The Midwife Experience: Part 6

(Written May 19th..I'm a little slow these days getting posts together)
Ransom is 6 weeks old today!


Today was Ransom's final visit to the midwifery, and thus also my final visit - my mom tagged along.


I thought I would be much more sad than I am - but the kind of relationship I've developed with Stacey, Christy and even the receptionist, Lori, I feel as though our connection will continue.


And it sort of already has!


In August, Mat and I will likely be sharing our homebirth story at their homebirth information night. Plus we'll also be a part of their annual picnic!
Then before you know it - we'll be back again as clients with #2!


{For the purposes of this blog post, I thought I would share with you just a few images of the midwifery here in Quinte so that any of you in the area consider getting your prenatal care with them, you can see the kind of warm, welcoming, so un-clinical kind of environment you'll be cared for in.}


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On another note, seeing as how I've finished this series on "The Midwife Experience", and I've completed my series on "Why Doula Care" AND though I'm going to be continuing with my series on "Cheaper, Greener" I've decided its time for this lil ol blog to be moving on.
I'm going to have a fresh start with this blogging thing. So hold on to your britches, because after these messages, we'll be right back.

Cheaper, Greener Products - Deodorants & Antiperspirants

For a change of pace I'd like to highlight just a few products we don't bother to make on our own but we buy them & I'd like to rate their effectiveness for you.

And since the weather is getting warmer what better place to start then your armpits!

Deodorants & Antiperspirants:
Over a year ago I learned that the antiperspirant I was using contained aluminum which can be linked to breast cancer & even Alzheimer's. Though the debate still rages on with the conclusively of these links, I wasn't about to take any risks with my own health. (If you were suspicious that someone had spit in your soup, would you eat it anyway?)
With Mat on board for switching, I began a month of testing out different pit sticks, right at the peak of summertime in the 35+ humidity. Thank goodness it didn't take me long to find the one that worked best!

Aluminum Free Deodorants

I started with Tom's of Maine. I didn't have the best of luck with them. They were great on days when I wasn't really out moving around but even just short walks I didn't find it would hold up so well. However, in the wintertime Tom's of Maine has worked fabulous.
Mat never used Tom's of Maine, which was probably for the better since he was doing a lot of yard work & gardening & I don't think it would have held up for him.

My next product test was a deodorant crystal from Bulk Barn. Nothing more than a simple salt crystal...Mat was the first to use it & with all his time outside, labouring in the hot sun, he loved it. Even on the hottest of hot days he would come in stink free!
I started using it after his success & have never turned back. It has never failed me once. And only on the rarest of occasions has Mat said he's had to 're-apply'.

Note: In case you aren't aware, there is a difference between deodorants & antiperspirants. Antiperspirants make you stop sweating, & these contain aluminum. Deodorants, don't stop you from sweating, they only make the sweat smell stop. Some deodorants may not contain aluminum though they do have other health hazardous ingredients.

Tom's of Maine & the deodorant crystal will not stop you from sweating. Sweating is the way by which your body naturally cools itself off. Personally I have found the deodorant crystal HAS been effective for the most part in minimizing how much I sweat though. I can't promise the same result for you.

Cheaper, Greener Recipes - Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Soup

It's been raining here the last couple days, and apparently it's not going to stop anytime soon.

To me, rainy days mean soup.

Before Ransom came, I made tons of different soups and froze them, for those nights when we didn't have the energy or time to make a meal from scratch. The failure on my part was that I didn't label any of the soups. So every time I pull one out, it's a surprise!

Last night it was this Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Soup - total yum!
This recipe came from our friend & doula, Sarah


Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Soup
2 TBSP olive oil
1 cup each chopped onion & carrot
3 cups peeled & chopped sweet potato
1/4 tsp each of ginger, & chili flakes
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup red lentils
5 cups veggie broth
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 TBSP maple syrup

Directions: Heat oil in a large stock pot and cook until soft. Add the carrots & sweet potatoes. Saute for 5 minutes.
Add ginger, chili & cinnamon & saute for 1 minute.
Ass lentils & stir to coat with oil.
Add broth & bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium/low & simmer for 20-25 minutes.
Puree soup in food processor & return to stock pot to keep warm on the stove.
Add lemon juice & maple syrup.
Reheat when needed

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Notes: I always seem to forget the lemon juice & maple syrup part...try not to do this as it does make a taste difference. Also, DO NOT add more ginger unless you are wanting to get such a ZING of ginger flavor. 1/4 tsp is just perfect.

Whys & Whats: Sweet potatoes and red lentils are just such healthy food choices. Loaded with vitamins, & iron. Also notice that there is no added sodium to this recipe, other than what would already be in the veggie broth you use (unless you make your own)

Our Assessment: YUM! I double this recipe so we can freeze half for another meal later on - which is so worth doing since peeling sweet potatoes is not that much fun...& you might as well since you have the food processor out anyway.

Dilemma

So right now we're in a bit of a dilemma with Ransom's sleep habits.

