Trying
To Conceive Trying Not To Conceive
Addicted To HPT's (Home Pregnancy Tests)
Sweet Poison
How You Can Give Your Baby The Best Start In Life.
Maternity Style Tips For The Casual Dresser.
College Funding Now Made Easier
The Herstory of Bones
Trying
To Conceive.
Trying Not to Conceive©
by Karen Squires
I've just turned 40 years old. That means that I've spend over 20 years thinking about my fertility. Sometimes my goal was to achieve pregnancy, other times I wanted to prevent it. Either way, I discovered there are many ways to monitor fertility naturally.
One method is by using a tiny hand held microscope used to view saliva to determine your fertile period. These microscopes are about the same size as a tube of lipstick so you can carry them around in your purse. The simplicity in this method of testing is wonderful. No more collecting urine for ovulation predictor kits. With this tiny microscope you simply lick the lens and wait 10 minutes for the saliva to dry then view your results. A woman's saliva changes in the 3-4 days leading up to ovulation. During those few days electrolytes (or salts) increase dramatically in body fluids (e.g.. cervical mucus and saliva) along with the hormone estrogen. This causes a ferning-like pattern to occur in dried cervical mucus and saliva. The ferning is caused by the dried salt and looks much like the frost seen on the window on a winter morning. A few days before ovulation you will start to see small lines about the width of a hair and about 1/4 of an inch long. There may be just a few or there may be many of them. The quantity is not as important as the presence of them. You are now approaching ovulation. You should now test at least two times per day. Soon you will see the presence of more lines and they may become longer. The patterns may take different shapes, i.e.: veins in a leaf, snowflakes, spider's web, frost on a window pane. The lines will connect and overlap, this is the ferning pattern you are looking for. This means you are starting the ovulation process and now is the best time for relations. Continue to test at least two times a day. On any other day in the cycle the dried mucus or saliva will look like random unconnected dots. The fertile type ferning will return to a dot pattern usually about 2-3 days after ovulation. Some women report no ferning the day of ovulation, you will learn what is normal for you after a few cycles. When a combination of dots and ferns are present it is called a "transition" pattern the woman is less fertile, but conception is still very possible. A little hint; don't wait until the last day of ferning to do the "baby dance" as you may have missed the egg since ferning may continue for 2-3 days after ovulation. If you wish to conceive, have relations as soon as you see the fertile ferning and continue until it passes back to the infertile dot pattern.
Researchers have been studying the changes in cervical mucus during a woman's cycle since 1945 and fertility clinics and doctors have been using this method of determining fertility for decades. In 1969, Dr. Biel Cassals, a Spanish gynecologist, studied the crystallization of saliva. In 1971 he developed a microscope to check for ferning in saliva. Since then many hand-held microscopes have appeared on the market and range in price from about $29.99- $60 on average. I use the Lady Q as I love the small size, about that of a compact lipstick, and with the battery operated light it is easy to read your results.
If your child has a microscope you can use that. 100-200x magnifications is all that is needed. I've even used a loupe that's used for looking at negatives. It is only 8x magnification and I could see ferning. The saliva microscope is more convenient than your child's microscope though, as they are portable and your child may not appreciate you spitting on their toys.
Along with checking saliva for ferning you can use other fertility signs to either avoid or achieve pregnancy. The Natural Family Planning method includes using a temperature chart that records your basal body temperature. Your basal body temperature is you body's temperature at rest. This chart can help you determine if you are ovulating each cycle and about when it happens.
During the first part of a woman monthly cycle, called the follicular or proliferative phase, the egg is maturing under the influence of estrogen. The estrogen continues to rise as the egg matures. When the estrogen reaches a certain level it triggers the release of LH (Luteinizing Hormone) which causes the ovary to release the mature egg. The second phase of your cycle now begins, called the luteal or ovulatory phase. After the egg is released from the ovary the follicle that held the egg will collapse on itself becoming a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces progesterone for the remainder of the cycle. Progesterone does three things. It prevents any more eggs from being released that cycle. It thickens the uterine lining in preparation for the fertilized egg. And it causes the cervical mucus to become infertile again along with changing the position and conditions in the cervix. Progesterone is a heat producing hormone and causes a slight raise in your basal body temperature. Your temperature chart will show this temperature rise usually about 12-48 hours after ovulation. If no pregnancy occurs the corpus luteum deteriorates about 12-16 days after ovulation and your period begins. The first day of your period is day one of your new cycle.If conception does occur the egg will travel down the fallopian tube to the uterus, a journey that takes 3-4 days. It floats around in the uterus for a few more days and then attaches itself to the uterine lining about 7-10 days after ovulation. It then immediately releases Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) into your blood stream and signals the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone and you will miss your period. It is HCG that home pregnancy tests (HPT) detect in your urine and you may get a positive as early as 9-12 days after ovulation. Pioneer Valley Hospital offers free pregnancy testing Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm. Wait until your period is late before getting tested.
After you have charted your temperature for about 3-4 cycles you will be able to determine when ovulation may occur and plan around it. If trying to conceive you will want to do the "baby dance" during the days immediately before ovulation. If you are trying to avoid pregnancy you should abstain for about 5 days before ovulation and about 2-3 days after.
In order for the temperature chart to be of use to you you need to take your temperature at the same time every morning before getting up, so if you have an erratic schedule this may not work for you. You will need a basal body temperature thermometer. It is more sensitive than a regular thermometer and can detect very small changes in body temperature. They can be purchased at drug stores for around $10.
One down side to the temperature chart is that it lets you know after ovulation has occurred, not that it is going to. So if you are trying to conceive don't wait until after the temperature rise to have relations as you will actually be practicing birth control. (This is where the saliva testing comes in very handy as it lets you know that ovulation is on it's way.)
Most chart examples show 28 day cycles but know that it is not an indication of a fertility problem if your cycles are longer or shorter. What matters is that your luteal phase (the second part of your cycle after ovulation with the temperature rise) is fairly consistent in regards to the number of days from ovulation to menstruation. If you usually have a 13 days luteal phase you should see that same pattern within a day either way, every cycle. (Your luteal phase should be at least 10 days long, some doctors say 12, in order for the egg to implant and signal the ovary to continue production of progesterone. You may have repeated early miscarriages if it is shorter). The first part of your cycle when the egg is maturing, can fluctuate from 3 weeks to 5 weeks, without alarm. It is not uncommon for women to ovulate on Day 14, Day 18, Day 21....irregular cycles are common.
