Contemporary Earth Mama

handwritten letters

Who doesn’t love a handwritten letter?  Can you even remember the last time you received something just for you in the mail, handwritten by another, that gave you warm fuzzies?  I know I can’t, but I’m on a mission to get back that lovin’ feeling!

Fourteen years ago, ahem, while a mere twenty years old, my best friend and I were separated by five states, a mountain range or two, a gorge, and the desire to be hanging out together climbing every day.  Later in the year, the call from the West won my heart and off I drove to live with her in Mammoth, CA.  Prior to that we would write letters to each other on the cardboard from cereal, mac’n’cheese, and pizza boxes.  The fun in collecting boxes for writing to one another was outrageous as we tried to outdo the other time and again.  From tampon boxes to the cardboard that comes with a new set of sheets, we shared tales of love lost and gained, healthy living (i.e., “how do I make hummus again?”), college and what we desired most out of life.

A few weeks back I saw the back of the brown crispy rice cereal box in a whole new light, suddenly remembering this fun way of communicating, and decided to have a go at it again.  You know what’s awful?  I no longer even knew the address of my dear friend thanks to email and Facebook, so swallowed my foot when I had to ask her for it!  I now have a handful of cardboard letters that are ready for the mail and my 7 year old is getting a huge kick out of this and now has a cardboard collection of her own developing under her bed.

I encourage you this week to find a way to upcycle or recycle something into a handwritten letter to someone who may return the favor of fun mail!

Coaching for the New Mother

New moms are often in the space of just getting by for the first few months.  Some moms get an itch shortly thereafter to jump back into life as they knew it.  So they do.  Then, they find life is not at all as they knew it and resentment can sometimes follow suit.

The ebb and flow of emotions we experience is nothing short of your over the top amusement park rollercoaster ride.  Amid the warm-fuzzy let downs you have by simply gazing at the warm bundle in your arms, you may also be in a total sweat and holding back tears as you stand in line at Target while your baby is crying with mustard colored poop leaking down his/her leg.  It’s just a normal day of your new life, right?

Typically new moms are trying fervently to balance life with a baby while also considering whether to return to the work force and how to manage life with one income.  Don’t forget that they are also trying to remember who they were just a mere three months ago.   Now, evenings out with girlfriends or having friends in for coffee is a great way to beat the ongoing banter in your head if you are a new mom looking for mama time.  But you may be seeking the wrong kind of support from your friends when what you might benefit from is working with a coach.

4 ways I support my clients with coaching:

•Create strategies to help you make the best decisions for you and your family

•Encourage you to invent your own life

•Offer framework for establishing a harmonic home rhythm to allow for deep connection to family and an increased sense of peace

•Guidance in how to maintain focus

Working toward your goals with a coach is immensely gratifying.  I couldn’t say that if I didn’t work with a coach myself…I only wish I had had one in my early new mothering days!

 ***Reprinted with permission from the Natural Family E-Newsletter.  If you don't receive this e-newsletter and would like to, register for the New Parent Toolkit up in the right hand corner of this page.  You will receive two issues per month of the Natural Family E-Newsletter with full articles, recipes, nutrition tips, environmental tips and more!!!

 

a new bedtime ritual

Fannie moved into her big girl bed last week and a few days into it developed a new way of saying goodnight to me.  After nursing, we read a bit, say prayers and I tuck her in, snuggling up with her for a few minutes before leaving the room.

One night I leaned over to kiss her and this is what happened next as she proceeded to smother me with soft little kisses with the heavy breathing only found attractive in 2 year olds:

"mom, I will kiss your mouf,

and your forehead,

and your cheeka,

and your uva cheeka,

and your nosy,

and your eye,

and your uva eye,

and your chin,

and your ear,

and your uva ear,

and your mouf,

oh, and your forehead again."

And she does this now every. single. night.

(Insert sigh of calm here.)

What are your favorite bedtime rituals?

Gluten Free Waffles

Upon waking this morning, I was told, "we are hungry for waffles".  OK, gotcha, I'll get right on it.

Truth be told, I love waffles, too.  There are times when I purchase the Trader Joe's GF waffle mix, but really dislike paying for the packaging, when the ingredients for GF waffles are so inexpensive.  I do love the oat flour based waffle recipe I use, but this morning I nailed the new favorite GF waffle recipe, adapted from Betty (Crocker) herself.  **Another thing I love is remaking her simple recipes with healthier, more nutrient dense ingredients**

Gluten Free Waffles with a shout out to Betty Crocker

**This recipe was easily doubled and made 8 big, light and fluffy waffles.

2 eggs

2 cups GF flour mix ( 1 1/4 c Brown Rice Flour, 1/4 c White Rice Flour, 1/2 c Tapioca Flour)

1 3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup melted butter

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp guar (or xantham) gum

1/4 tsp salt

Beat eggs in bowl, then add all other ingredients.  Pour into waffle iron until golden brown.

