tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62902555980240831772024-02-07T01:32:16.826-08:00Leaves of LavenderHolly Scudero, Freelance Writer & CopyeditorHolly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-89191184077387675792018-08-11T13:47:00.000-07:002018-08-11T13:47:29.566-07:00Review: Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXFWbpQKD7VaIDDoWFgdznaRdp9Jq6b9KjcjEY99GLNtyup7P7ldxZ-laUuz1apmFfDJhnyZbB1KS5chhMNjo-zBb-jV35p6mW9KSSc0-ecD-z9u1pvbCoEPKwtZTXMGXZx9cXxC2SJU/s1600/vegan+air+fryer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1423" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXFWbpQKD7VaIDDoWFgdznaRdp9Jq6b9KjcjEY99GLNtyup7P7ldxZ-laUuz1apmFfDJhnyZbB1KS5chhMNjo-zBb-jV35p6mW9KSSc0-ecD-z9u1pvbCoEPKwtZTXMGXZx9cXxC2SJU/s400/vegan+air+fryer.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
The Instant Pot may have many devoted followers, but back in the shadows, the air fryer has quietly been growing in popularity as well.<br />
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Blogger and author Kathy Hester loves hers, and her new cookbook, <i>Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer</i>, is guaranteed to get you excited about air frying too! Air frying is a type of convection cooking, using hot air to thoroughly cook just about anything. And it goes way beyond french fries and onion rings. An air fryer can make delicious crispy tofu, caramelized veggies, and even desserts with no (or only a little) oil.<br />
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Start at the beginning. Hester's introduction will teach readers how the air fryer works and provide advice on selecting the right one for your family, as well as plenty of info about how the cooking process actually works.<br />
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After that come the recipes!<br />
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<ul>
<li>Pantry staples: make your own Aquafaba (i.e. chickpea cooking liquid), bread dough, breadcrumbs, and more. </li>
<li>Snacks: roasted chickpeas, apple chips, roasted nuts</li>
<li>Main Courses: Cornmeal Battered Tofu, Teff Veggie Burgers, Black Bean Avocado Chimichangas</li>
<li>Side Dishes: Battered Onion Rings, Southern Fried Okra</li>
<li>Breakfasts: breakfast sandwiches, Mixed Veggie Hash</li>
<li>Desserts: Carrot Cake in a Mug, Mini Apple Fritters</li>
</ul>
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All recipes are 100% vegan, and all can be made gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free as desired.<br />
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I personally do not have an air fryer. YET. But this cookbook really makes me want to get one!<br />
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The recipes all sound amazing! Simple ingredients, nutritious, and fits my preferred cooking/eating style (vegan and low oil). I love the idea of not having my kitchen heated up unnecessarily, and I definitely love the idea of cooking my food faster! The instructions all look simple, which is a necessity for me; I definitely don't have time to be following dozens of complicated steps.<br />
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There is a nice variety of recipes in here, and I could easily see myself spending a happy few months trying everything. It all looks THAT good (check out the gorgeous photos if you don't believe me!). I think the easy crispy tofu alone makes an air fryer sound like a fabulous idea. All in all, this book makes me hungry, and it makes me eager to learn a new way of cooking.<br />
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Definitely going to hold onto a copy until I get an air fryer of my very own!Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-76358544053651907442018-07-03T05:34:00.000-07:002018-07-03T05:34:32.720-07:00A Cup of Milk<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2DunmZz8qYulkFozsznZ0pP0rMgPeelYN0HwgcQ_KPG7ReU-3JMkj2Ny6CWW0CUIDYq8ZbfobNLc9BkGY569O_Hn7GA66Ud_yXNG8Mnwrg4tpBXWVBSUHGTZ-YX7TA80P3XKTVwrjS4/s1600/20170505_093455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2DunmZz8qYulkFozsznZ0pP0rMgPeelYN0HwgcQ_KPG7ReU-3JMkj2Ny6CWW0CUIDYq8ZbfobNLc9BkGY569O_Hn7GA66Ud_yXNG8Mnwrg4tpBXWVBSUHGTZ-YX7TA80P3XKTVwrjS4/s400/20170505_093455.jpg" width="225" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brothers!</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around the time my firstborn turned one, the whispers started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every mom who has chosen to breastfeed, especially if she’s succeeded in avoiding formula for any length of time, is familiar with those whispers. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When are you going to wean? Why don’t you let me give him a bottle? You’re spoiling him. You’re going to be breastfeeding him to sleep in college.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those reasons start much earlier than a year, of course, for many moms. Some start hearing them when baby is a few months or even weeks old. I, however, made it clear from the get-go that breastfeeding was the way for me, and I wasn’t interested in any encouragement to switch to formula.