Natural Family Planning also recommends that you include some other methods of checking fertility along with the temperature chart. You can check your cervical mucus as it can give you signs that ovulation is on it's way. Leading up to ovulation cervical mucus becomes fertile and will look much like clear egg white from a raw egg. If placed between a thumb and finger it will stretch quite far, 1-or more inches. After ovulation this type of mucus goes away and becomes white and pasty, dry, yellow, or any combination of that. Reading cervical mucus signs can take a few cycles to learn. I have only given you a tiny bit of information on how to do it. You'll need to read about this some more to know what to look for.
You can also check cervical position. Close to the time of ovulation the cervix becomes softer, moves higher, and opens up. After ovulation it moves back down and becomes hard and closed. Wash your hands before checking your cervix.
Another
way to monitor fertility, and an expensive one, is ovulation predictor kits
(OPK's) They have become the rage for women trying to conceive. A kit usually
contains about 5 tests and costs $15 or more. You use one a day around the time
you expect ovulation to occur. They look much like pregnancy tests. You dip
the stick in your urine and lay it in the counter and wait for the results.You
will see a control line show up as the urine moves across the window. You will
also see a second line, called the test line, as ovulation approaches. An ovulation
predictor test differs from pregnancy tests in that with a pregnancy test even
a faint test line is positive and indicates that HCG has been detected and you
are likely pregnant. With OPK's the test line needs to be as dark or darker
than the control line to show that ovulation is imminent. I found OPK's to be
a waste of money. I have irregular cycles and so I could easily run 10-15 of
these per cycle before I got a positive. It was draining my pocket book using
these each month and I found it much easier to keep a temperature chart, and
monitor other signs that ovulation was approaching. Not using OPK's left some
of the fun and spontinaity in doing the baby dance since I wasn't quite sure
when the egg was going to arrive. Of course using the saliva detector is much
cheaper and easier to use so why waste your money.
Check out http://www.fertilityfriend.com.
Fertilityfriend.com allows you to record your temperature every day. It also
asks you what your cervical position is as well as what your mucus is like (you
can choose not monitor those if it makes you feel uncomfortable) among other
questions. It will tell you when you are fertile each cycle, when to test for
pregnancy, it will alert you to signs that you may be pregnant, when the baby
will be due, along with other valuable information. I have charted on paper
(which works very well too) for years and I still learned new things on fertilityfriend.
You get 30 days free so try it at the beginning of a new cycle. By the end you'll
have a much better understanding of your fertility. If you decide to continue
with on-line charting you are offered a membership at $10 a month, $25 for 90
days or $45 for indefinite use. You can continue to use it free but with less
options. It's fun and you'll learn a lot. BabyMed.com provides a similar free
service.
At first Natural Family Planning may seem like a lot to absorb and you may feel like taking a birth control pill is much easier. It does become easier soon enough though as you practice, and think of the benefits of keeping man-made hormones out of your body. If you want to minimize the amount of time spent looking for signs of fertility I suggest using the saliva detector and keeping a temperature chart. It's reassuring to know where you are in your cycle.
There is quite a bit of information on Natural Family Planning whether you are using it for contraception or to achieve a pregnancy. The book I've heard most women refer to is Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It has color photo's of cervical mucus and a blank master basal body temperature chart. Once you've read this book you'll be well on your way to monitoring your fertility and may become pregnant if that is your goal.
Another book that is a good source of information is The Infertility Diet. Get pregnant and Prevent Miscarriage by Fern Reiss.
Using Natural Family Planning can be as effective as the birth control pill.
This site http://midlifemom.com/ offers information and support on mid life pregnancy, empty nest syndrome, menopause, and many other issues related to the aging mom. If you find yourself pushing 40, and either already are or about to become a mom, come right on in, because your in good company.
FREE ARTICLE: You are free to publish this article on websites and print publications. You can also email it to friends and/or associates. We just ask that you include this information with the article and let us know where you published it. This article first appeared in The Wise Mother magazine, published in Salt Lake City, Utah. http://www.motherchronicle.com email karensquires1@msn.com
Addicted
to HPT's
(Home Pregnancy Test)©
By Karen Squires
If you laughed at this title, this article may be for you. HPT means Home Pregnancy Test and they are without a doubt, addictive. Alcoholics try to hide their addiction, so do women addicted HPT's. I know because I'm one of them.
I found HPT's at the dollar store for, you guessed it, a dollar. I was so excited. I only grabbed one test the first time I saw them. I ran home and used it right away. I got a BFN (Big Fat Negative). Of course I was only 7 days after ovulation so what could I expect.
The next day, after lying to my husband and telling him that I needed to run and get some shampoo, I was back at the dollar store for more. I bought five this time, figuring that if I ran one a day I would have enough to last until 12 days after ovulation. I always get a positive by 11 days after ovulation so I had enough to see if I had a baby in me this cycle. Two days later I had used them all up and was back at the store needing more shampoo. I bought another five tests. I was now 10 days after ovulation. Five more would last me until my next cycle started, which I hoped wouldn't come.
As I drove home I tried desperately to remember when I had gone to the bathroom last. I needed to hold my urine for at least 4 hours to let the pregnancy hormone build up. I remembered that it had only been about one and 1/2 hours. It was now 10:00 am, I'll have to wait until 12:30pm. I told myself that when I got home I'd do the dishes, vacuum, dust, paint the bathroom, anything to keep my mind off of running the test. I pulled in the driveway, ran straight to the bathroom, and peed in a cup. Another BFN. Dang it. I have no self control. I'll have to start all over again.
It's now 11 am. I have to hold my urine until 3 pm to let the hormone (if there is any) build up again. At 1:30 pm I run another test. BFN! Dang it all to heck! What is my problem. And I get frustrated at my kids not having any patience.
I decide to go to the mall to make sure that I can't run another test for a few hours. I am tempted to take a test with me to use at the bathroom in the mall just in case I can't control myself but I remember that I'll have my five year old with me which would make it hard to run a test there. Off to the mall I go having made it out the door without a test hidden in my purse.
I have now gone most of the day with out drinking as I don't want to dilute my urine and make what might be a BFP(Big Fat Positive) turn into a BFN by having too much water in my bladder. I am thirsty, frustrated and getting crabbier and crabbier by the minute.