As it stands his sleep routine it pretty regular - which is great for predictability. However, our dear precious son, WILL NOT sleep or nap on his own.

He MUST be held. Put him down (even while in deep sleep) and he will wake up screaming, and will not stop until he is picked up again. This is a getting to be more and more troublesome with each passing day. I am literally attached to him 24/7, unless someone else can hold him.


But this isn't all, the real dilemma is this - we've found it to be true that the better he naps, the better he sleeps at night...so, if we let him 'cry it out' for nap time (not by leaving him, but by putting him down and just holding him gently in his bassinet) it feels like we're shooting ourselves in the foot for bedtime (we co-sleep, which isn't a bother right now because of breastfeeding) and its bedtime when our patience would be at an all-time low.

So what do we do?

We need help.

I wish someone could just come over for a day and train him to sleep in the bassinet for us. I feel like it would be / has been so much easier for everyone else I know.

Help! Suggestions! Encouragement! Wine!

Cheaper, Greener Recipes - Chickpea Patties

It's hard for me as a vegetarian to feel like a good guest when invited to someones home for a meal & having to tell them I don't eat meat. I feel like I am inconveniencing them & had they known I was vegetarian, they wouldn't have invited me over.

A sweet couple from our church invited us over for dinner & I had really hoped we could connect well with them & I felt I may ruin our chances when I told them I don't eat meat.

However, they cooked us a fabulous meal - so delicious in fact, I NEEDED the recipe afterwards.
I was scared by how lengthy & time consuming it looked. (I made the recipe below a lot more simple than the original recipe was) And I was very flattered that they had gone through SO MUCH work just for little ol vegetarian me.

It took me a long time to try this recipe for myself...but once I did I wondered why I ever took so long to give it a shot!

Chickpea Patties

A little margarine or butter
2 chopped onions
4 garlic minced cloves
1 TBSP cumin
1 1/2 cup chickpeas
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 eggs
2/3 cup flour
spices (whatever ones you'd like)

Directions: Heat margarine in a frying pan, add onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
In a food processor, blend chickpeas, sunflower seeds, egg, onions, garlic & cumin.
Put mixture into a large bowl & fold in flour & spices.
Using floured hands form into patties.
Fry in a frying pan (with or without margarine) being sure to do both sides.
Makes about 8 patties

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Notes: Adding more spices is a good idea. The above recipe does not contain all the spices I tend to use because every time its just a little different depending on what I have in the house that day. I tend to go for basil, thyme, sage, marjoram or even dill or oregano.

Whys & Whats: These patties are greatly loaded with protein from the chickpeas, & don't have any added unnecessary sodium!

Our Assessment: These are great just to eat on their own or as a replacement for hamburgers. They would also be delicious with a dill sauce but I have yet to find one that I am satisfied with.

Mother's Day Fail

I am very blessed to have a mother who is also my best friend, and what a fail on my part to not share just how awesome she is, especially on my first mother's day when I have finally learned the joyful pain of motherhood!{Mom & Ransom taking their mid-morning nap}

I'm not going to be too hard on myself though, I spent most of the day with my mom, and the rest of it with a discontent infant. I think that was the best mothers day gift I could have given my mom - an infant to cuddle, snuggle and love - and what a mothers day gift for me - free arms, and a little peace! :D

{My two men making me breakfast for Mother's Day}

Over the past five weeks of learning to be a mom, my mother has been faithfully by my side, and at my beck and call. Bringing groceries, taking Ransom while I go shopping, folding laundry, keeping me company and giving me rides. She's spoiled both me and Ransom and overall, she's helped me keep my sanity - which is more than a bouquet of flowers can show appreciation for.

Hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day

Cheaper, Greener Recipes - Cream of Celery Soup

While starring at a yummy casserole recipe that I so badly wanted to make, I was disappointed by the sodium loadedness of all the ingredients. And I considered what I could do to make this casserole less sodium laden...I started with the 'filler' the 'cream of soup'. I decided to make my own and see how it would work. Not only was it easy but it is just plain good!

Cream of Celery Soup


Ingredients:
2 cups skim milk
1 1/2 cup finely diced celery
2 chopped onions
2 tbsp margarine

3 TBSP flour
pepper to taste
3 cups milk

Directions: In a large stock pot put in first amount of milk, onions, celery and margarine. Bring to a boil and simmer until onion is tender.
Mix flour and pepper with 1 cup of the second amount of milk until no lumps remain. Stir into simmering celery soup mix & let boil & thicken.
Stir in remaining milk & heat & serve!

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Notes: The milk thing is confusing. Pay attention if you're like me & a little on the less than brilliant side. If you are planning to use this as a 'cream of' in a casserole, DO NOT add the last 2 cups of milk at the end, otherwise it will be too thinned out.

Whys & Whats: So a lot of casseroles call for a 'cream of soup' - well this makes a great substitute thanks to its lack of salt, fat & preservatives.

Our Assessment: Though I originally just made this to go as the 'cream of' in a casserole, this is a great soup too!...and now I'm hungry again.