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">That, and I chose my friends carefully. A good support network is a big part of breastfeeding success, after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyway, I pointedly ignored those whispers. I steadfastly remained on the course of self-weaning, and my son nursed until he was four. Shortly after that birthday, he finally stopped asking to nurse at bedtime. It was bittersweet, but the time was right for both of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few months later, I got pregnant again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was planned. But still, I only got to enjoy a few months of having my body completely myself before a baby took up residence in my womb, and I only had about a year before the breastfeeding grind began anew.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My older son, of course, still remembered breastfeeding. And while he understood that my body wasn’t producing milk for him anymore, he was </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">very</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> curious about my plans to nurse our new baby. It wasn’t long before he asked if </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> would be able to start nursing again, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I had milk again, he reasoned, why not? He loved mommy milk. He wanted his baby brother or sister to share!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first time he asked, I smiled fondly and told him that my body would be making milk for baby, and that I wouldn’t have enough to share. (This was a lie; I knew I’d likely overproduce at first.) When he asked again in the future--and he asked frequently--I offered other excuses. Baby would need it all (also a lie). He’d gone for so long without nursing that he probably wouldn’t remember how (possibly true, but I was uninterested in testing the theory). He was “too old” for mommy milk (most people in the US would say </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">truth</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but other cultures might disagree). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I avoided the real reasons why I did not want my older boy to start nursing again. I was not interested in tandem nursing two children so far apart in age (truth). I did not want to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">maintain </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an oversupply (truth). Water was a perfectly healthy beverage for him (truth). And, after a year of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nursing him, I was admittedly a little uncomfortable at the idea of nursing a five-year-old (truth--but props to the full-term breastfeeding mamas out there who nurse to five or beyond!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I managed to deflect my son well enough early on that the questions stopped coming for awhile. But once I received my breast pump--a month or so before the baby’s birth--the issue came back. My son was intrigued by the pump, fascinated that a machine could extract mommy milk so that baby could drink it when I wasn’t there to feed him directly. He understood bottles in theory, of course, but I never used bottles with him; he always drank straight from the source, as it were.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a few more rounds of questions and deflections, I finally hit upon a new idea. I had a pump. I could pump milk. I could put pumped milk in a bottle… or a cup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I told my son that sometime after the baby was born, perhaps I would give him some of my pumped milk to drink in a cup. Deflection: successful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My husband, when he heard this conversation, was mildly horrified I think, although he’s used to me and my crunchy ways and he did his best to go with it. He simply inserted himself into our discussion to make sure our son knew that first, this--the sharing of mommy milk--would not be a regular occurrence, and second, it’d likely only happen at home. Two points I wholeheartedly agreed with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I may be a bit on the natural side, but as I mentioned before, I was not particularly keen on getting my older boy hooked on “the good stuff” again. That was a phase of his life that was over, and I really wanted it to stay over. One nursling at a time for me, thank you very much.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Liquid gold</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then baby came. I pumped almost exclusively at first, as baby had to stay in the hospital for awhile after birth. And it wasn’t long before the question came. He asked me if he could have some mommy milk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I put him off at first. I told him I needed to save every drop for the baby, who was still in the NICU and needed milk to grow. But eventually, I gave in. After one pumping session, I emptied one of the bottles into a bag to freeze and later take to the hospital. And I emptied the other bottle into his blue cup, which I offered to my then-five-year-old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">He took a sip, grinned at me, and said “Mmmmm!” Then he put it down and scampered off to play with his grandma.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">He never came back for the rest of the milk in that cup. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Look at that freezer stash!