We walk around the mall, me trying to get a peak at the baby and maternity things, but a five year old has no need for those so I don't even get a fix by doing that. Two hours later we are bored and my son is begging to come home and eat. I look at my watch. I can't go home yet, I just can't. I tell my son that I'll buy him something to eat, get him a toy, anything to stay there a little longer. He sees the desperation in my eyes and agrees to let me buy him a Hot Wheels car and some chicken strips. That uses up another hour. Soon he wants to go home again and no amount of bribing works this time. It's only been three hours now so I take the long way home. I keep hearing a little voice from the back seat telling me that I've gone the wrong way and a tiny finger points to the east telling me to turn that way NOW!
Okay, Okay, we'll go home.
It's been three and 1/2 hours and I'm so thirsty that I can hardly swallow. We pull into the driveway, I run into the house, down the hall to the bathroom, and run another test. Another BFN!!! Dang it! Dang it! Dang it all to HECK! Grrrr.
I had ran the rest of the tests by the next day at noon and since it was now 11 days after ovulation and I still hadn't got my BFP I knew that Aunt Flo and her dog spot would find me soon. On to the next cycle. I am going to have more self control next time.
A few days later I really do need some shampoo and tell dear hubby that I need to run and get some. He gives me a funny look and asks "Didn't you just get some a few days ago?"
I walk into the dollar store knowing that I'm safe from my addiction for another two weeks but as I walk past the HPT's to the shampoo I notice that they only have 20 tests left. I panic. What if they are all gone in two weeks, what will I do, where will I go. I grab all 20 tests and head to the cash register, kicking myself all the way there. When I get home I find a good place to hide them, way in the back of the closet.
My husband calls from the shower and asks me for the shampoo. I'm still in the process of hiding the tests and I call back to him, my mind still in an addictive fog, "Shampoo! What shampoo?"
FREE ARTICLE: You are free to publish this article on websites and print publications. You can also email it to friends and/or associates. We just ask that you include this information with the article and let us know where you published it. This article first appeared in The Wise Mother magazine, published in Salt Lake City, Utah. http://www.motherchronicle.com email karensquires1@msn.com
by Gail Schimmelpfennig
"Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards." -Soren Kierkegaard
When my mother had her hysterectomy at the age of thirty-eight, they didn't routinely replace missing hormones. Even though I was very young, I remember her distress over her intense hot flashes. I also remember her pride in her ability to "tough it out." Today she is eighty-two, in the final stages of Alzheimer's, bent low with osteoporosis, and her heart is failing. The research seems to indicate a connection.
For years now, women have been prescribed hormone replacement therapy to give them stronger bones, healthier hearts, possibly less risk of Alzheimer's, and relief from menopausal symptoms. Some women even sought hormone replacement to keep their skin firm and smooth. I always imagined I'd prefer to be as youthful as possible. I wasn't afraid to experiment with coloring my hair when I started going gray in my thirties. I exercised and kept up with the newest research on healthy eating. Why shouldn't I want to take advantage of the miracles of modern medicine to stay as young and healthy as possible?
As my body began the shifting menstrual patterns of perimenopause, I felt confident that I'd have hormones available, as soon as I decided I needed them. That made it easier to relax about my symptoms. Even a hot flash here or there wasn't enough to make me worry. Whenever I was really ready, I could start. Maybe I wouldn't be ready for a long time.
My diagnosis of breast cancer changed that. I learned after surgery that my tumor was estrogen and progesterone positive. That my body's hormones had "fed" the tumor.
It was a mixed blessing. Mostly good, since an ER positive tumor is more easily treated than those tumors that are not. Healthy breast cells respond to estrogen, and the closer to healthy my cells were, the more readily they might respond to treatment.
The down side was the fact that my hormone therapy, tamoxifen, would "block" estrogen from cells all over my body. I was in hormone withdrawal. Estrogen might never be safe for me again.
I even met breast cancer survivors who felt certain that their cancers had been caused by hormone supplementation for fertility. Hormones, it seemed, could also be a curse.
Apparently chemo has taken a toll on my ovaries. My final period was the month before my first chemotherapy treatment. It hasn't been a full year yet, so theoretically they could revive. But I don't expect them to, after reading the statistics. I'm considering myself in menopause.
And tamoxifen did give me global hot flashes. Mine start with a sudden awareness of increasing heat, especially in the face, neck, and chest, often accompanied by an urge to jump out of my skin and run away as fast as I can. These were so intense that friends were commenting on my red face. A hot flash was usually what awakened me in the morning, and they could come as often as every hour or two. Sometimes they awakened me at night. Could I manage to ride them out without help? For how long? For some women, hot flashes last for decades. I know two women in their seventies who still have them. What was safe to try?
I'm grateful to be a member of the baby boom generation. Just as we redefined youth and middle age, so we are now pioneering the frontiers of aging. My mother didn't have the chance to read about black cohosh, soy, chasteberry, flaxseed, or dong quai. But I did.
At first, I just let the hot flashes happen. I felt a need to know what they were really like. That way, if I tried something I could have a basis for comparison. After a couple of months of "baseline," I started taking black cohosh. Because it's herbal, it doesn't have an immediate effect for most women. The information I read said to give it 12 weeks, to see if it would really work. It took about that long before I noticed a difference.
My hot flashes are now warm glows. I usually don't remember how many I've had each day, because they aren't that inconvenient. Before, I was ready to strip down to my underwear and stick my head in the freezer. Now I can turn down the heat and unbutton my sweater. They no longer get me up in the middle of the night at all. In fact, since I've always been the cold type, I find I'm still more often too cold than too hot. I haven't given away any of my turtleneck sweaters or wool jackets. But I'll grant you that hot flashes are more easily tamed in winter than in summer. Hot conditions and stress seem to bring them on. Right after a shower, while I am hurrying to get dressed to meet a deadline or appointment, has remained "prime time" for mine.
The first black cohosh I tried was a formulation that has been used and tested in Europe for many years. After a few months, I picked up another brand because it was available the day I shopped and my old brand was not. It included chasteberry and dong quai. I'd read about these herbs as possible alternatives to black cohosh. The label suggested they might work "synergistically", and be more effective together. After experimentation, it's my unscientific impression that they are.
Not everyone agrees that large amounts of dietary soy are safe for breast cancer survivors. I have a friend, another survivor, who won't touch it. But I wanted to try this, too. There are plenty of delicious choices of soy foods available now, and populations who eat soy regularly are said to have little breast cancer and few hot flashes. Some research suggests that soy could help strengthen bones, help my heart, and protect against cancer. My oncologist said I should decide for myself, since he didn't have enough proof either way to advise me. I started eating soy foods regularly a few months after I started black cohosh, so I can't guarantee which has had the most effect. I have a friend who eats soy and does not take black cohosh for her hot flashes, and she finds soy effective by itself.
