All Natural Mint Lemonade

4-6 lemons

4 sprigs of fresh mint

20oz cold water

1/4c stevia

Yields 1-2 servings

I use a juicer to extract the lemon juice, but squeezing them by hand works just fine too. It just takes a little more work. Chop and add the mint and water. Add stevia (or other natural sweetener) and stir. The trick is adding more water or sweetener to your desired taste. I like a strong mint taste as well so I recommend lots of mint!

When I'm watching my weight I love this drink. Water gets boring and sometimes I want just a little more flavor. This is a easy way to get tons of flavor without sacrificing calories. This large mason jar has about five calories. Research has shown that one of the benefits of mint and lemon is weight control.

Enjoy!

New Baby Thoughts

Sylvia Kaye- 2 Months

In light of recent family events ( the birth of Sylvia and two new nieces), I wanted to share a few things that have really helped me get through these first few months with my new little bundle of joy.

1.) Get motivated!
  If you have a shoe basket and at the bottom of that shoe basket are your running shoes....you're probably feeling large, out of control, and headed for your 16th "snack" for the day. Since our big move to Idaho I've really been trying to schedule in some mommy time. I've written down a food plan and committed to cardio exercise at least three times a week. Even if that means walking around the neighborhood while packing around baby in the carrier. Physical activity (at the right pace for your healing body) can do wonders for your mood and baby's!

2.) Got milk issues?
   Lactation woes are all too common with new mommies, but a few things that I have found REALLY help my milk supply, are drinking LOTS of water, high protien, and Traditional Medicinal brand Mothers Milk tea. Aqua is kind of a obvious solution, but the high protien diet I wouldn't have guessed. I've been drinking a supplement called Muscle Milk that 20grams of protien per bottle! I sampled some of my mom's and now I can't put it down (the supplement, not her breast milk. She's not even lactating)...Anyways, the Mothers Milk tea is sold in most grocery stores. Two or three cups a day of this herbal, organic, and caffiene free tea is guarnteed to increase your milk supply quicker than you'd expect.

3.) Don't be a hero, go for the drugs!
  This has been a little motto around our house lately. Drugs meaning anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication. The baby blues are becoming more common especially in those women who already have a history of depression and/or anxiety. You want to be the best mommy you can be and it's important to be honest with yourself about how many changes you can handle at once. I was on a low dosage of anti-anxiety medication during my pregnancy and after baby girl came I discussed my mood decline with my OB and she suggested uping my dose. It has made a world of difference. I can be a better mommy when I've taken care of myself first! Mental health should be a top priority!

4.) Listen to your mommy instincts!  
   Stop Goggling about your baby's milestones, how much she should eat, weigh, sleep etc. Parenting books are based on generalizations and although they can be very helpful and point you in the right direction they should not be used as the letter of the law. You have a bond to your child that no one else does. Relax and watch for your babies cues about she needs. A routine is a good starting point, but don't beat yourself up if you have to adapt to baby's needs. As women we want to do everything right, especially when it comes to parenting. The truth is we are going to make ALOT of mistakes before we get the hang of things. Whether it's your first or your seventh child, each baby is different and has unique needs. Listen to advice with an open mind, but don't be so hard on yourself when baby has a hard time latching or she cries for 20 minutes before dozing off. Do YOUR best. That's all that matters. ( And yes, I do realize I just gave you advice about not taking advice.)

5.) Did you think to pray?
  I'd like to say that each morning the first thing I do is kneel beside my bed in peace and quiet and pour my heart out to my Heavenly Father. The truth is I rarely have adequete time, peace or quiet to pray before my day is set in motion by my crazy three year-old or hungry two month-old. It can be very difficult to find the right moment to express my concerns and thanks to my Father in Heaven. I'll admit that sometimes the first opportunity I have to be alone is while I'm sitting on the toliet. My point is, that on the days that I invite God into my parenting endeavors things seem to be just a little eaiser. I have more patience, more will-power, more love, and more optimism throughout the day.

   Parenting is a HUGE challenge, but nothing will bring you more satisfaction, more understanding, or more love than being a mommy. Keep the big picture in mind and the little things won't seem so bad. Snuggle that little bundle every chance you get and remember, "This too shall pass."

Nelya 2 Minutes-Old

The Reality of Imperfection and Humanity

It hit me the other day while sifting through super cute blogs, that although blogging can be very therapeutic and fulfilling it can also be somewhat decieving. The reader is only exposed to what the blogger WANTS them to see. The material is only as honest as the blogger is willing to be. It also depends on the audience I suppose. I find myself censoring much of what I REALLY want to say because I'm afraid of who will read it. So I'd like to devote this post to the reality of MY life.

The majority of my time is spent unshowered, in my comfies (that I only wash when I can visibly see that they need to be washed), my face covered in zits, while sitting in my living room.

I've been attempting to potty train this little angel for almost a year now...

...and she still poops in her pants daily....

....I've threatened to spank her if she has an accident....

....chances are, if you walk into our house at any given moment...this is where you will find my daughter. I swore I would never be one of THOSE parents who stuck their kid in front of the TV all day....but I get pretty lazy, and this is easier.