</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was with a sad smile that I eventually dumped those five or so ounces down the drain. After all the questions, all the haranguing, after the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">insistence</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that he still loved mommy milk and wanted to share in his little brother’s bounty, it turns out that my big boy just wasn’t that interested anymore. For a preschooler, mommy milk just couldn’t compare with the other adventures that life holds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know a lot of women do genuinely worry that their babies will never want to wean. They worry that baby will be nursing </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forever</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They believe that they’ll eventually have to force the issue. Sooner or later, we’ll just have to start saying no. Right? Our babies will surely never say no on their own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I understand that self-weaning isn’t for everyone. Some women have to wean because of life circumstances. It might be because of a job, or because of an illness, or perhaps because of a custody situation. Others choose to wean at a certain age for reasons that may be more or less defined. They’re not enjoying breastfeeding. They’re ready to be done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">needs </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to define those reasons if they don’t want to. Breastfeeding is a relationship between mommy and baby, and it has to work for both parties. And if it’s not working, well, you don’t need to justify your decision.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That being said, don’t ever let anyone tell you that your child will </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">never </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wean.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My new baby recently turned one, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the whispers start again. And when they do, I can pull out this story of my older son and our journey to self-weaning. I can’t speak for every baby, of course, but self-weaning turned out just fine for us the first time around. I have no doubt this baby will eventually wean on his own, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My older son never did ask what happened to his cup of mommy milk. He never missed it when it disappeared. And he never asked again about sharing.</span><br />
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Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-50394856749679709182017-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:002017-12-22T07:16:19.993-08:00Review: Vibrant IndiaIndian cuisine, with its emphasis on beans, lentils, and a wide variety of vegetables, lends itself naturally to vegetarian and vegan diets. Curries, daals, dishes with heavy sauce and don't forget the naan...<br />
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But wait! There's much more to Indian food than the well-known dishes from the northern part of the country (some of which weren't even invented in India!). Chitra Agrawal wants to introduce home chefs to the glorious, diverse cuisine of Southern India, which is similar in some ways to what we already know and love but different in many others. Southern Indian dishes tend to be much heavier on rice and lentils than northern meals. Spice mixtures are different. Dishes use tamarind instead of green mango. Even the chai is made differently.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ_Bwj3z_YZ_4gtUa6sr_PTRi22CvJpalw2idvw8sJGOIjp6AABkIEQY0xRTwCeDMJSp_HmCgH6wXGGOW0Br4jxTf0sK9yW-BdJqnTmxlr2YYGl0IFrT-5Xrs933aJ71mmcNN_2zYFPQ/s1600/vibrant+india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="372" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ_Bwj3z_YZ_4gtUa6sr_PTRi22CvJpalw2idvw8sJGOIjp6AABkIEQY0xRTwCeDMJSp_HmCgH6wXGGOW0Br4jxTf0sK9yW-BdJqnTmxlr2YYGl0IFrT-5Xrs933aJ71mmcNN_2zYFPQ/s400/vibrant+india.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
<i>Vibrant India</i> pays homage to the food Agrawal grew up with in Bangalore, adapted slightly as necessary for cooks in America. The pages of this gorgeous cookbook are full of exciting new recipes that are just begging to be made: curries (such as Karnataka Coconut Vegetable Curry), salads (Cucumber, Sprouted Mung Bean, and Pomegranate Salad), rice (Fragrant Eggplant and Green Pepper Rice), stews (Black-Eyed Peas, Greens, and Lentil Stew), sweets (Banana, Coconut, and Cardamom Ice Cream), and more. At the end, readers will find a chapter on DIY spice blends, and there are even instructions for making your own chutneys and pickles.<br />
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Scattered throughout the recipes are gorgeous (and delicious!) color photographs of some of the dishes, as well as artwork featuring animals and Indian motifs. Agrawal includes fun tidbits of family history, to help readers feel immersed in Indian culture and cuisine. Don't feel intimidated by the recipes; most look much more complex than they actually are, and once you've tried a few recipes, the methods and ingredient lists won't look nearly as daunting.<br />
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<i>Vibrant India</i> is a great cookbook for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. Get ready to try something new!<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<i>I received this book from <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</i> Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-1083603393571127462017-12-20T04:32:00.000-08:002017-12-20T04:32:11.003-08:00I’m a Millennial and I Suck at Holiday Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhklswMNRl5BDxXQh16ncrWn0yUOE3gBylxM2OYsr6dao4V4w5S-1WcTdXitZKZc6rP5gRgkEGlOw_7GiPn1QZu9HHmnWl6YH5v8sCaI-ffRYYG91su09OiN_ANcehRJRI6w8jnnls8kk/s1600/20171210_163725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhklswMNRl5BDxXQh16ncrWn0yUOE3gBylxM2OYsr6dao4V4w5S-1WcTdXitZKZc6rP5gRgkEGlOw_7GiPn1QZu9HHmnWl6YH5v8sCaI-ffRYYG91su09OiN_ANcehRJRI6w8jnnls8kk/s400/20171210_163725.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I can still remember what I consider to be my first “real”