I started sprinkling flaxseed on my cereal this spring, when I read that it contains phytoestrogens that might help protect me against more breast cancer. When I became vegetarian in June, I read that it also contains important omega 3 fatty acids that meat-eaters get from fish, and that my body needs. I now grind a quarter cup in a little coffee grinder, and sprinkle that onto my breakfast each morning. I find it pleasant tasting, and I'm willing to make it a part of my diet if it can help me.
The decision to go vegetarian was based, in part, on my concerns that the growth hormones given to milk cows and other food animals to increase production might have contributed to my cancer. With all the meat and dairy I've consumed over the years, a lot of hormones could have accumulated in my body by now.
When the news came this summer about the hormone replacement therapy study being stopped because of increased rates of breast cancer, I realized that I was glad I wasn't on conventional hormone replacement. There's still a lot we don't know. Hormones are immensely powerful little molecules. My understanding is that they are capable of affecting cells in many parts of our bodies, not just in our breasts and reproductive organs.
I'll readily state that I'm not doing this alone. My doctors are as concerned about these issues as I am, and are doing all they can to help me. I'm taking medication to strengthen my bones, to reduce my "bad" cholesterol, and bio-identical estrogen in extremely tiny amounts to keep my vagina functional. And I'm doing all the lifestyle things I can; exercise, diet, and reading everything I can find about staying healthy and keeping my mind active.
I have questions that I may wait years to find answers for. Is bio-identical progesterone good or bad for a woman with a history of hormone-positive breast cancer? Am I giving my bones enough help? How is my heart really doing? Will I have any long-term effects from tamoxifen that we don't know about yet? Will I be able to avoid Alzheimer's? How safe are plant estrogens for me? Will my cancer come back?
Perhaps there's good reason for our bodies to slow down production of estrogen and progesterone at midlife. Perhaps healthy aging is just meant to be different from healthy youth. Perhaps we need to accept different standards for beauty, vitality, and femininity as we grow into our later years.
I look back and realize how much my hormones have given me. Hips, breasts, a healthy female body, adolescence, pregnancy, breastfeeding, my terrific daughter. Fibroids and menstrual cramps. Cancer.
Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of "The Wisdom of Menopause," maintains that our female hormones "drug" us towards mating, bearing and raising children, and putting the needs of others first. That menopause is when our bodies free us from this biological imperative, so that we can pursue the nurturing of our own spirits.
She could be right. I notice that I'm more inclined to draw my boundaries to protect myself than I was a few years ago. That while intimacy is still important, I now feel more need to spend intimate time with myself than I used to. The negative opinions of others don't devastate me as they once did. Of course, aging also brings a certain level of experience and strength. What percentage of these changes results from additional years and what from hormonal differences, I couldn't say for sure.
I know I am still a nurturing person. I know there are times when my small granddaughter prefers my arms to her mother's, and when there's nothing in the world more important to me than holding her. I know I still enjoy volunteering with Girl Scouts, and doing what I can to support the growth of girls in my community.
I am finding that I am still a feminine person. That my identity as a woman somehow exists beyond the level of estrogen in my ovaries. It even exists independently from the number of whole breasts I currently have. (Although I am fervently hoping to return to two before long.)
Will I find, when I approach my eighties, that I have not adequately protected myself from osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, and congestive heart failure? Will I find myself repeating my mother's life? Is that the trade-off I get when I refuse early death from breast cancer? I can only hope not.
Perhaps when we baby boomers reach our eighties, the word "crone" will be a huge compliment, encompassing wisdom, strength and perspective. (Wouldn't it be great to live in a society that values older women as much as it does young men?) Perhaps my generation will be the last to live with these edge-of-the-knife trade-offs, and science will have the answers we are now seeking. Perhaps all my prevention and my doctors' efforts will pay off, and I'll be as healthy as any octogenarian has a right to be. And if it can't happen for me, it'd better happen for my daughter and granddaughter, or I'm coming back to haunt some research scientists until it does.
A FAREWELL TO ESTROGEN
My favorite
poison,
pink champagne of desire,
you kissed me into womanhood,
filled my ducts with honey,
ripened my cells;
I dance to you,
remember
you with
a sway in my hips,
flush
on my face,
sizzle in my spine.
Why did
you
turn
from
nectar
to toxin,
feed
death
with her black sugarlips,
suckle cancer
at
my breast?
All
I know is
this final waltz,
holding
you in my veins,
tasting your warmth
dimming
fading
gone.
How
You Can Give Your Baby The Best Start In Life©
Tips to Power-up Your Nutrition and Enhance a Healthy Pregnancy
By Karen Curinga
You are your unborn baby's sole link to the "outside" world. Your mental and physical nutrition is vital to the health and well being of the life that is completely dependent on you. It is every woman's desire to give birth to a healthy baby. Today many women are choosing to wait to have children until they are in their thirties and, in some cases, in their forties. There are many ways that you can help insure that your baby gets a healthy start in life. This is also a good time of life for a woman to re-assess her nutritional habits and strive to make beneficial changes, not only for the health of her child, but also for her own well being.
Mothers-to-be typically need extras of just about every nutrient. Eating a diet full of living, raw fruits and vegetables (and juices made from them), nuts, sprouted grains and "good" plant based fats such as avocado, fresh coconut, olives, flax seed oil and olive oil and drinking plenty of pure water will provide you with all the nutrients and fiber that you and your unborn child need. You will be providing your child with the highest level of nutrients. Research has shown that when foods are cooked at temperatures of 118 degrees and above, all the life-giving force (found in enzymes) is destroyed. Enzymes are crucial to the digestion of food, so enzymes are then "borrowed" from other crucial functions in the body, such as healing, to digest this lifeless food. Processed foods are also lifeless foods that must be digested in the same way. However, processed foods also contain chemicals, additives, artificial colors, refined sugar and salt that render them toxic to the body.
Providing your unborn child with the best nutrition possible is a true act of love that only a mother can give. Consulting a physician on a regular basis is also very important to the well being of both you and your baby.
While eating a diet rich in living, plant-based foods and taking a multiple vitamin that is prescribed by your physician covers your needs for all the vital nutrients in general, there are a few nutrients that should be specifically pointed out as essential. Your awareness of these will help insure that you get adequate amounts.
Oxygen
I consider oxygen to be a "nutrient." One that most of us don't give much thought to. However, taking 15-20 minutes per day to breathe deeply (expanding the abdomen, not the chest area), will provide much needed oxygen to the body, nutrients will be assimilated more efficiently, thinking will be clearer, your energy level will rise and stress will be reduced.