This morning we served our waffles with pomegranate seeds and cottage cheese...oh, and warm cider, too!

With all the Thanksgiving prep we have today for our guests tomorrow, a good hearty breakfast is what we needed!

How are you starting your Thanksgiving Eve?

 

abc's of Thanks and Giving~ and a little extra giveaway

Over the weekend I already began to see and read bits and pieces of what people are thankful for...that has to be my favorite part of the holidays. Watching people connect, I mean really connect, is not  something we see enough of on a daily basis.  Hearing people genuinely thank others, or as a friend of mine teaches her children, watching people genuinely show thank you to others, really lights my fire.

Let me entertain you with a list of what I am especially thankful for and where/how I will give more of myself throughout the coming year:

a)  my marriage

b) generosity

c) checking in with integrity

d) good intentions with equally as good follow through

e) patience

f) understanding

g) my children

h) my family

i) wine with my cousin on Saturday night

j) conversations longer than fifteen minutes with my husband

k) learning how to better communicate with family

l) realizing my ability to empower others

m) realizing my ability to rally others

n) tapping into my ability to connect others

o) sharing my experiences with others

p) the many helpful people who have shown up for me in 2010

q) the many people who remained patient and kind during transitional and transformational times in 2010

r)  the listening others do for me

s) the listening I do for others

t)  the spirit of keeping home

u) the creation of new possibilities in my mothering

v) the endless opportunities just sitting at my fingertips

w) the philanthropy of time and energy

x) date nights

y) right now, this education for my Sunny

z) the land of ice and snow, the seasons and Mother Earth's relentless ability to keep me on my toes

So I have a little gift to give.  I would like for you to share with me what you are grateful for this year and how you plan on giving of yourself in the year to come.  In return, I will randomly generate the recipient of a 30 minute massage therapy session with yours truly.

I will close comments on Friday, November 26th at 8 a.m. and announce the winner.

 

postpartum support

The other day I had an interview with a local mama who is looking for postpartum support specifically under the category of nourishment.  She is due with her third child within the next month and is looking for help in having healthy meals made for them in their home for the first week or two following baby's arrival.

I completely commended her for thinking beyond the birth, because so few of us actually do.  When I work with a mom just as a birth doula, she can never understand why I want to talk for at least an hour about her postpartum plan...and then, post baby she is delighted ( to say the least) that we had that conversation.  There are many things that one can prepare for when you know help is not necessarily around the corner for your postpartum survival, maintenance, and success.

This mama's concern is that she has moved here recently and has yet to establish a circle of friends, there isn't a lot in terms of family around, and they are gluten and dairy free.  The children she has are old enough to help themselves to prepared snacks, but not old enough to do the preparing themselves.

I also shared with her some of my favorite tips for best supporting her children during the labor/delivery as this is a homebirth and they will be present, along with household management tips for them after the baby comes.

We will meet within the next two weeks again so I can get acquainted with her home, kitchen, and pantry.  In this session we will also make a list of favorite meals and snacks, get a handle on where the like their shopping done ( they are co-op shoppers, yeah!!!) and take a look at what we'll need to tackle first after baby's arrival.

There is nothing I enjoy more than supporting a mama in this lovely transition to holding a new life.  There is always much to be done and when I can leave her tucked in and quiet to enjoy the new babe and some rest, there is nothing like it.

If you are considering postpartum support, check out my website for the many options available.

Recent Moms Club Questions...

One day last week I was invited to visit a local Moms Club chapter to enlighten them on all things healthy living...which I love to do, I might add.  It's super fun to be in a space with other moms doing things outside the home that fill them right up to the top.  They have great questions, are really curious and are always looking for the next step in their mothering/parenting.

We did something I love this time instead of the typical lecture presentation...I answered the specific questions they asked in a group coaching atmosphere.  This way everyone learns from everyone else and it's really fun.

Remember, I am not a medical professional, so I do not diagnose or prescribe, though I can definitely refer to those who can work with specific issues and speak to topics outside my scope, which I also love to do.

Below are the questions they had for me that day:

"Any recommendations about sibling rivalry?  I am sick of hearing, "it's not fair..."

"What are your thoughts on overscheduling kids with sports that are sports and/or considered good exercise?  My children are 9 and 7 and swim on a team 3x/wk?"

"I have run 20+ miles per week for six months and have not lost a pound...what's up with that?"

"I am always out of energy.  I know I deprive my body from the right nutrients (self proclaimed bad eater and I don't consume enough water).  What do you recommend eating (quick fix for me) that does not require a lot of prep?  I have three kids and always put myself on the back burner and suffer from it."

"What are some factors that may be causing hair loss/thinning?"

"I am confused about what vitamins I should be taking and what vitamins my children should be taking.  One is a good eater and one doesn't eat very much."

"I have been using an over the counter for my constipated four year old.  Are there better natural ways to get him to poop with food, drink, etc?"

"Do you recommend taking natural progesterone?"