Christmas out on my own.</div>
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Our own, I should say. My husband and I had been married
several years at this point, but we always celebrated Christmas with the
families of our childhoods. We would spend Christmas Eve at his parents’ house,
then do the Christmas morning festivities with his parents and brother. Later
in the day, we’d go to my mom’s house for brunch and gift exchanging, and at
some point later in the afternoon we’d return to my husband’s parents’ house
again for dinner.</div>
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We used to live only about an hour away from everyone. But
then my husband enlisted in the Navy, and suddenly we were spending Christmas
in Illinois, a long plane ride away from anyone. We had gone on a trip to visit
family earlier in the fall, but decided to stay home—our own home, the one we
were making together—for Christmas.</div>
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In some ways, it was a lonely holiday, but we also enjoyed
the freedom of not being bound by anyone else’s schedules. We had a tree—a real
tree, my first live one ever—and we had decorated it with our meager collection
of ornaments. We strung Christmas lights up around our balcony and above our
table. I carefully wrapped a blanket around the tree stand, lacking a proper
tree skirt, but for many weeks we had no presents to pile underneath.</div>
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And then we got some presents. My husband’s aunt and uncle
sent us a box with a few goodies for each of us. We placed them ceremoniously
under the tree, a handful of beautifully wrapped gifts and two tiny enveloped
cards.</div>
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It was only a few days later that we opened those tiny
cards. We knew this aunt and uncle always send money, you see. I no longer
remember what we spent that money on, but opening it a week or so before
Christmas was, unbeknownst to us at the time, a slippery slope. It wasn’t long
before we opened the wrapped presents. After all, where was the harm in
celebrating early? Why wait? The presents from my in-laws didn’t even all make
it under the tree; some were opened as soon as we received their package, the
rest within days of that. I don’t think we even bothered wrapping the gifts we
got for one another.</div>
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Hello, my name is Holly. I’m a Millennial and I suck at
Christmas. </div>
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A lot of people have a lot of bad things to say about
Millennials. We’re bleeding heart liberals, snowflakes who can’t handle hearing
or reading anything that might be even the least bit offensive. We need trigger
warnings and safe places. We expect to be rewarded simply for showing up; we
grew up with participation trophies. We need our mommies to do our laundry for
us and to talk to our teachers about our bad grades and to negotiate job
contracts.</div>
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Most of that is nonsense, of course. We Millennials are hardworking
and honest, for the most part. We’re smart; many of us have one or more college
degrees. We’re persistent and determined. We’re goal-driven and
action-oriented. We believe in freedom and equality.</div>
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I grew up in an era of what some would scathingly call “political
correctness.” Thus, I have no problem referring to December as the “holiday
season;” I’m not offended by Starbucks’ annual red winter cups; I default to
saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” I recognize that
Christmas isn’t the only holiday celebrated in December, and I value being
inclusive of others. I recognize that others might label me a snowflake for
that (how seasonally appropriate!), but I don’t care. Christmas isn’t a
religious holiday for me anyway. It’s not about an imaginary war on Christmas
in particular; I just have no attachment to the word specifically.</div>
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As a person, I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot. I’ve been
married for nearly a decade. I’ve given birth to two healthy children. I’ve
owned a house. I’ve lived in several states and moved more times than I care to
think about. But there are definitely some places where I feel like I’m failing
as an adult. I’m terrible at housework. It often takes me days to fold laundry.
Both my husband and I avoid taking out the trash until it’s no longer
ignorable. Despite my best intentions, we usually don’t even eat meals at the
table together on a regular basis. And I’m pretty bad at creating holiday magic
for my kids.</div>
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For my older son’s first Christmas, it was just the two of
us (Daddy was deployed). I didn’t even put up a Christmas tree. In the years
since, we do Christmas… a little bit. There’s a tree, but rarely any other
decorations. There’s a fancy meal, which we usually eat in our pajamas. There
are stocking stuffers, but often we don’t actually put them in the stockings.
