Have you noticed, I haven’t posted any pictures of Jaxson since oh…January maybe?  I have a confession: I’m embarrassed. I haven’t even taken many of his 3rd and 4th month :-/

See, it started when he turned 3 months old, he got one red spot on his little chubby cheek. No big deal, I thought it was just chapped cheeks from the extreme cold weather we were having at the time.  As the weeks went by it went from the size of a dime to the size of a quarter and then spread to his left cheek.  They both grew, started to ooze and scab. They itched him and I’d wake up to his crib looking like a crime scene since he kept digging at them throughout the night. It got bad, really bad. I tried various lotions and advice from fellow mommies. It began spreading to creases in his arms and legs. I eventually took him to a doctor that thought it was a yeast rash, but that medicine did nothing.  It just kept oozing and scabbing. I took him for a second opinion and he said, “Those aren’t yeast, that’s eczema that’s gotten  infected.” And thankfully, antibiotics got it under control to where it at least wasn’t oozing. But, the redness is still there since the cause of the eczema is still unknown.

We’re now playing the guessing game called, “What is Jaxson Allergic to?!” Let me tell you, I hate this game. He has only had my milk so whatever is bothering him is in my diet most likely (I suppose it could be something environmental). I’ve taken out dairy for starters since I noticed a flare up after having a glass of milk. I’ve taken out gluten. Now I’m wondering if it’s a nut allergy since when I drink my milk I mix it with chocolate Almond milk. And since taking out dairy and gluten I have heavily increased my nut intake to substitute and he’s still getting flare ups. We’ll see if this is the winning answer.  We are seeing an Allergist this Tuesday (on the day he turns 5 months old…*sob* Where is the time going?! Slow down time!) and while I know tests can be inconclusive at this age I’m really trying to be hopeful they can give us some answers.

I just want his cute little cheeks back!  I know it’s silly of me to be embarrassed by them, but I know people look when we are out in public and they ask questions.  I think it goes back to that fear of judgement that I have, like because he has these rashes I’m not doing something right or enough to take care of him. But, I know that’s not really true. Food allergies are common and I know I’m doing a lot to make it better, from appointments to drastic changes to my diet.  I gotta learn how to let these judgement issues go, eh? I can only do the best I can do!

Can I tell you though, he has grown so much since you saw him last (even you, my personal Facebook friends). He rolls and scoots all over the place. He’s lost all his dark hair (well, except one little V in the back) and he’s growing in some cute blondish-brown fuzz (feels like a tennis ball, I love rubbing his head!). He has my eyes, but also looks a lot like Savannah as a baby. He is a  super happy, smiley baby still. Everyone comments on what a great baby he is. He has started to really giggle and laugh when we play games, it’s great :-) Savannah is still my big helper and loves to be with Jaxson. His sleep is still wonky some nights but over all much better than it was. Maybe one day soon I’ll be brave and post his cloth diapered bottom-red cheek-blue-eyed cuteness.

Do you have any food allergy or eczema advice?

I think it’s funny how my favorite foods expand as I grow older. I used to not really like broccoli or asparagus growing up, but now they are my favorite veggies with and in just about anything (within reason, of course, like pastas and stir fries or as a side dish to dinner. But, waffles and broccoli? No thanks). Same goes with cheese. I’m still not a huge cheese fan,  I can’t handle a lot at a time like lasagna or certain kinds like ricotta…but I eat a lot more of it in general and try different kinds than I would as child, or more than my own Dad will even now.

My newest discovery? I love spinach. Like, love it. I’ve eaten it just about every day this summer since friends introduced me to ways to eat it that is appealing (the cooked spinach I’ve seen like Popeye? Isn’t so appealing). My obsession started back in May with a spinach basil quesadilla a friend made me along with a homemade strawberry vinaigrette salad with soy nuts.  And, soy nuts? I hadn’t heard of them and normally only like peanuts, but soy nuts are fabulous on a salad!