Water
Our bodies are made up of over 70 percent water. Every function of the body is linked to the efficient flow of water. It has been said that the purest water in the world is the water in raw plant foods. Most people are drinking far less water than their body requires. Drinking "fluids" is not the same as drinking pure water. Coffee, tea and colas contain caffeine and are actually diuretics, which means they will actually deplete your body of essential fluids. If we don't drink enough water, the body tries to hold on to what it has. We then experience bloating and water retention. This is a condition that is of special concern to the pregnant woman. Drink plenty of pure water and try to avoid salt and salty foods.
Vitamin
A Vitamin A is essential for the normal development of the skin and eyes and the tissue that lines the respiratory, intestinal and urinary tracts. It is important in the formation of bones and soft tissue. The function of vitamin A is enhanced by vitamin E. Excellent food sources include: carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots, cantaloupe, broccoli, peach, romaine lettuce, oranges, apples and celery.
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B is essential for developing the baby's blood supply and nervous system.
Folic acid, also known as Folacin, is very important in the development of the fetus. It is needed to make the genetic material found in every cell of the body, DNA. Requirements by the fetus for folic acid are much greater than for "Mom" because their cells are growing and dividing so rapidly. Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 and requires vitamin C, B12 and niacin to convert into its active form. Therefore, it is important that all these vitamins are well provided for in the diet of the pregnant woman. Excellent food sources of folic acid are: dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice, avocados, beets and broccoli.
Since vitamin B12 is an important requirement during pregnancy, let's take a moment to cover the key facts. It is essential for the normal production of the nervous system. The formation of the sheath that provides insulation around the cells requires vitamin B12. The function of this "sheath," called the myelin sheath, is to conduct signals along the nerve cells. Vitamin B12 also contributes to the replication of the genetic code within each cell. This vitamin can be found in halibut, tuna, salmon and roots, such as burdock root (which has absorbed vitamin B12 from the soil organisms). A daily supplement may be appropriate for pregnant or nursing mothers.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C functions in the formation of collagen, which forms the basis for the connective tissues of the body. It acts as a cementing substance between the cells. The best sources of this vitamin are fresh fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin D
Try to get a little sun every day. It is a precursor to the formation of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is important because it aids in the assimilation of calcium.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one of the most powerful nutrients in existence. It is a powerful antioxidant. It stabilizes cell membranes and protects cells and tissues. It bolsters the immune system and improves circulation. It is also essential to maintaining healthy red blood cells and muscle tissue and in the synthesis of DNA. Some of the best food sources are: avocados, fresh coconut, flax seed oil, olive oil, spinach, broccoli, asparagus and prunes.
Iron
Most pregnant women find it hard to get sufficient iron and find that they are prescribed supplements. Iron is of vital importance. It is the oxygen carrier of the blood. It transports oxygen to the tissues and assists in the transport of carbon dioxide to the lungs where this waste product is expelled. It is essential for normal cell activities. It is the main determinant in how much oxygen reaches the brain, heart and liver. Vitamin C will enhance the absorption of iron. Great food sources of iron are: spinach, cabbage, parsley, currants, raisins, blackberries and most dark green leafy vegetables.
Calcium
This essential mineral makes up your bones. It keeps them strong. Since bones continue forming and growing even after the birth of your child, it is important to get sufficient amounts of this mineral, not only during pregnancy, but during the time you are breast-feeding. Since your unborn baby draws calcium from your body, it is very important you supply yourself with sufficient calcium. Ninety percent of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. Calcium also allows the muscles to contract properly and allows the blood to clot. If you don't supply your body with enough calcium, it will take the needed calcium from the bones. Over a period of time, this can weaken the bones. Supply yourself and your baby with essential plant based sources of calcium such as: Almonds, beans, kale, broccoli, Chinese cabbage (bok choy), parsley, figs, spinach and celery, sesame seeds, black strap molasses and tofu.
"Chocolate"
Milk Shake:
Raw carob powder also contains calcium.
Mix a Chocolate Shake by blending sesame seeds, almonds, raw carob powder and
some ice cubes!
Zinc
Zinc promotes cell division and repair. It plays a role in 25 different enzymatic systems that are involved in digestion and metabolism. It helps with tissue repair and oxygenation. Best sources of zinc are found in the following "raw" foods: pumpkin seeds, pecans, cashews, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and coconuts.
Proteins
Proteins are the building blocks of the body. It is the structure of our body and our cells and is essential for growth, repair, and development of the body. It is a common belief that we can only get the protein we need from meat and dairy products. This is not true. Many women actually find they have an aversion to meat during pregnancy. It is also a common belief that we need large amounts of protein. The average American eats approximately 5 times the amount of protein necessary to build a healthy body. The strongest animals on earth, such as the gorilla, hippo, rhino and elephant receive their protein from leafy greens. These leafy greens contain all the amino acids required to build the protein necessary for our bodies. Other excellent sources of protein are olives, pumpkin seeds, almonds, sprouts, sprouted grains (such as beans and peas), sprouted wild rice and tofu. On the other hand, cooked animal protein is difficult to digest, acid forming in the body, creates inflammation in the tissues, and is hard on the kidneys.
Raw nut butters, such as almond butter, are delicious sources of protein and "good" fats.
Fats
Speaking of fats, fat intake has been found to be necessary for healthy bone formation. Nerve tissues are protected and insulated by raw fats. Raw plant fats make cell membranes more permeable to oxygen and nutrients. They moisturize the skin. They make digestion easier by lubricating the mucus lining. Raw plant fats keep you feeling full and yet they are easily digested because of their high water content. They do not result in unwanted pounds like cooked and processed fats. Excellent sources of satisfying "good" fats are: avocados, olives (packed in olive oil), fresh coconut, most nuts, flax seed oil and olive oil.
Carbohydrates
The main function of carbohydrates is to provide the body with energy. Carbohydrates provide the main fuel for the body, blood glucose, which is the main fuel for the brain and the red blood cells. Most fruits fall in the simple carbohydrate family. Complex carbohydrates are also made up of sugars, but more complex molecular chains. Starchy vegetables, whole grains, peas, potatoes and beans fall into the complex carbohydrate family.
Beware: Carbohydrates found in refined, processed foods such as desserts, candy, sugar and soft drinks are void of nutrients. If eaten in excess, they may lead to disorders such as diabetes and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). They are often the culprits for mood swings. They can also cause constipation, a problem most pregnant women face at sometime during their pregnancy.
