bliss.  She was interrogating me on my plans for how I would parent.  Would I have a home-birth, would I go back to work… and the inevitable… would I breastfeed? 

For me there was no question.  There’s no doubt that it’s the best thing for my baby.  I personally couldn’t imagine messing with bottles in the middle of the night when I can just break out the boob.  The idea of ‘running out’ of formula sounded like a pain in the butt.  No way, I’m way too lazy for that. Not to mention the fact that I’m seriously too  cheap to pay for formula when breast-milk is free.  I’m not judging anyone who chose differently.  For me it was never even a question. 

So, clearly the answer was an immediate yes.  Then the next question was “How long will you breastfeed?”  That one hadn’t really come to mind yet.  I thought about it for a second.  I have vague memories of this woman being the epitome of mother earth mixed with the whole “hear me roar” thing.  Super power mom.  I know she nursed her babies longer than I probably would.  So I asked how long she did.  She had 6 children (I think that’s right) but she said that the one she nursed longest she had to wean eventually because the dentist said his teeth were getting cavities.  I looked at her in shock…

Me: Well how old was he?

 Supermom: I think he was in first grade.

Me:  Are you kidding me? (insert dumbfounded look of shock)

Supermom: Well, How long do YOU think you should breastfeed? ( justifiably defensive at my rudeness)

Me: Well I hope I stop before her teeth rot out! (paddling off to the deep end with brain reeling)

Now I think of this exchange often.  First of all, I’m still embarrassed at my rudeness.   (K and L, please don’t stop reading, I love your mom!)  Sometimes I think I should carry around a shoehorn for how often I put my foot in my mouth.  Yes, it was a bit extreme but  was it really that bad to have extended breastfeeding?

I’m ashamed to admit that I nursed Selah to 9 months and then weaned out of laziness.  Not saying that  9 months is ‘too short’.  I just know in my heart that it was for me that I weaned her.  Even at 9 months I would often have unexpected leakage issues.  I was working part time and forced to pump in the car.  It was embarrassing.  One night a single guy at church pointed at my shirt and said “Um,  you’re ahhh, ummm..”.  When I looked down and saw the left side of my shirt drenched I knew then and there that I was done with it.  Selah was an independent baby and didn’t seem to care.  She’s not scared, although I wonder if the finger sucking issue is connected.  I’m not getting down on myself.  I just know that now I would do it differently.  I have to be honest and say that my judgement on Supermom caused me to overreact and fear being seen as an ‘over exuberant’ nurser. I didn’t understand it. 

  With Jacob we went to 15 months, mainly because of his huge list of food allergies.  It was quite convenient to always have something for him, ummm… ‘on hand’, so to speak.   So when, at 8 months, I found out Lucas was on the way I kept it up as long as I could.  At six months into my pregnancy the cramps I was having during breastfeeding started to worry my OB (having had both Selah and Jake on the early side, with preterm issues).  So we weaned and he never looked back.  Ironic is the hindsight.  Maybe if I had kept up the breastfeeding I wouldn’t have been pregnant for 42 weeks that time! Who knew…

So here I am.  Lucas.  Last month we got down to nursing once every couple of days.  I got irritated with the inconsistency, and the fact that my nips were starting to be tender.  I decided he was done.  And he didn’t protest much either.  I was a bit shocked that we went all the way to 18 months without even thinking about it being any different.  I thought about Supermom.   I could see it.  Just keep going and don’t worry about it.  Somehow doesn’t seem like a big deal now. 

Well, that was last month.  We went about 4 weeks without nursing and suddenly I’m faced with the fact that my child actually has become UNweaned.  Last week he got a cold and out of the blue he was begging to nurse.  No big deal.  It was probably soothing.  I know my body will still make milk for months.  So, nurse we did.  And it really isn’t a big deal. 

He’s back to nursing just in the morning when he wakes up.  I never offer to, but he’s asking every morning.  To be honest, I just don’t see the point in denying it.  I look at Selah who is in kindergarten, and Jacob at three.  Nope, I love me some Supermom but I still don’t think I can do that.  On the other hand, what’s the big deal? 

I think the only issue I would have is if breastfeeding is for your identity.  Trying to prove something.  Or some neediness on the part of Mom.  I don’t think that was why Supermom did it.  I think it just kinda worked for her and wasn’t a big deal. 