Our son usually has a pretty good idea ahead of time of what presents we’re
getting him: homemade pajama pants (he helps me pick out the fabric), a book, a
toy or two.</div>
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This year, the “big” family present was a new gaming
console. We bought it online over Black Friday weekend, and we opened it as
soon as it arrived. My husband opened his big present as soon as it arrived,
too. In November. We’re getting me a new phone, and I highly doubt that it’ll
get wrapped and put under the tree, either. See what I mean? No surprises, and
we can’t even be bothered to wait until Christmas to receive our presents.</div>
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It’s like we use Christmas as an excuse to buy a few shiny
new things, but we care less about the actual day than we do about just getting
and enjoying the gift.</div>
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It’s not that I don’t want Christmas to be magical. Growing
up, my own mother decorated extensively for Christmas every year. I’d love to
do the same: tinsel lining the bannisters, wreaths on the doors, dish towels
with poinsettias, maybe even a special set of holiday china. My mom threw a
giant holiday party every year, inviting neighbors and friends from school, her
and my dad’s jobs, Girl Scouts, karate. I’d love to do the same once we have a
house of our own, assuming I can get past my introvert tendencies. I’d love to
go ice skating and offer my kids the opportunity to take pictures with some guy
dressed up as Santa.</div>
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But somehow, we seem to struggle with overcoming our baser
(lazier?) tendencies. <span> </span>It’s just too much
work. It requires too much forethought.</div>
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And I don’t know what the solution is, aside from pulling myself
up by my bootstraps one of these years, developing some willpower, and just
doing it. Keeping those holiday presents a secret. Finding time to go shopping
for stocking stuffers alone (or opening the Amazon boxes at night, after the
kids are in bed). Maybe my husband and I can actually shop for presents for one
another, rather than just picking out a nice gift for ourselves. Maybe I’ll
actually buy some tinsel and some proper stocking hangers. Maybe I’ll host that
holiday cookie swap like I’ve always wanted to.</div>
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This year, however, I’ve got the excuse of a new baby. I don’t
have time to decorate. I don’t have time for surprises and magic. Call it an
excuse, but the magic just isn’t going to happen this year. Maybe next year we’ll
manage to do Christmas “right.”</div>
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-488719909674519562017-07-13T06:53:00.002-07:002017-07-15T12:27:41.915-07:00Review: The Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding Babies & ToddlersMany parents don’t realize just how complicated feeding young kids
can be until they have a baby of their own. When should babies start
solid foods? What are the best early foods? How do we minimize the risk
of developing allergies?<br />
<br />
<img alt="pediatricians guide to feeding babies" class=" size-full wp-image-271 alignright" data-attachment-id="271" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="pediatricians guide to feeding babies" data-large-file="https://hscuderocomblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies.jpg?w=474?w=298" data-medium-file="https://hscuderocomblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies.jpg?w=474?w=199" data-orig-file="https://hscuderocomblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies.jpg?w=474" data-orig-size="298,450" data-permalink="https://hscudero.com/2016/05/08/review-the-pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies-toddlers/pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies/" src="https://hscuderocomblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies.jpg?w=474" /><br />
<br />
These questions and many more are answered in <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/253105/the-pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies-and-toddlers-by-anthony-porto-md-and-dina-dimaggio-md/"><i>The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies & Toddlers</i></a>, a compact guidebook written by a team headed by <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2061834/anthony-porto-md/">Anthony Porto</a> and featuring pediatricians, dietitians, a lactation consultant, and a recipe developer.<br />
<br />
This friendly, well-written book is divided into six main sections.
The first five sections focus on particular time frames of child
development<span class="_Tgc">—</span>0-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-8 months, 9-12 months, and toddlers<span class="_Tgc">—</span>while
the sixth condenses many common medical concerns and questions into one
concise chapter. Each developmental section talks about the basics of
physical and cognitive development, answers some pointed questions, and
gives guidelines for how much babies are generally eating. Each also
offers a selection of recipes perfect for growing babies (or, in the
case of the first section, perfect for lactating mamas and
sleep-deprived new parents).<br />
<br />
The first section, which focuses on the first three months, discusses
both breastfeeding and formula-feeding relatively in-depth. While the
authors make no secret of the fact that breastfeeding is the best option
when possible, they also provide plenty of unbiased, non-judgmental
information about using formula for families who need or choose to use
it.<br />
<br />
The second section is all about early solids, while the next few walk
parents through the various stages of purees and finger foods that