And then, another friend made a spinach strawberry walnut salad last month with a raspberry vinaigrette. Yes, there is a difference than the one I had in May because it had real strawberries on it, not just nuts, and it was made with spinach leaves rather than lettuce. It took my love to a whole new level.  That is another new thing, fruit on salads never appealed to me until I actually tried it. And surprise! Spinach leaves tastes just like any other darker lettuce and I figure it’s a good way to get the iron I need for my growing boy. And since then, me and my spinach have been best friends for practically every lunch.

Since having my first spinach quesadilla, I’ve been perfecting it to my taste the past few months. My favorite way to make it goes something like this:

-A whole wheat tortilla in a greased pan (I use olive oil spray) on medium heat

-While tortilla is warming, add a light layer of shredded mozzarella cheese

-Break pieces of grilled chicken (I used the pre-cooked strips like Purdue Shortcuts) and fresh basil leaves (we have a plant outside, I wash and use about 3-4 leaves total) and place around tortilla

-Sprinkle of Herbs de Providence, onion powder, and garlic powder (this is what took the flavor the extra step of goodness!)

-Layer of raw spinach leafs (I used the pre-washed bagged stuff)

-A little more basil leaf pieces, another layer of cheese, and a top tortilla.

-Allow to cook until bottom tortilla is a golden brown, then flip and brown the top layer

-When everything is browned and melted perfectly, I use a pizza cutter and start munching!

The Strawberry Salad is super easy:

-Place washed raw spinach leafs in a bowl

-Throw some soy nuts on top (I found mine at Bloom, but I’m sure they would be at a health food store and I’ve heard even Walmart has them)

-Add fresh chopped strawberries (I was out when I took the picture above, sadly. The sweet berries with the sorta-salty soy nut is an amazing combo)

-Add your favorite raspberry or strawberry vinaigrette (I’ve been trying out different store bought ones, right now I’m using Newman’s Raspberry Walnut).

Sometimes I take fresh strawberries and puree them with the raspberry vinaigrette for an even better tastes-like-homemade dressing. I still use this little baby food guy for my puree needs even though we’ve been done with baby food for years. Love it. I’ve also heard people use walnuts, pecans, feta cheese, cranberries, etc. if that’s your thing. That’s what’s great about quesadillas and salads is that it’s so customizable!

And at least I’m craving something healthy everyday, right?

The Pregnant Woman’s Rights

1) Every woman has the right to health care before, during, and after pregnancy.

2) The right to receive care that is consistent with current scientific evidence about benefits and risks. If the practice is harmful or ineffective then it should be avoided.

3) The right to chose a midwife or doctor as her care provider.

4) The right to chose her birth setting from her safe options available.

5) The right to leave her maternity care giver if she becomes dissatisfied.

6) The right to know the qualifications of those involved in her care as well as to know when those involved are trainees.

7) The right to receive care in privacy and to have all information treated according to the standards of confidentiality.

8) The right to full and clear information about risks, benefits, and costs of any and all procedures (drugs, tests, and treatments)

9) The right to accept or refuse any treatment, drugs, or tests. She also has the right to change her mind at any time. (This one is usually only true as long as the mother or baby is not in a life or death situation.)

10) The right to be informed if she or her infant is enrolled in a research stuffy and the right to accept or deny participating.

11) The right to access any and all of her pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, and infant records.

12) The right to receive care that is appropriate for her culture and religious beliefs, as well as to receive information in a language she can understand.

13) The right to have any family members and friends she chooses to be present in any of her maternity care.

14) The right for advance information on risks and benefits of any and all available methods of pain relief. She has the right to refuse or accept any and change her mind at any time.

15) The right of freedom of movement during labor and the right to deliver in any position she desires.

16) The right to uninterrupted time with her newborn, so long as both she and the baby are healthy and do not need to be separated for care.

17) The right to have information on breastfeeding, to refuse any supplements or actions that could interfere with breastfeeding, as well as have access to lactation support.

18) The right to decided with the caregiver when she and the baby can go home.