...I've struggled with depression and anxiety since I was a teenager. I attempted to treat my symtoms with drugs and alcohol for roughly six years. I've pushed away painful emotions by eating compulsively and I fight it daily, I've gained 20lbs in a year. Yup....

...I leave my daughter alone maybe longer than I should.....

...after almost four years of sobriety my husband relapsed on perscription pain medication that I had been perscribed after having a miscarriage. Addiction is a part of our lives. It sucks, but when I look at it from an outside perspective I find myself cracking up about the whole thing.

..against medical adivce, I suggested he tough out withdrawls. I dragged him to yoga with me and sought the advice of a certified herbalist to help with the detox. It's amazing what you can get your husband to when he's in the dog house.

I can't afford to dress trendy or stock up on craft supplies. I don't have a beautiful photography talent and I've never ran a marathon. I yell at my kid and say words in her presence that two year-olds probably shouldn't hear. I procrastinate and I although I am passionate about lots of issues I rarely live up to my own advice.

Like most woman I like to be surrounded by beautiful things. It's nice to look at someone's slide show of goodies in their life but, sometimes it's hard to relate to perfection. I love the gospel and I know the church is true. My testimony is my lifeline. I don't expect Heavenly Father to solve my problems or make me happy...but he makes things bareable.

"...but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." -1 Corinthians 10:13

I have to work at my happiness. I have to work for good grades. I struggle to be patient and kind. I feed my child candy and processed foods on a regular basis. I judge others too quickly because I am insecure. I am imperfect, but there is a beautiful thing about imperfection; I need help. I am in need of healing.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficent for all me that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things becoem strong unto them." -Ether 12:27

I look back on the spiritual progress that I have made in my life and I can honestly attribute every step to the guidance of my Savior Jesus Christ. I approach each new phase of my life thinking "there is no why I can do this," and some how I make it through, stronger and wiser. I love my fellow bloggers. They are encouraging. They motivate me to become better. I am grateful for the stories that expose they person behind the blogger. I'm thankful to be a part of this community. It's helped me to develop my talents and helped me open up. I hope that others feel comfortable asking questions and sharing similiar experiences. I also hope I do not offend anyone, as that is not my intention. With that I'll pass....

An Herbal Approach

When my daughter, Saylor, was about eight months old she was diagnosed with urinary reflux. The condition is characterized by the back flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys causing urinary tract infections, most commonly found in young children. My daughter contracted two UTI’s before she was properly diagnosed which resulted in scarring of her kidneys. Because UTI’s can be prevented by taking antibiotics, our insurance would not pay for a minor out-patient surgery (deflux) that would correct the problem. The prophylactic antibiotics do not heal the affected area, but rather they simply treat the symptoms.

An annual exam called a VCUG, is performed to determine the severity of reflux and labeled by grades 1-5, level 5 being the most severe. A radioactive solution is inserted into the urinary tract via the urethra and viewed on a type of x-ray monitor reveals if the fluid is staying in the bladder or flowing back into the kidneys. Saylor’s reflux has worsened from level 2 to level 3 (grade 5 is pictured left). Normally, urinary reflux entirely self-corrects by the age of 5. Obviously Saylor’s reflux is not improving and long-term use of antibiotics is not the best solution.

I was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of having my daughter on antibiotics for an extended period. I was/am concerned that the antibiotics would weaken her immune system and its ability to function properly once she stopped taking the medication. I recently visited a local herbalist to seek out an alternative. After explaining the situation and consulting with the herbalist she recommended a blend of herbs that can treat and prevent UTI’s.

She explained that her daughter suffered from frequent urinary infections when she was young and successfully treated the infections with the same natural herbs that she recommended for Saylor. The simple blend that she offered was a combination of uva ursi (bearberry), marshmallow and pipsissewa. I figured we would at least try it and if it didn’t work we still had the antibiotics on hand. The main ingredient, uva ursi, is a natural astringent that has been used since as early as the second century to treat bladder and urinary infections. Pipsissewa also possesses natural infection-fighting qualities without any risks. The medicinal property in the herb, marshmallow is its ability to reduce inflammation.

A little over three weeks ago we discontinued the use of the antibiotics and began administering the tea. I prepare the mixture like a cold tea. I use running hot water to steep it, shake vigorously in jar and then refrigerate it.

The herbalist recommended that Saylor drink as much as possible, but roughly half of a cup a day at least. Because the herbs are fairly bitter, I mix the tea with cranberry juice which also helps to fight urinary tract infections. Cranberries are rich in polyphenol antioxidants and phytochemicals that boost the immune system and posses anti-adhesion properties that flush E. coli bacteria responsible for UTI’s. It’s not my daughter’s favorite thing to drink, but she keeps it down and we are excited to see the progress. I will continue to track the effectiveness of tmy herbal solution, but as of right now I have high hopes. I am eger to explain to Saylor’s Urologist during her next appointment that we have chosen a different route for our daughter and that we were not restricted to one opinion.

*More information on herbal remedies can be found at www.SWHerb.com

*Southwest Herb is located at 148 N. Center street in Mesa, Arizona and frequently holds free seminars. *SW Herb 480-694-9931*
*They are extremely helpful and will most likely offer you a free cup of tea while you are browsing!
<<----My stinker, Saylor