"How do we minimize chemicals in our home for our children?  Is BPA-free canning going to go mainstream soon?"

 

Aren't these questions awesome?  You know you can resonate with at least half of them, right?  If you have a Moms Club, Reading Group, Wine night with the girls and you'd like to try out some health/life coaching, it would be a blast.  I love moms, I love to read, and wine is always great.

 

a big girl bed

After six weeks of both beds in Fannie's room, she quickly made the transition all on her own, deciding, that indeed, she was a big girl.  **sniff, sniff**

She was delighted to see me bring out the allen wrench to take apart the crib and quickly ran to get her own tool box, hardly able to spit out her words she was so full of excitement!  With her screwdriver and an empty basket to collect the hardware she said over and over, "we are piecing apart my crib!", and was so stinkin' proud of herself in the process.

When I returned from hauling the pieces into the garage, she said to me, "Did you see my new room?  I have a rug, I have a changing pad ( her sheepskin), I have a 'puter (typewriter), and all my uva sings."  So with my heart running around on the floor in front of me, I held her hand as she showed me around this new space and laughed to myself that the only change that was made, literally, was the removal of her crib.

Now, to ignore my pining uterus for a bit longer as it suddenly feels as if there is no longer a baby around...

Back to the subject:  Before & After photos for you!

Before

 

After

 

I can't stand the thought of her growing up a second longer!

 

shrimp scampi...yum

Last night I was craving spaghetti, meatballs and caeser salad...until I began craving shrimp scampi.  Not sure where that came from, but I happened to have shrimp in the freezer, yippee!

I hadn't made this in at least 10 years...in fact, the last time I made it I was housesitting and the gal I housesat for frequently, who knows I love to cook, invited me to invite my friends for a dinner party while they were gone.  So fun.  Wine, shrimp scampi and chocolate are all I rememer about the night, except, of course, the friends!

I looked up the recipe I used and remembered I added some extras, which I did last night and I know you will love this, too.

Shrimp Scampi

1 bag gluten free spaghetti

1 1/2 # frozen large shrimp (set in cool water to thaw)

2 T olive oil

1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

1T chopped fresh parsley

2T lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1-15 oz can diced tomatoes with basil

3/4 cup cream

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.  Cook shrimp, basil, parsley, lemon juice and salt in oil for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until shrimp are pink and firm.  Lower heat.  Pour in cream and tomatoes, stir until warm, then add parmesan cheese.

Serve with caeser salad, sprinkle with parmesan and you're good to go.

No leftovers tonight.

 

an interview with Eileen Parker of Cozy Calm

Cozy CalmWelcome Suzanne, thank you for joining us!

 

What are you doing in business and why?

This is one of the very few jobs I am capable of.  Since I have autism, working in an office environment is difficult to say the least, which makes my work suffer, and makes my spirit drown.  I also wanted to be home when my children got home from school; I wanted to be home if one of them was ill; I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom with a job.

So, I started a manufacturing company, Cozy Calm, making weighted blankets, and it turns out that I have a knack for business.  I love it!  My children are older now, and to this day, my kids know they can call me, they can stop by, and I can still make birthdays special.

It has been a tremendous growing experience for my kids.  My daughter said the other day, “Mum, I’m proud of you.”  I looked at her.  She continued, “Since I am on my own, I understand what you did for us.  Now you’re being an example for us about what is possible.”  I was floored.

What would we find you doing in your downtime?

Did I mention I have kids, and two step-kids?  J  Hubby and I spend time with the kids, time with each other, and time to delve into each of our own interests.  For me, that is reading or calling my mom, my granny, or my sister.  The four children range from 16 to 30 years old, and believe me, the parenting never stops.  Notice I said above that I call my mom, because it almost always turns out that mother really does know best.  It helps that she is insightful and a smart cookie.

Share something fun we might like to know about you...

I don’t know if I have ever told on the internet about the world I grew up in—a remote village in northern Canada.  My Dad was a meteorologist, so as a toddler I moved to a village on Attawapiskat Lake, which is just south of the caribou and polar bear areas very close to Hudson Bay.  I ate moose, ducks, fresh fish (as in an hour old), ptarmigan, wild blueberries, and more.  Of course, we ate food that was flown in also (There were no roads.). 

The Hudson Bay Store did a booming business from the fur trade.  Some trappers still used sled dogs, Ojibwe was the town language, I learned how to write in syllabics at school, and Old Emily Wabasse told me ancient tales, legends really, that I remember still. 

This was in the mid-sixties—a point in time that made this a unique world.  Due to satellite internet, mp3 players, and the English language, it doesn’t exist anymore, rather, it has changed into something new.  Many of the elders who knew life before forced boarding schools, like Old Emily, are long gone. 

But I remember.

Do you have a little something for our readers?

I will give two 25% off coupons for weighted blankets, which is a huge discount for us.  They will be one time use coupons, one for each winner.  Any order over $55 gets free shipping.