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Such incredible yumminess

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Inexplicable Ways

I tried this raw chocolate mousse at Earth Fare.  The gRAWnola guy was doing a “cooking” demo although, of course, there is no cooking required and he let me scrape the bowl.  This recipe is beyond yum.

  • 3/4 cup dates soaked until very soft with pits removed
  • 2 avocados
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 3/4 cup cacao powder
  • 1/2 cup agave

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until very smooth.

The recipe card I picked up doesn’t credit anybody so apologies to the raw chef I’m not crediting.

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Solid Food Poo Meets the BG Diaper Sprayer

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Inexplicable Ways

I feel like “Kung Fu Fighting” should be playing in the background as I type. 

Cedar is enjoying solids.  I have mixed feelings.  Because solids = poo that doesn’t rinse out in the wash.  My life has gotten more complicated.  Enter the bumGenius diaper sprayer.  I didn’t have one of these gadgets with Norah.  My “dealing with the poopies” method with her was decidedly low-tech.  Hint:  it involved toilet paper.  Thank you, Katy and John, for gifting us with the fancy schmancy sprayer!  It attaches to the toilet and we (and by “we” I mean “I”) spray the poo into oblivion. 

Of course, since I frequently shoot for the stars, I chose to feed Cedar some blueberries.  Yeah.  I wanted to put the sprayer (and my stomach) to the test. 

That said, after Marion’s presentation on EC at the Blessingway today, perhaps I won’t have many poopy diapers in my future.  We shall see.

So what does the wee soon-to-be-7-month old eat?  She loves avocado, apples, zucchini, carrots, butternut squash to name a few.  I don’t follow many of the food rules.  I don’t introduce one thing at a time.  I don’t mash it all into oblivion after reading about gag reflexes and spoon feeding.  For instance, I steam the carrots and then bite off tiny pieces so she can play with them and chomp.  The only thing she has refused was barley.  I ended up eating it all.  Which is the beauty of making baby food–I’m willing to eat it too.  This morning she devoured part of my whole wheat banana pancake.  All in all, she’s an enthusiastic eater with many adorable mmmm sounds and blissed out faces. 

And finally, I have it from a lovely medical professional that Cedar is perfect.  I mean, I knew that.  But it is nice to have it officially stated.

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Red Lobster on Wade Hampton Rd in Greenville

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Inexplicable Ways

What a friendly place!

Not only do they serve great food but they also provide a complimentary cloth napkin to put over your baby’s head!

Yes, it is true.  Free cloth napkins so that no one else in the restaurant has to see a baby eating his meal. 

This week, at our friendly Red Lobster, my dear friend nursed her fretful baby.  After she finished, the General Manager popped over and placed a cloth napkin on my friend’s table.  Ms. Helpful Manager patted it and said quietly, “In case you want to nurse again.”  And then fled to the kitchen. 

It seems Mr. and Mrs. Old Grumpypants a few tables away didn’t appreciate seeing a baby nurse and complained.  Rather than offering them a different table, Ms. Helpful Manager chose to embarrass a mother. 

I have some thoughts.  (Surprised?)

1)  Don’t mess with mothers of babies.  Period.  It is the most difficult role on the planet and should be treated with respect.

2)  It really doesn’t matter what you THINK about nursing in public.  Nursing in public is protected by SC LAW.  I don’t really like that my neighbor shoots guns in his backyard but he is protected by law.  Nothing I can do about it.  You don’t like it?  Don’t look.

3)  Again…many babies won’t nurse under cover.  And (see #2) they don’t have to. 

4)  The World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others recommend that babies be fed “on demand.”  That means that the baby knows when he’s hungry better than we do.  So let the baby eat when he chooses–regardless of convenience or audience.

Please remember:  breastfeeding would not be such a big deal if it was a normal part of our daily interactions.  The more mamas who nurse in public, the less likely that my daughters will be made to feel ashamed one day when they nurse my grandchildren. 

If you work in a business:  leave the mamas alone. 

If you’re uncomfortable around a nursing mama:  see my post on nursing etiquette. 

Kudos to you, Red Lobster.  I give you the BPA-laden, plastic bottle of formula award.

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The Treats

Posted on October 31, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

Halloween is my husband’s favorite holiday.  Something about Autumn+Candy+Cartoons+Costumes makes for his perfect day.

From our first year of marriage, I’ve been making ghoulish Halloween treats to celebrate the day.  This year, I wanted them to be a bit healthier.

My spinach hummus graveyard:

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The swamp juice and Jack:

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The swamp juice is made with tapioca pearls with a swedish fish floating about.  I had planned to use seltzer water and lemonade but found a drink called “Snow” I wanted to try from Amazing Savings.  It was yummmm.

Jack is a gutted orange filled with fruit pieces. 

Scott drew the line at the raisins I wanted to hand out as treats to trick-or-treaters.  We settled on bags of pretzels and candy.

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And never smell of barley water

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

Your Mary Poppins reference for the day. 

Barley has a long history as a lactogenic food–a food that supports lactation.  My current favorite way to increase lacto-potential is to make fennel/oatstraw/nettles tea with barley water. 

To make barley water, I put 1/4 cup of barley in a quart of water.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  The remaining water makes my tea.  I’ve found a yummy way to eat the barley itself.  I mix it with pineapple, maple syrup, and cinnamon and eat it warm. 

Meanwhile, why would a nanny smell of barley water?  What was she using it for??