On the other hand, I have seen a mom make it a big deal.  Following her 4 year old around at the park offering to nurse at every turn ‘just in case she wanted it’.  I mean, if the child still feels a need for it, let them ask.  If mom feels a need for it….where does that put you?  Do you need that to be important? Is it your soapbox, your identity?   That kinda doesn’t sit so well with me…

As it stands, my unexpectedly un-weaned 19 month old is welcome to keep nursing for now.  With homeschooling, working from home and general mom and wife duties, he may just see it as his best opportunity for some peace with mom. Why would I deny that?  And I have to say, it’s the only time I get a glimpse of him as a baby anymore, rather than the toddler in constant motion.  So nurse we will. Till….whenever….

I think Supermom would be proud. 

Go be a Diva! February 24, 2008

The Diva Cup!

No it’s not gross.  It’s actually really convenient, better for your body and for the environment.  The Diva Cup is, in my opinion, the easiest way to deal with ‘Aunt Flo’.  It saves you money which racks up your “Mom Wage”  and  you never have to worry about running out of tampons or pads again.   And it’s one easy step towards being green.

So here’s your link  Diva Cup on sale for $17 plus shipping!

 This is the best price I’ve ever seen it sold so it’s the perfect time to try it for yourself.  Women under 30 who have never given birth will need a model 1.  Women who are over 30 OR have given birth vaginally or by c-section should get model 2.

Here’s some more info from their website:

Winner of the 2007 Silver Award of Excellence from Alive!
 Feminine Hygiene’s Latest Innovation in 50 Years! Not a Tampon! Not a Pad!The DivaCup… not a tampon… not a pad. Finally a better way! The DivaCup is a leading edge redesign of a proven menstrual solution concept first introduced in the 1930’s. Used by women worldwide for decades, it is now available nationwide! The DivaCup offers ultimate freedom to enjoy your daily activities including sports such as swimming, as well as traveling with no messy “leaks” or the expense and inconvenience of buying and carrying supplies in all shapes, sizes and absorbencies.

The Ultimate in Feminine Protection - The DivaCup™ offers women convenience and peace of mind. Worn internally, The DivaCup™ is positioned low in the vagina for a secure fit and easy removal. Designed to hold up to one full ounce, one can swim, run, backpack, travel and even wear it overnight without ever worrying about leaks.

No More Hassle - The DivaCup™ eliminates the need to spend time searching for a bathroom, hiding tampons or pads in pockets, or constantly worrying about leakage and unpleasant odors. It works for light as well as heavy days. Also, there is no more guessing as to which kind of products to use on certain days or nights.Convenient - With nothing to buy and nothing to throw away, the DivaCup™ is convenient and worry-free.

Easy-To-Use - The DivaCup™ is the most convenient way to deal with menstruation. It only requires emptying 2 to 4 times a day depending on flow and can be worn for an entire cycle up to 12 hours at a time, even overnight.

Design - The innovative DivaCup™ design features easy-grip ridges, convenient flow measurements and a soft, flexible stem for comfort and easy removal. Designed to hold one full ounce (30 ml), The DivaCup™ is capable of accommodating even the heaviest flows (an entire average cycle is 3 to 4 ounces or 90 to 120 ml).

Health and Safety - The DivaCup™ holds the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) 510k Medical Device Number and the Health Canada Medical Device License. Diva International Inc. is also ISO 13485 Certified, which ensures the highest quality in production, packaging and distribution of The DivaCup™.

Toxic Shock Syndrome- The serious and sometimes fatal Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is caused by toxin-producing strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium and has been linked to the use of conventional, rayon-based tampons.

Eco-Friendly- In 1998, 7 billion tampons and 12 billion sanitary pads and their packaging were disposed into landfills and sewage systems in the U.S. alone. With landfill and pollution problems on the rise, The DivaCup™ will reduce the serious eco-footprint of feminine hygiene.

Da Junk…mail, that is… February 21, 2008

Junk mail sucks.  Really.  It wastes trees, it wastes energy to produce and deliver. And it wastes my time to go get it from my mailbox.  I have to say, I hate days that I walk out to the mailbox to find nothing but junk in the…box…hmmm.  Last month there was a great article with tips to cut back the Junk in your  box. 

http://www.wsbtv.com/money/15023481/detail.html?rss=atl&psp=money

On the other hand, I’m a ‘Waste not to the max’ kinda gal, so I try to reuse as much as I can.  What I don’t use I recycle. Here are some reusing tips from an email I got.

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I know that most people hate getting junk mail on a daily basis. But I love it. There are so many things that you can do with junk mail that you get. 