Cravings
What would pregnancy be without cravings? But while satisfying those cravings, try to keep the long-term health of both of you and your unborn baby in mind. Do you crave bread? Great. Go for the sprouted grain breads. They are delicious, nutty tasting and are very filling. Do you crave chocolate, there are some wonderful recipes made with raw carob that would satisfy any chocolate cravings. Instead of chips, buy unsalted corn chips and dip them in salt-free salsa.
Mental Nutrition
Another form of nutrition that is often overlooked is what I call "mental nutrition." It refers to mental attitude and is very important to overall health. Keeping a positive frame of mind and performing some regular exercise is very beneficial to a healthy pregnancy.
Body "Benefits"
Dry brushing
This is a very beneficial gift you can give yourself, not only when you are pregnant, but each day for the rest of your life. This promotes good blood circulation, opens the pores of the skin (our largest organ) so that toxins may be released from the body, stimulates circulation around the body's lymph nodes (the toxin filters of our bodies) and helps break up cellulite deposits that lie under the skin. In addition, it makes you feel alive and healthy. Buy a natural bristle brush at any health or drug store. Use the dry brush on dry skin. Just before showering is a very good time to do this. Gently brush the entire body (except the neck and facial area) with short strokes in the direction of the heart, starting at the fingers and toes and working up. Be sure to brush the areas of the armpits to stimulate circulation around the lymph nodes in the area of the breasts.
Avoid Dreaded "Stretch Marks"
To guard against developing "stretch marks." a very effective "natural" moisturizer may be made by mixing equal amounts of pure aloe vera gel and pure coconut oil (both available from any health food store). Massage this moisturizer into the skin daily. Also be sure to keep the skin hydrated from within by drinking plenty of pure water.
Using common sense is the best advice. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, sprouts, nuts and seeds and sprouted grains is a fool proof way of providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs for the health of both you and your unborn child.
Large Leafy Green Salad
Provide you and your unborn baby with a special gift at least once each day. Dedicate at least one meal per day to a large green salad made of dark leafy greens, such as romaine, spinach, parsley, kale, etc. Add 4-5 raw vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, raw sweet potato (yes, it tastes great), cucumbers, avocado and celery. Toss in some raw pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. A tasty dressing can be simply squeezing 1-2 fresh oranges over the salad. The combined flavor of the fresh orange and the dark greens is wonderful. And, best of all, you will have provided you and "baby" with a powerhouse of nutrients.
Apple/Orange/Banana
Smoothie
1 peeled banana, sliced
1 peeled apple, diced
1 peeled orange,diced
Blend ingredients in blender on high. This is a great energy packed way to start
the day.
Karen Curinga is the author of The Greatest Diet On Earth. More information concerning the benefits of living a plant-based food diet and the life transforming power of eating a predominantly living plant-based food diet can be found in Karen's new book. You may also visit her web site at http://www.thegreatestdietonearth-karencuringa.com or email Karen for more information
Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive or complete. The contents of this article are not intended to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. This information does NOT constitute medical advice in any form. Please consult your physician for medical advice.
Maternity Style Tips for the Casual Dresser
by Keri Schoenenberger
I have just finished my first journey through the web (literally) of maternity fashion. I must admit it was not as bad as I thought it would be. After all, it was only last year I saw my sister-in-law sporting a green and white striped clown suit on the way to an OB appointment. Obviously, there is still some bad stuff out there, but I survived and without breaking the bank.
For most of us, the necessary clothing purchases can be broken into two parts: First, "the transition" and second, "the full on pregnant look."
First things first. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, take the time to visit the online maternity stores and sign up for their e-mail lists. Once these retailers know you are pregnant, you will be notified of endless sales and free shipping promotions. While you are there, take a minute to examine the merchandise so you can get a feel for pricing and style.
Sizing and
online shopping. Even if you are feeling huge and bloated, don't be tempted
into buying maternity clothes in large and x-large unless you were that size
before your pregnancy. The clothing manufactures have taken into account your
need for more space in the belly, bust, armholes, etc... If you can't try the
clothes on, always base your purchase on your pre-pregnancy size. This way your
clothes will fit across the shoulders and the torso length will be correct.
This becomes even more important when shopping online because you can't try
the clothes on first. Trust the stores sizing guide no matter how big you feel.
Maternity clothes are generally sized as follows:
|
Maternity
Size
|
Pre-Pregnancy
Size
|
|
Small
|
4-6
|
|
Medium
|
8-12
|
|
Large
|
12-14
|
|
X-Large
|
16-18
|
Before buying anything online, review the stores return policies and timeframes. Most are reasonable.
The Transition - This is the phase that starts with not being able to button your pants and ends when those full-front panel jeans that you used to swear you'd never be seen in, start looking pretty good. Once you hit this phase, it's time to take an inventory of your pre-pregnancy wardrobe. Surprisingly, you will be able to utilize a great deal of your current wardrobe well into your pregnancy. Some of the things you will be able to use are: Long-sleeved button up shirts - Long tee shirts - Any jeans or pants that still fit in the legs and rear - Long skirts made of ribbed knit - Clingy sweaters, stay clear of big, bulky sweaters.
Once you figure out what you already have, you can supplement with some transitional maternity must-haves.
Belly Basics. This four-piece kit includes: a dress, skirt, tunic and a slim pant all in black. These pieces can be mixed and matched with the clothes you already own. The pieces are comfortable, and will take you through this phase of your pregnancy as well as home from the hospital. $152.00, available at http://www.nordstrom.com
Maternity tee shirts. You will want to stock up on these in some basic colors like white, black, brown, taupe, and any of your favorite colors. These shirts should have some room to grow, and should be long enough to cover the zipper in your jeans. You can wear these around the house and under sweaters. You may be able to find a few used tees at Kid to Kid in the maternity section. There are several around town, so check the phone book. These are generally reasonably priced from $5 - $29, and are available most everywhere.
Long sleeve button up shirts. These can be worn over a long tee shirt with belly basics bottoms, long skirts, or with your own jeans and Biggerbritches. Remember, a little snug is better than a tent. Beware: some of the maternity varieties are seriously unflattering, especially at this stage. If you can wear regular long sleeve shirts leaving the buttons over your belly undone, do it! Long sleeve maternity shirts were the most often returned item of my online purchases.