follow. While a number of readers will disagree with the book’s taciturn
acceptance of starting solids as early as at four months old, this
section and the ones following it are, overall, a well-balanced approach
to the standard method of introducing a baby to solid foods. Parents
will get advice on different stages of purees, including advice on
making them at home, and every possible question is answered, including
how to introduce them, what to look for when it comes to allergies, and
even avoiding choking.<br />
<br />
There is solid and standard nutritional information throughout,
including nutrient guidelines and calories. Parents will love the
recipes, which include simple single foods, intriguing blends, finger
foods, and dishes for toddlers that the whole family will find
themselves enjoying. These aren’t bland foods, either; the recipes are
rich in complex flavors and spices that will get youngsters excited
about “real” foods.<br />
<br />
The final section really tackles the biggest medical concerns. While
some of this information is discussed to varying degrees in other
sections, parents who want to know more about constipation, eosinophilic
esophagitis, reflux, celiac disease and gluten intolerance, allergies,
and more will find their answers right here. There are also growth
charts<span class="_Tgc">—</span>both CDC and WHO<span class="_Tgc">—</span>reference charts for avoiding allergies, and tables listing the RDAs of various nutrients for the different age groups.<br />
<br />
There are some other elements of this book that some readers may disagree with, such as authors’ discomfort with <a href="http://www.babyledweaning.com/">baby-led weaning</a>,
their advice to seek a nutritionist before raising baby on “special”
diets such as vegetarianism or paleo, and their stock-standard advice to
start baby off with grains like oatmeal or rice, which many in natural
parenting circles feel is harmful to the developing gut. Other readers
may feel that a book like this only encourages the paranoia that for
many surrounds baby feeding; introducing a baby to solids doesn’t need
to be this complicated!<br />
<br />
Still, the fact is that most parents do have a lot of questions about how to get their baby started with “real” foods, and <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/253105/the-pediatricians-guide-to-feeding-babies-and-toddlers-by-anthony-porto-md-and-dina-dimaggio-md/"><i>The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies & Toddlers</i></a> does an admirable job of coming to the rescue. Readers will be reassured by the wide range of experience of the authors<span class="_Tgc">—</span>all of whom are parents, too<span class="_Tgc">—</span>and will enjoy the friendly tone and straightforward information. This is a practical book that many will learn a lot from.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<i>I received this book from <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-12375463311347778042017-06-12T10:45:00.001-07:002017-11-21T08:34:48.553-08:00An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy: Aftermath (Part 5)At the end of it all, after all my worries about induction and further transfusions, my baby was born normally. Naturally. Spontaneously. (Well, mostly. I did have a membrane sweep.)<br />
<br />
And four days prematurely.<br />
<br />
After my son's birth, he spent some time with me, then was ultimately taken to the NICU. He was more or less fine at birth--clearly not anemic, no signs of shock, dealing great with the transition to being in the outside world. But because of my Rh sensitization, he would need monitoring for awhile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDv2Eu2SVdBADMuFncFcmCd6Q8hHybgPC8APNpkA8E3-CAuJHQlqtFK27Y6xsprNT4bkU2UdSK8HmzQTQPMVTzWJO6mbJb7Ig0dk1DQHmXpZaAspsP0Mb0Ok4znASHAub_tVdrsVrGSI/s1600/20170420_101228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDv2Eu2SVdBADMuFncFcmCd6Q8hHybgPC8APNpkA8E3-CAuJHQlqtFK27Y6xsprNT4bkU2UdSK8HmzQTQPMVTzWJO6mbJb7Ig0dk1DQHmXpZaAspsP0Mb0Ok4znASHAub_tVdrsVrGSI/s400/20170420_101228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Much of the next few days was a blur. I was recovering from birth, but despite my exhaustion, I barely slept that first night. Even without my baby in my arms, I was feeling the birth high! I eventually slept, but roused myself to use the breast pump every three hours or so. (I was determined to breastfeed! And determined that my baby would not drink a single drop of formula.) I visited the NICU frequently to see my little guy, and tried to nurse every time I was there.I slept as I could, and while I was sore, I never really needed pain medication of any kind.<br />
<br />
I stayed in the hospital for two days, eating mediocre hospital food (although they get bonus points for having vegan options beyond side dishes!) and pumping and shuffling back and forth from the NICU to my lonely little room.<br />
<br />
Coconut Baby, meanwhile, was in the NICU. Initial tests had shown his red blood cell count to be within the normal range, so he was definitely not anemic. His blood sugar was fine, although that'd be monitored for awhile due to my gestational diabetes diagnosis. Baby did, however, have an unknown quantity of my antibodies floating around in his system, and they were breaking down his cells at a faster than normal rate. The result? Jaundice. Baby's bilirubin count was very elevated, and still going up. At some point when I arrived for a visit in the NICU, he had been put on phototherapy, with two big sets of bili lights shining on him from above and a lighted blanket down underneath.<br />
<br />