I saw this on a fellow November Mommy’s blog and had to re-post it. With Kaylee I was 16 and had a great, easy pregnancy and birth. I was induced on my due date and had an epidural, pushed for an hour and the entire thing was over in about 12 hours. I assumed Savannah’s would be the same, and to an extent it was. I was induced the day after my due date, had an epidural and delivered within 12 hours again. However, with Savannah it felt different. I was only 3 years older, just 19, but I wasn’t satisfied this time with the birth. This time, I was this little girl’s mom. Not just a woman who gave her life, but her Mom. I had the choice to breastfeed her this time and start to fill that parenting role. But, I wasn’t allowed to breastfeed her right away, I didn’t get to until midnight 3 hours after her birth! This time the epidural  left my back bruised and aching for weeks, a pain far worse than where it should have been hurting. Reflecting on it over the past 3 years I realized that I wanted a birth that I was an active part in, not just laying in bed waiting for things to happen. I want it to be an empowering experience, knowing that I made it through the pain with hard work, preparation, and support.

So, I’m doing things differently this time. I’ve been seeing an obgyn until now in the pregnancy as we made sure this little guy would “stick.” I needed the ultrasounds to help calm my fears and tests to be done to help me relax. Now that I’m 14 weeks, I’m breathing a lot easier and ready to quit being just a number on a doctor’s chart. I’m tired of waiting 45 minutes to be seen for only 5 minutes, only to hear the heartbeat and then she leaves. I went to my first midwife appointment last week and we talked for an hour about my history, diet, everything. My obgyn doesn’t have time for that kind of caring, but I’m glad I’ve found some one that does!

And here’s a shocker for some people: I’m not giving birth at a hospital. No, it’s not my house, but it’s a birthing center 5 minutes away. My exams are on a twin bed with sheets rather than a stiff paper covered exam table. I’m going to labor and maybe even give birth in water. I’m not going to be induced with medicine or have an epidural. I’m going to use hypnobirthing to manage the pain. I’m going to hold my baby until I’m ready to let him go to be weighed. I’m going to breastfeed right away if he wants. I’m going to have as many people in the room as I want. I’m going home just hours after birth instead of waiting around for 2 days. I’m going to sleep in my own bed and not have nurses prodding my belly all night. I’m simply doing things much like women have successfully done for centuries and what they still do in other countries. It feels empowering already.

I’m not saying this way is the best way, everyone has their own vision of birth and what they are comfortable with. But after 2 births, I know that I personally felt something missing from the experience and this is the right choice for us this time around. I have actually been scared to tell certain people (like family) that I’m doing things differently, because using a doctor and hospital is simply standard these days and midwives are thought of as not safe (which isn’t true, do the research. It’s actually safer with way less infant mortality and c-section rates!). It’s definitely a choice that goes against the grain of society, but I’m going to take advantage of my pregnant woman’s rights and do what I feel is right for us.

This week has been a rough one. Ya know the kind. A kid wakes up sick and crying, sheets and jammies are changed, just in time to be changed again. Fun stuff. And then parents (in this case mostly Mark, he knew I had to finish school), because they spend time taking care of their precious little one, catch it too. And it’s just a domino effect. Boom, boom, boom. Everyone’s down for the count.

The stomach bug.

Especially when 13 (now 14) weeks pregnant, and you can’t keep hydrated and contractions start. Not fun. We’re all okay now (heard baby’s strong heartbeat again yesterday!), but man, I hate this stuff. Thank you GOD that it’s over.

But all this to say, I’m glad we have a little book called “The Moose with Loose Poops” because I think it helped all of us understand what’s going on in our bodies, even us 20 some year old parents. Of course, I didn’t think to pull out the parent’s guide when we were all sick, but we survived. I won the whole Dr. Hippo book series from Design {for} Baby in a giveaway several months ago and Savannah loves them even when not sick. They talk about common illnesses like cold’s, earaches, sore throats, stomach bugs, fever, in a story that helps them understand what is happening and why. We love them and their worth checking out (they are on Amazon) if you’re looking for some new kids books. It’s educational, but fun too.

On a happier note: in exactly a week I will be a graduate! Right now I will sporting a graduation cap and gown, a belly bump, and surrounded by family. So exciting to finally reach this huge milestone and goal in life :-) Just 3 exams and a portfolio standing in my way…

And an even happier note: with graduation comes a new direction.  What will I do after I graduate? Stay tuned to find out my new goal! Ya know, besides growing a healthy baby and being a great mom and wife. A goal for me.