•  Envelopes that come in junk mail. You can reuse these. Write your grocery list on the back of the envelope and put your coupons inside the envelope. So when you are at the grocery store you do not have to search for a coupon for 5 minutes in your coupon organizer.
• Use the envelope to put all of your Christmas receipts in and mark the back of it Christmas Receipts.
• If you are dropping a check off to someone who isn’t home put the check inside the envelope and tape it to their door.
• Put a label over the address already printed and send out your bills or letters, this way you do not have to buy envelopes. 
•  Colored paper that comes in junk mail. Shred all the colored paper that comes in the junk mail. Use this paper in gift bags instead of buying tissue paper. Use this paper for your children’s Easter baskets instead of buying the expensive grass. Use this paper when you are mailing something to take up extra space in the box so that your contents do not move around.
• White paper that comes in junk mail. If there is nothing on the back of this paper: Let your kids use this paper for any drawings or art work that they do instead of wasting computer paper. Cut this paper into small squares and staple them in the corner, then use this paper as a scratch pad.
• Believe it or not some junk mail is good. Yesterday we received a survey in the mail from a company that was wanting us to fill this 10 pages survey out and send it back to them. Enclosed was a brand new dollar bill. So be careful before you pitch your junk mail. If anyone else has any ideas for junk mail please post it. I am all about reusing stuff.

Chrissy

CNN HEALTH- 1 in 3 Women Will Have A Cesarean Birth February 21, 2008

This is a short (3 minute) CNN video on the rising rate of c-sections and some tips to avoid them

 http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/02/18/cohen.csections.cnn

 Now, I’m not one to give guilt trips to moms who had c-sections. Why?  I’ve had three.  Each time I went into it with the intention of having a natural birth because I know that is best for my body and my baby. The circumstances were not the norm that caused my c-sections.  The first was breach, the second was the result of injury from a car accident, the third camped out in there to 42 weeks and I gave in.  So, no judgement here.  But being educated is key in any decision.  We can’t trust the doctors to tell us everything.  Really that’s not their job.  If we chose to just let them do what they do, then we’re giving them the permission to make decisions for us. I prefer to know for myself.

EVERY WOMAN, no matter whether you are pregnant or not, should learn about what our bodies are made to do.  We deserve to be prepared and to see birth as what it is, and that is NOT a sickness or disease that HAS to be treated in a hospital.

If you can’t see “the Business of Being Born” somewhere near you, make sure you add it to your Netflix when it comes out.  Women deserve to choose.

http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/

Rice Milk February 21, 2008

It is so easy to make Rice Milk, yet it’s ridiculously expensive to buy.  Because we avoid  dairy in our house and soy has some side effects that aren’t the safest, I’ve been making my own rice milk.  Here’s how I do it.

RICE MILK- one quart

• 1 c. cooked brown rice (still hot is best)
• 4 c. warm water
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 t canolla or coconut oil
• 1 t. vanilla
• sweetener ( I use agave nectar or honey)

I start with the  rice and just enough water to cover it in the blender.  It needs to blend for quite awhile to get it as pureed as possible, and as it thickens I will add water a few splashes as a time.  Let it stand for 5 minutes so that the silt and left over pieces can settle at the bottom before straining.  I’m sure it’s done better through cheesecloth, but I use a small strainer because that’s what I have.  I strain it into my pitcher, then reprocess the left over ’silt’ a bit with a little more watter.  Add as much water as you would like to get the consistency you like.  One cup of rice makes one quart the way I like it

Chocolate Rice Milk add 1 tbs. powdered cocoa and make sure you use sweetener.  I add it half way through the blender time.  Yummm….makes a special treat once in awhile.

 Banana Rice Milk  add 1/2 a banana and no sweetener.

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I keep it in a jug identical to this, but from Walmart for $4.98.  I couldn’t find it on their website, but this one from Target costs three times as much. Take a look and go get it from Walmart.

http://www.target.com/Chiller-Glass-Lid-64-oz/dp/B000HDKI52/ref=sc_ri_1/601-7422909-5238543

I buy organic short grain rice in a 25 pound bag for $19.99.  It lasts us about 6 months.  At only $.80 a pound, I can make rice milk for about $.20  per 1/2 gallon.  So,  if Rice milk costs about $8 per gallon, I make about $7.50 in the 20 minutes worth of work it takes (not including the stand time).  I usually just make it from left over rice after a meal so I’m not making more dishes, wasting energy and all that jazz… 

Go try it and come back to tell me what you think!

EDITED TO ADD: Below there is a comment from the owner of this blog.  I haven’t checked it out yet but thought it looks interesting.  While I’m not a gung-ho anti-dairyist..ahem… There is some truth to milk not being the healthiest for human consumption.  Check it out for yourself.

http://themilkblog.blogspot.com