He had blood tests twice a day, to monitor his bilirubin level and RBC, as well as his blood sugar. He had to wear a little mask to protect his eyes from the phototherapy lights. He had an umbilical IV and a feeding tube, although for the first few days they switched him to IV nutrients (as opposed to my milk; instead, I steadily built up a stash of pumped liquid gold in the NICU fridge). He was so tiny, and there were so many wires attached to him, although I recognize that many NICU babies fared far worse. He was very sleepy, from the combination of being newborn, slightly premature, and jaundiced, but aside from that, he was doing well. Breathing fine, no temperature problems, no heart issues. I was barely allowed to hold him; he needed to stay under the lights.<br />
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<br />
I only got to spend two nights in the hospital, and after that I was forced to spend the better part of every day away from my new little squish. Although I tried to take the opportunity to enjoy being with my older boy, my heart felt torn in half. I continued pumping every three hours, and every day when I visited the NICU I brought all the milk I had made. Baby kept getting blood tests, kept receiving phototherapy. I tried to nurse when I was there, and he received my milk in bottles when I was at home. His bilirubin remained high, and the doctors warned us were were edging toward baby needing a transfusion after all. But instead of just giving him blood--he wasn't anemic, after all--they'd be doing an exchange transfusion. Essentially, the idea would be to swap out most or all of his blood for fresh blood, blood that didn't contain my antibodies.<br />
<br />
It was a terrifying prospect.<br />
<br />
Instead, we authorized the doctors to give him a dose of IVIg (intravenous immunoglobulin), which would help protect Coconut's red blood cells from my antibodies; this, in essence, would slow the breakdown of the excess cells, hopefully either lowering his bilirubin count or at least leveling it out for awhile so his body could have time to catch up with the load.We were told that IVIg is normally not particularly effective in cases of Rh disease, but that it was certainly worth a try. Anything to try to avoid an exchange transfusion.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, it worked. Coconut's bilirubin dropped dramatically after he received the course of IVIg. He still had to stay on phototherapy, but they were able to remove one of the banks of lights. A few days later, we authorized a second dose of IVIg, which further helped his body get on top of things.<br />
<br />
Finally, after eleven days in the NICU, Coconut was allowed to come home with us. The monitoring wasn't over just yet, though. He needed a blood test three days later, and then another four days after that. We continued doing weekly blood tests for weeks, monitoring his bilirubin (to ensure it kept dropping), his red blood cell count (to ensure it <i>didn't</i> drop), and his reticulocyte level (which was an indication of how quickly his body was producing new red blood cells). Those days were the worst part of Coconut's week; he hated the heel pricks (who could blame him?), not to mention getting his blood pressure checked and all of his other vitals taken.<br />
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Finally, though, when he was approximately six weeks old, the doctors released him. Officially. Bilirubin was nice and low, indicating that his body was able to handle it on its own. Red blood cell count was up, indicating that my antibodies were leaving his system. Reticulocyte count was way up, indicating that his body was finally making plenty of new red blood cells.<br />
<br />
Six weeks after birth, my baby was finally free of the effects of my Rh sensitization.<br />
<br />
In the end, I feel like I was really quite prepared for the issues I encountered during the pregnancy itself, although the reality of the blood transfusions was far more intense than I had thought they would be. Where I felt unprepared was when it came to the aftermath. No one had really warned me of the issues we'd be dealing with after birth; I had naively believed that once baby was born, he might need a transfusion if he was anemic but that would be that. I hadn't realized that jaundice was a major concern. No one told me my antibodies could linger in his system for up to three or four months. I was unprepared for the frequent, heartwrenching blood tests, or the reality of having a NICU baby.<br />
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<br />
We got through it, though. It was so much harder than I expected, but it was quite worth it in the end. Of course! Being Rh sensitized made for, quite frankly, a pretty awful pregnancy and birth experience. Thank goodness for the modern medical procedures that enabled this baby to come into the world and into my arms.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
See more:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 1)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/mid-pregnancy-ish-update-similarities.html">Mid-Pregnancy-ish Update</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/02/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-2.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 2)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/03/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-3.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 3)</a> </i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-4.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 4)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-birth-of-coconut-baby.html">The Birth of Coconut Baby</a> </i></li>
</ul>
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-18376519319418733712017-04-30T12:00:00.000-07:002017-04-30T12:00:12.361-07:00The Birth of Coconut BabyWhen I was just past the 36 week mark, I saw my doctor for my final prenatal appointment.<br />