The O Momma Recommends series is based on products that I find helpful in daily life, that I’ve discovered my self, and have not been paid or supplied the products to review.

I’m 100% positive I have Candida (over growth of yeast) which is what causes my acne and the sudden onset of skin issues starting last year.  I’ve tried various things: Healthier diet, fish oil pills, Candex pills, a colon cleanse, switching make up, and resorting to typical acne medicines like benzoyl peroxide. All of which helped to lessen my issue but I’m still not getting to the root of the issue: yeast in my gut.  It’s hard to kill, yall.

So, I’m embarking on yet another new adventure with apple cider vinegar. Have you heard about how awesome apple cider vinegar is? It’s got multiple uses, everything from shiny hair to house cleaning to weight loss to digestion issues.  I’ve even used it to get rid of planters warts and it worked. This website lists some of the uses and how to use it for each, great stuff. Anyway, so as I’ve become frustrated again with my acne (it has it’s up and down phases, but still overall better than it was a few months ago) I’ve been doing research again. I’ve read about ACV for months, even used it as a toner for a while (which Mark hated because of the smell!), but wasn’t brave enough to drink it like many people recommended.  Until today. I decided that the benefits are well worth dealing with the taste and seeing if it helps.

I’m sitting here with a mug of hot water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. And really? It’s not too bad! It reminds me of apple cider with a kick. I’ve always like vinegar type stuff anyway (salt and vinegar chips, anyone?) so maybe that makes me more prone to tolerating the taste better than others, but I don’t think it’s that bad as long as its diluted enough.

I’ll keep you updated :-)

I’ve had several people asking about the agave peanut butter cookies I made for my birthday so I thought I’d share with everyone! I made the dough Thursday night and baked them on Friday.   I’ve made peanut butter cookies before (not using agave) without refrigerating the dough first and let me just say, it was much easier this time with the dough chilled. These turned out really well, they tasted exactly like other recipes I’ve made using regular processed sugar, and perhaps even more moist and tasty!  The only thing I might add next time is more peanut butter. I like my cookies to burst with flavor and even with the chopped nuts in it, it needed  more peanut kick (the same thing happened when I made regular peanut butter cookies last time) so I indulged in adding a tiny bit of a home made peanut butter frosting on top (using powdered sugar since I couldn’t find an agave frosting recipe online. If anyone know of an agave frosting please share). I also halved this recipe because I do not need to eat 5 dozen cookies by my self. So in short: these are tasty and could fool anyone who didn’t know it wasn’t a typical recipe!

Agave Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2C butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup honey OR agave nectar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups WW flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped peanuts

In a large bowl combine butter, peanut butter, honey (or agave), vanilla and egg. Beat thoroughly.

Stir together flour and baking soda. Add to peanut butter mixture and blend. Add peanuts and mix. Chill dough several hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 325F. Oil a baking sheet.

Drop dough by level tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let stand for a few minutes on baking sheet before removing to wire racks to cool.

Makes 5 dozen. NOTE: If using HONEY this would go under the 3 grams sugar rule. Broken down this would give you approx. 48tsp of honey, you are making 5 dozen, (60 cookies), broken down, this will give you 3.02 grams of sugar per cookie.

Source: 3fatchicks.com forum. They have a ton of great healthy recipes, but this is the only one I’ve tried so far.

P.S. Curious what agave is?  It’s a natural alternative to sugar from an agave plant. It’s very similar to the texture and sweetness of honey, but without the honey taste.  It’s a low glycemic sugar substitute so diabetics can use it, and I chose to use it to limit my intact of processed sugar and even though I am not diabetic I try to follow a low GI diet for my acne’s sack. I hate artificial sweeteners for their bitter after taste and for just how bad they are for your health, and this is neither of those!  It can easily be found in local health food stores like Trader Joes, Earthfare, etc. for about $5.

I’m home.

I got there at 11, they took me back pretty quickly to get changed and an iv started (which I had to go through twice!  That was the most painful part, ugh. It was worse than the times I had it during child labor)  I was touched that the dr (never met before) said a prayer for me, the baby in heaven, my children here on earth that they would know God as they grow, etc. before he left. It calmed me a lot knowing he was a Christian too and I felt like I was in good hands. Mom was able to come back after I was settled in and we waited and talked until 1:30 when they took me back (they were running late).  I was starving and it sucked.