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Gooseberries and Nesting

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

I’m 37 weeks pregnant.  Needless to say, there are heavy matters on my mind.  I have a ton ‘o things to do and I’ve taken nesting to an unsafe level. 

<Pause>  Let me interrupt to brag on my husband and father who, under the influence of a melting-down, estrogen-crazed pregnant woman, have performed mighty feats of remodeling magic in my house.  They really didn’t have a chance when faced with a crying belly bump girl.  Thanks o men of my dreams!!  <Continue>

So, since my to-do list is long and weighty, I thought I would blog about small celebratory things. 

First, summer fruit:

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Ok, I know.  Rhubarb isn’t a fruit.  But I celebrate it all the same.

Second, my salt cellar:

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I don’t know why my salt cellar (and the tiny olive wood spoon) brings such contentment.  The small things, I suppose.  A bamboo box for the sea salt and the kosher salt.  What a thing of beauty.

The to-do list will be there tomorrow.  The extreme nesting will continue to compel me to do things like clean the hot water heater with a toothbrush.  Tonight I cling to my red currants and salt cellar.  But the end is in sight.   My queen-of-organization sister will come to my rescue.  She will.

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Quick Protein

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

Are you noticing a trend in my recipes lately?  “Quick.”

My friend, Erin, fed me this yummy “caramel” apple dip and I’ve replicated it a few times now.  It has become a staple during my last trimester when I need a fast protein boost.  I’m not a big fan of nut butters but this raw vegan dip is delicious!

6 Tbsp raw almond butter
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup raw honey
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 pitted dates (soaked)
pinch sea salt

mix it all together in a food processor/blender/chopper.

My sister thought it needed a little more “sweet” so I added two more dates the last time I made it.  Tasty, tasty. 

Slice up some apples and enjoy.  Thanks Erin!!

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Quick Breakfast

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

Breakfast is difficult for me.  Most of the time, I’d rather eat a turkey sandwich or bowl of soup for breakfast than cereal or eggs.  Ok, really, I’d like nothing more than to skip breakfast but we all know what a no-no that is.

I’m enjoying this quick recipe though. 

5-minute cereal:

2 tbsp quick cook barley, 2 tbsp bulgar, 2 tbsp oats mixed with 2/3 cup water.

Microwave 2 minutes

Stir in cinnamon (optional raisins or dried fruit)

Microwave 3 minutes

Then I add whatever I have.  This morning, I added sliced banana, maple syrup, walnuts, frozen blueberries, and coconut.  Finally, I stir in just a little bit of milk.

I don’t like oatmeal or most hot cereals but the bulgar and nuts gives just the right texture for my palate.

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Just another pregnancy update

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

img_7711-21I’m 24 weeks or is it 25?  I don’t remember.  I usually cheat and hop over to Jenny’s blog to check–she’s due the same day as me. 

Pregnancy-wise, everything is normal.  Nothing much to report.  My belly seems huge and I feel like I’m carrying high.  No more sleeping on my tummy.  I wish I grew those cute basketball bellies. 

I crave belly-rubs and my friend, Carey, obliges weekly with a heavenly rose-lavender oil massage.  This child is almost always moving which has become irritating at night–it keeps me from sleep.  I was never irritated by Norah moving. 

My only food cravings lately have been swiss cheese and crushed ice.  I continue to drink oatstraw/nettle/red raspberry leaf tea daily.  I’ve added DHA/EPA to the prenatal routine.  Like a good girl, I take my cal/mag before bed and drink some chlorophyll in my oj each morning.  I won some prenatal chewable vitamins which I was super-stoked about.  Until I tasted them.   

Some of you have asked about my birth plans.  I’m not really keen on sharing much online at this point.  I promise to post all the details after Cedar is born.  I will say that I am excited about birthing again.  I’m trying out Hypnobabies since I’m currently training as an instructor.  My one worry is that Hypnobabies is notorious for short labors and I don’t want mine to be too quick!  But Cedar will come as Cedar is meant to come. 

Scott has beautifully kept the gender a secret.  I don’t have a clue or an intuition.

In terms of doula-ing, I have a busy, busy summer ahead!  I have such a diverse group of clients in the next couple of months.  And I’ve already had inquiries about hypnobabies classes this fall.

I had the worst heartburn of my life today while out shopping.  Thankfully, I had some papaya tablets in my doula bag.  I’ve never taken anything for heartburn and I’m happy to report that the papaya worked withing minutes!  I know it doesn’t work for everyone.  But I won’t be separated from it for the duration of this pregnancy!

Currently reading:  Obstetrics Illustrated, Natural Pregnancy Book, The Art of Hypnosis, Holistic Guide to Embracing Pregnancy and Birth, and Eve.                  

Oh, and a fun little book I found at the flea market this week:

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Morning Couscous

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Inexplicable Ways

Some of you may have seen this recent recipe at Mothering.  I adapted it a little bit for my tastes.  It is really quick and yummy.  Breakfast is a chore for me.  I usually don’t want to eat it so I struggle to find things I will enjoy.

Stir together 1 cup of milk, 1 tbsp of honey, 2 tsp of cinnamon, and dash of nutmeg.  I might add some vanilla next time, too.  Bring just to a boil. 

Add 1 cup of couscous, stir, cover, and remove from heat.  Let stand 5 minutes. 

Stir in walnuts, chopped apples, and whatever else suits your fancy. 

You could do this with quinoa or bulgar as well but it would take a bit longer.  Still a quick breakfast though.  And, for me, I like the texture much better than oatmeal.

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