Demi-panel jeans. These transitional maternity jeans feature a ribbed waistband either all the way around, or just in the front. Even these are difficult to keep up at first, but you will grow into them probably sometime during the second trimester. They are comfortable, but limited in sizes (small, med, large, x-large). Women with long or short legs will have some trouble finding a good fit. If you order these online, order a few different styles and return the ones that don't fit. $48 - $75, available at http://www.gap.com or http://www.japaneseweekend.com
The full on pregnant look - You have arrived in this phase when your stomach grows so low, your demi-panel jeans don't work so well. Once I got to this phase, I actually looked forward to some full-frontal maternity pants. Trust me. This is not the time to hit the used clothing stores looking for a pair of jeans. Chances are all you will find are a high water, tapered leg, wide-hipped worn out mess of a jean. Your ego does not need that kind of a blow at this stage in the game. If you haven't splurged yet, buy yourself a couple pairs of hip jeans from www.japaneseweekend.com or www.gap.com . It will be worth the money, especially if you wear them almost every day.
This is also the appropriate time for you to hit your husband's closet in search of some big shirts to wear with your new maternity jeans. Look for button-up shirts, thin sweaters, and long sleeve polo shirts. Chances are the fit across the shoulders won't be great but if you can make it work, and it's definitely better than laying out more money this late in the game. You will still be able to wear the t-shirts you bought early on, and some of your long, non-bulky sweaters. If your wardrobe is still lacking, buy yourself a couple of cardigans to wear over your t-shirts or some new sweaters from one of the perpetual Gap sales. A few new purchases coupled with some of your transitional maternity clothes should be sufficient to get you through the last couple of months.
Toward the very end, you will probably gravitate toward one outfit that is comfy and relatively presentable and will proceed to wear it like a uniform. About this time, you will be nearing the end. Once you have the baby, you will have to revert to wearing your transitional maternity clothes for a few weeks. Best of luck!
Here are a few of the stores I had good luck with: www.gap.com - www.biggerbritches.com - www.nordstrom.com www.japaneseweekend.com - Target - Kid to Kid (hit them all) Motherhood Maternity (Park City Outlet Mall has big selection) Check your local yellow pages for other maternity clothing stores near you.
College Funding Now Made Easier
A Look at 529 Plans
By: Colton Reading, Financial Professional
MONY Life Insurance Company, New York, NY (MONY)
If you're like most parents, you want to be able to send your children to the college of their choice. With the rising cost of college today, however, fewer families are actually able to cover the cost of tuition, room and board without taking on substantial debt or draining their savings.
Now there's help. The IRS' new 529 plan is a great way to begin saving for your children's education on what can be both an income and estate tax favored basis.
What are 529 Plans?
Named for Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, 529 plans are state-based investment programs designed to help families save for their children's college education on a federal tax-favored basis. Options and restrictions differ from state to state, but there are generally two types of plans, Prepaid Tuition Plans and the more popular College Savings plan.
Prepaid Tuition Plans
This plan can arrange for the full payment of tuition at a state's public universities or colleges. Essentially, you put money into an account, either through a lump sum contribution or in monthly installments, and in return the program promises to pay the full cost of a plan beneficiary's college education, as long as it is at one of the state's public schools. As an investment, prepaid tuition plans are conservative in nature in that they are designed only to keep up with tuition inflation.
But what if your child doesn't want to go to a state school?
State Prepaid Tuition Plans do allow for the transfer of the value of your contract to out-of-state institutions, but it is important to realize that depending on the expense of the chosen school, the amount you have saved may not cover the full cost, and some states will not accept the full value of out-of-state contracts.
Effective 2002, prepaid tuition plans are no longer limited to state programs, but have been expanded to include prepaid tuition plans that are established and maintained by eligible private institutions that satisfy the requirements under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under these plans, individuals are able to purchase tuition credits or certificates on behalf of a designated beneficiary, but would not be able to make contributions to a college savings plan account (as described in Section 529). A tuition plan maintained by a private institution is not treated as qualified unless it has received a ruling or determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service that the program satisfies the applicable requirements.
College Savings Plans
If a beneficiary is certain that they do not want to attend a state school or if they simply do not know where they want to go, you may want to consider a college savings plan.
College savings plans are a more popular and flexible type of 529 plan because the full value of the account can generally be put toward tuition at most accredited college or universities in the country, or in some cases even outside the country. College saving plans are run either by the state or by investment companies on the state's behalf. They follow a slightly more aggressive investment strategy than prepaid tuition plans, operating similarly to mutual funds. Therefore, there is a greater market risk involved with a college savings plan as compared to a prepaid tuition plan, but most are tailored to minimize this risk by shifting portfolio assets, reducing the presence of potentially volatile investments, such as stocks, as the beneficiary gets older.
The 529 Advantage
The first and foremost benefit of a 529 plan is the tax advantage, which allows your investment to grow federal income tax-free for as long as the money stays invested in the plan. The only tax implications you need to worry about occur when it's time for the beneficiary to go to college and you make a withdrawal to pay for tuition or other "qualified" expenses. Effective 2002, the distribution of earnings from a qualified state prepaid tuition plan is tax-free if used for "qualified higher education expenses" (Effective 2004, for a distribution from a private program).
In addition to the federal tax advantages, many states also offer state income tax benefits to 529 plan participants, such as deductions for contributions or income exemptions on "qualified" withdrawals. (In order to receive these tax benefits, though, withdrawals must be for "qualified" educational expenses as defined by the individual plan.)
529 plans have many non-tax related benefits as well. For example, if you start a 529 plan for someone, you remain in control of the account with few exceptions. Unlike a Uniform Gift to Minors account, in which a beneficiary receives the value of the account at the state's legal age to use however they wish, most 529 plans do not provide for the transfer of the account to a beneficiary, or any other party, without your permission. You make all the decisions, including when and for what purpose withdrawals are made.
529 plans also offer flexibility. You have the right to change the beneficiary and can even liquidate the account if you choose, though there are penalties for "non-qualified" withdrawals. You may change your beneficiary and often the only stipulation for changing a beneficiary is that the new beneficiary be an immediate family member of the previous beneficiary. Effective 2002, the definition of immediate family member has been extended to include first cousins of the original beneficiary. So if your son or daughter receives a substantial scholarship that covers tuition, making the use of the money saved in your 529 plan unnecessary, you may be able to switch the plan over to another individual in your family.
529 plans have other important advantages over Education IRAs, now called Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, as well, including a lack of income restrictions and high contribution limits. The annual contribution limit on an Educational IRA per beneficiary is only $2,000.
Additionally, most 529 plans require a minimal start-up contribution, making them very attractive vehicles for almost anyone interested in tax-favored saving, regardless of their liquidity.