They gave me medicine through my IV before I was even wheeled to the OR and by the time I was down the hall and saw the room I was already feeling tired.  I remember they moved me to the operating table and put an oxygen mask on and the next thing I know I was waking up in recovery an hour later.  I wasn’t in pain (and still not), just tired. And when I realized where I was I started crying. That all this was over, the remains of my babies tissue were gone, that I was no longer pregnant, etc.  The nurse was very sweet and rubbed my back and gave me tissues.  Every person that took care of me was amazing and made the process so much easier to have great people around me.  I think some one commented, either here or elsewhere, a prayer  that angels would be with every person that worked with me, and I truly felt they were. I felt in very good hands.

I was moved to second recovery soon after I woke up where my Mom joined me and I got the best tasting ginger ale and crackers ever (lol I was so hungry). I had no nausea which was good, they kept warning me about it and I know friends and family that react badly to it but I was fine.  I was meeting all the “requirements” to go home easily and felt good so by 4:30 I was able to go home. I got soup on the way home from Panera Bread and was able to eat some of that.

Savannah snuggled with me after dinner, she was upset I can’t lift her up or play right now so snuggling satisfied her.  I’m doing really, really well. Seriously, very little pain, mostly none without even pain meds. I’m just tired and taking it easy and loving being able to just relax.

Thanks for all the prayers! They are truly felt right now, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  I’m not in any pain and feel at peace, even when I get a little teary-eyed some times that all this is over.

1) The word “delicious” should not be associated with Kidetox, as it says it is in it’s brochure.   Herbally tasting? Maybe.  Borderline gross, but drinkable if you immediately follow with water? Absolutely. But not delicious. I’m betting parents would have to fight with kids to swallow this every morning.  However, the probiotics that are like chewable vitamins do taste good.

2) It’s the last night to sign up for the Crayola light up toothbrush giveaway!  ( And another giveaway coming tomorrow!)

It’s been awhile since I’ve talked about my health changes, so let’s up date shall we? Well, after a few weeks of eating relatively healthy, I’ve reached a point that I’m not so careful anymore.

It was our weekend away (and therefore having to eat out the whole weekend) that started this.  And then it was the 12 hour long school days where I have to eat fast food on campus to survive through the day.  And then, I just got lazy.  Why cook my own healthy meal when my MIL has a meal already done?

I haven’t completely reverted back to eating whatever crap I want. I still don’t drink coffee and use an alternative to sugar when possible.  I eat pretty much only whole grains if possible, no high fructose corn syrup, I eat fruit pretty much with every breakfast, etc. But, if I am craving a chocolate bar or oreos? I eat it (but usually don’t pig out like I used to). If we go out to eat?  I don’t pick a salad or sandwich, I go for the fried chicken or pizza.

Anyways, my skin hasn’t changed dramatically or anything. I still have acne all over my cheeks.  After doing lots of research I truly, truly think that my skin issues (which has evolved to me even being allergic to my wedding rings!) root in having digestive issues. I’ve always had digestive problems growing up so my system surely is loaded with toxins just sitting inside and therefore escaping through my skin.  So, my next step is to do a colon cleanse.   Again, doing research, I decided that the Colonix program (don’t click the link if you are squeamish) would be the best for me and all the testimonials (both on their website, other non-affiliated websites, and even a friend of a friend!) assured me that a colon cleanse can help clear acne.  I ordered the kid version though, because 1) it’s cheaper 2) I hate pills and I have trouble with taking them 3) I’m small. Like, I’m the same size as my 11 year old brother so I thought the dosage would be more suitable for me in the kid form.

It finally arrived today so I will be starting the process tomorrow. I’ve read testimonials that capture every nasty detail, day per day. I’ll save you from that fun, but I do plan to update if I notice changes.

Here’s what I hope to accomplish:

- Acne (stop the active acne, fade scarring)

- Clear up rash on neck (the dr. this week told me it might be psoriasis) and other skin allergies

- Better energy, better sleep

- Lose the gut (seriously, stuff is just sitting in there!)

That’s a lot to hope for in one product, but we’ll see.  If the 100′s of testimonials are true, then I have faith it can be done.

Also, I’ve had some readers asking for products that I do recommend that are natural and not full of chemicals. I’m still learning/finding products myself, but I do plan to share the ones I’ve found soon.  My latest purchase (today) was an all natural mineral foundation from Larenim (did you know that not all mineral make ups are equal?! Bare Minerals has cancer causing agents in them, too! ) So, I will try it out and do a review soon.

I’m frustrated.  The more I do the research and more that I try to live a healthier life style…I keep getting slapped with the hidden truth and reality that my country (the USA) sucks at being healthy and therefore makes it difficult to be healthy.

Exhibit A: It’s now known that there is mercury in high fructose corn syrup (in addition to all the other risk factors of HFC). Which, makes me even more thankful that I’ve changed my diet and haven’t even touched HFC in nearly 3 weeks. But, my husband and daughter still eat whatever they want.  My daughter I could make the choice for her, but my husband? He’s set in his ways, he could care less and probably thinks I’m crazy for the holistic approach I’ve taken to life recently.

Exhibit B: I figured I’d get rid of the toxic products I’ve been using for years as well and traded my .99 cent Suave shampoo for a $8 Burt’s Bee’s shampoo.  The label sounded perfect, not only would my hair be full, voluminous and smell fabulous but it’d also be paraben free, SLS free, etc.  I was willing to spend $8 to get rid of those nasty cancer causing chemicals.  But oh, wait!  I went to Skindeep (cosmetic safety database) and decided to see if it truly was “better” and healthier than my cheap Suave. Guess what? It’s not. (See here for Burt’s Bees Very Voluminous rating, here for Suave clarifying) it has the same rating of moderate toxicity.  Sure, the label on Burt’s Bee’s is clear of harsh chemicals and looks perfect, but they hid the toxic stuff under the label “Perfume.”  Companies are allowed to not list “trade secrets” and they hid the crap under that secret code name.

Ever look at the ingredients of your make up or shampoo bottles?  Have you ever gone to cosmeticdatabase.com and looked at the facts in the face that just about every product that touches our skin is linked to cancer? And people wonder why our kids are dying of cancer at a young age, why it’s becoming like an epidemic, or why couples are more and more being diagnosed as infertile?  THIS is the reason, folks (or at least one of them). Because the companies we use ever single day are being allowed to put harsh chemicals in our products with no repercussions.  Sure, they may say it’s not that much used in the product but when we use them day after day, year after year it builds up. And why, if these chemicals are so bad for us have they not been banned? Europe has banned them. WHY NOT US?

I’m finding that more and more, as I do the research, that our lives are saturated with pure nastiness. Our face washes, house cleaners, laundry detergents.  You know that famous Johnston & Johnston baby shampoo you are using on your precious baby at bath time? Full of toxins. Even the food we eat! You would think shopping at a health food store that all the products they carry would be chemical free and safe, right? Wrong!  Some lotions clearly have parabens in them on their labels.  Companies like Burt’s Bees, Jasons, 7th Generation, Method, etc. that claim to be natural can still have harmful toxins. Why are companies stooping to these low levels? Oh, I know because they are more concerned about money than about the quality of products and health of their customers.

I’m just sick of this. Sick. I have read way too many blogs lately about kids dying from cancer all of a sudden. I’m tired of letting the beauty industry tell me and millions of other girls and women what products to use that will make us more beautiful, less wrinkly, smell great, etc. when really all the products do is lead us closer to death.

My point in sharing this with you folks: Do your research. Don’t continue living in a life saturated with chemicals that may harm you or children, now or later on in life.  Don’t let the beauty industry (or any industry) fool us any more, stand up with me. Get mad with me. Let’s change it.

P.S. I’ve received several comments from people upset that I’ve stopped blogging. That means a lot to me that I’m missed!  But I promise, I will continue blogging, but just need a break to let go of the pressure of having to do it. So from now on when I blog it’s because I want to, like with this post.

More Resources:

-Environmental Working Group

-High on Health

-America the Beautiful Documentary

-Food Matters Documentary