For many people contributing to a second party's savings program, the federal gift tax is a real concern. The federal gift tax goes into effect when an individual gives more than $11,000 in a year to a single recipient. The 529 plan can help individuals avoid the gift tax. Through a 529 plan, an individual can contribute $55,000 into the plan in a single year and have this contribution count as five gifts of $11,000 each for the next five years, thus avoiding any of the gift tax consequences. This is an especially attractive feature for individuals looking to reduce their estate assets in a timely manner.
One of the main things to remember about 529 plans is that in either type of plan you are giving up control of your money to professional management, and whenever relinquishing control of your money, there are precautions that should be taken. You should consult your financial professional, tax advisor and/or attorney before making any decisions.
You work hard to give your children every advantage in life. A 529 plan can help ensure your efforts don't fall short. Investments offered by MONY Securities Corporation, member NASD, SIPC, 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, 1-800-736-0166. Insurance and annuity products offered by MONY
For more information write to:
Colton
Reading
The MONY Group
6985 S. Union Park Ave.
Midvale, Utah 84047
801-562-3484 Phone
801-566-4384 Fax
Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, New York, NY. MONY Life Insurance Company and MONY Securities Corporation are members of The MONY Group. MONY does not provide legal or tax advice and recommends that legal and tax issues be reviewed with counsel or your tax advisor.
By Dr. Madeline Behrendt
It's 6:30 a.m. Eyes open to the sun painting a new canvas over the foothills. Ears alert to the sound of morning feet padding through the hallway, destination locked in. The body moves, sleep is surrendered as the commitment from horizontal to vertical is made.
Feeling anticipation, the stomach shifts all focus towards the kitchen. Arms extend, fingers grasp, mouth waits... Coffee? Milk? Soda? Juice? Shake? Water? So starts a new day in the 'Herstory' of bones.
Bones are undercover dutiful workers, silhouettes barely visible; yet home to ceaseless invisible activity. They are a part of a passive subsystem, not able to move us nor themselves, yet our entire physical being depends on them for strength, support and protection. They are also home to part of our precious immune system.
Women and bones are linked in our culture, although men can also experience changes in bone health. During the different stages of a woman's lifecycle, Innate changes the ratio of (new bone being built)/(old bone being broken down) and choices made within the normal rhythm of the day can support or interfere with the potential Innate offers.
In addition to daily choices, because our body is designed to achieve peak bone density during our 30's, timing is also a factor, and paying attention during the early years can influence whether or not our peak is achieved.
Nutrition. Beverages. Exercise. Elective Prescription Drugs. Hormones. BONE CHOICES.
And choosing to remain subluxated offers potential consequences we can never neglect.
We demand and assume our bones will last our lifetime, yet may take them for granted or treat them like a rental car. Care or carelessness - the results are ours to choose.
In Womanculture as described by the Symptom/Disease/Prevention model, osteoporosis (or the fear of) receives a lot of attention, especially in regards to its suggested relationship to menopause, estrogen deficiency and bone density.
Looking at the view from Inside, rather than Outside, are reports that offer clarity: - Poor bone health during menopause is not automatically attributed to this lifecycle as studies show that osteoporosis can start many years prior to menopause (early care is important!)
We are told we lose estrogen (creating the image of estrogen deficiency), but what loss?
Innate resets our hormone levels - making what is appropriate for this lifecycle, and protects us from the effects of having too much of a hormone, who's excess can lead to cancer.
Estrogen is NOT the bone builder hormone; reports indicate that progesterone (not progestin) is responsible for this function.
Low bone density does not define osteoporosis; they are not interchangeable terms, LBD is a factor that can contribute, but not guarantee OP, as additional factors weigh in.
As hormones are involved in bone health, hormonal drugs are heavily promoted, but their sales are vulnerable to self-sabotage as inevitable side effects surface. Like revolutionary soldiers, new drugs stand poised to replace them, ready for their 15 minutes of fame, spinning promises and information often culled from self-funded studies before they too are shot down. The Public is questioning the credibility of endless cycles of "miracle" drugs that can deliver "miracle" side effects. Miracles? Real miracles can come from above, down, inside, out.
Interference in bone health can seem silent, but the effects are very loud, as the most common first site of fracture due to osteoporosis is the thoracic spine, which protects and houses our nervous system. In my practice, women speak of watching their mom's quality of life decline as her spine crumbled, they want to be educated and informed as to how to help their spine be healthy for the long run. I am committed to helping them and their daughters through subluxation-based care and teaching the benefits of the chiropractic lifestyle.
Back in the kitchen, some quick comments on what we reach for and how they affect bones:
COFFEE -
Chemically can create a negative calcium balance.
Coffee is also one of the crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides and questions
are raised how those hormones can affect bone health. People actually do live
without coffee, if that sounds unbearable, many also try organic, drink less
or boost up other bone builder factors.
MILK - Innate
has designed us to become lactose intolerant (3 of 4 adults), let's listen.
Milk is NOT a preferred calcium source, in fact after 3 generations of milk
promotion, osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions in the West, while
in countries where it is not consumed, it hardly exists. Calcium can be found
in many user-friendly sources, try there.
SODA - Bubbles and bones don't mix, studies show it leeches calcium and children consuming soda had low blood calcium levels. Another study reported DOUBLE the urinary calcium loss in teens 13-19 (remember those are the years spent building towards peak bone density.)
JUICE - Natural is best, when calcium is artificially encouraged (as in fortified) reports indicate calcium can be deposited in the wrong place (cardiovascular, kidneys, female organs.)
SHAKE - can be a great start to the day, depending upon what is put in it. Good stuff: organic fruits, almond or other nut butters, rice milk. Have fun experimenting.
WATER - One of the best ways to start the day is with a glass of clean (filtered from chemicals/hormones) water, hot or cold, with lemon. Then on to a good breakfast.
It's 6:30 a.m. A new day is waiting. Start off A.W.E.some. And subluxation-free.
Dr. Behrendt is an author and speaker committed to connecting women to chiropractic and chiropractors to women. She has contributed to numerous print and electronic chiropractic publications, including the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research , The Chiropractic Journal, and planetchiropractic.com. In addition, Dr. Behrendt was part of a chiropractic panel that presented at the United Nations Conference on Women in 2001, and has appeared on WebMd. Dr. Behrendt is also the Associate Editor of The Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, specializing in developing cases that document the impact of subluxation correction in women's health. She can be reached at can be reached at mbdcawe@aol.com Printed with permission from Dr. Behrendt and http://www.planetchiropractic.com