<br />
Of course, I didn't know at the time that it was going to be the last one!<br />
<br />
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<br />
As has been par for the course in this pregnancy, I had an ultrasound first. Well, technically I had a biophysical profile, since it was followed up with a nonstress test. I wasn't expecting that, but as with so many things this pregnancy, I didn't question the necessity. I was high risk and in my final month, after all; if my doctor thought a nonstress test was needed, then I was just going to go with it. Besides, I'd already spent so many hours on the fetal monitors that twenty more minutes didn't even faze me.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, this particular ultrasound was not reassuring. Despite the fact that it'd been only about two weeks since my baby's last blood transfusion--a big one, and which we were hoping would indeed be the last intrauterine transfusion--baby's MCA reading (the measurement of how fast the blood was flowing in one of the arteries in the brain, which can be an marker for fetal anemia) was showing high. Not dangerously high, but much higher than my doctor wanted to see, especially so soon after a transfusion.<br />
<br />
We did the rest of my appointment, and my doctor asked me to come back again on Friday for a follow-up ultrasound. We had already scheduled an induction for a few weeks away, aiming to get baby out around the 38/39 week mark (which is when they estimated another transfusion would be necessary), but my doctor warned me that the high MCA reading meant we'd be moving the induction forward by at least a week. Depending on how the ultrasound looked on Friday, we might need to induce that very day.<br />
<br />
This obviously was not what any of us wanted, but I know how bad anemia can be for a baby, so I readily agreed. We'd hope for the best on Friday, and plan for induction the following week. I told my husband and he told his job, and we all planned as best we could.<br />
<br />
I then asked my doctor if we could sweep my membranes at my next regular appointment. In case you've never heard the term before, a membrane sweep involves a doctor (or midwife) doing a cervical exam, and then if conditions look favorable (meaning, a certain amount of dilation has already occurred and the cervix is already somewhat effaced), gently lifting the amniotic sac away from the cervix. If the body is close to being ready to go into labor, this can sometimes kick things into gear. At the very least, we were hoping to encourage my body to keep making the hormones that would continue to thin my cervix out so that induction would be more likely to be successful.<br />
<br />
My doctor agreed that it sounded like a good idea. "I can sweep them today if you want," she offered. And so she did.<br />
<br />
Neither of us expected it to actually work, though!<br />
<br />
The sweep itself didn't hurt at all, which I was a bit worried about. It was uncomfortable, sure; cervical exams always are. But it didn't hurt. Before I left her office, my doctor warned me that I might experience some spotting, and that some crampy feelings were normal after a sweep. So I didn't think anything of it when I did indeed find a bit of bloody discharge, or when I noticed cramps during my middle-of-the-night bathroom runs. It felt like menstrual cramps, exactly what I was expecting based on what I'd read.<br />
<br />
The cramps did get a little worse as the night progressed, but they were nowhere close to bad. Certainly not anything I couldn't sleep through. They didn't feel like labor contractions. It was just the sweep, that's all.<br />
<br />
Sometime the next morning, they did start feeling a bit more like contractions. Similar to my first birth, I at first assumed that I was finally feeling the Braxton Hicks contractions. After all, I had been having them for weeks. Regularly. They had caused problems leading up to the last cordocentesis and transfusion, after all; they'd been so regular that the doctors had put me on magnesium sulfate to try to slow them down (but to no avail). So surely that's all these contractions were. I was finally starting to feel them.<br />
<br />
...Or maybe it was early labor?<br />
<br />
A few hours later, I lost part of my mucous plug. It was at that point that I started to take things seriously.<br />
<br />
My contractions started to get a little more uncomfortable. Still nothing I couldn't function through. I took my older child to swim class, where I found myself swaying my hips through the contractions. I was still able to drive, but sitting still was getting a bit uncomfortable.<br />
<br />
I downloaded a contraction timer app to my phone. Bug and I went home to have lunch, and the contractions were getting worse. When I finally started timing them, I found they were coming every 4-6 minutes, and were about 30 seconds long.<br />
<br />
The husband and I scrapped our plans for doing some baby gear shopping at Target. We went out for an early dinner of Thai food (spicy!), but my appetite was already starting to fade, and I ate barely any. I debated calling labor & delivery for advice, but my contractions were getting longer and stronger. I opted instead to just head straight to the hospital.<br />
<br />
The drive to the hospital sucked. There was traffic, and instead of 20 minutes we were in the car for at least 45. I couldn't lean back in my seat. But sitting up straight and leaning forward (as much as one can lean forward with a big belly, anyway) were uncomfortable, too. I kept timing the contractions, and they continued at about the same pace, although they were 45-60 seconds long at this point. Every time one hit, I did my best to wiggle as I could, trying to work through them, but that's hard when you're strapped into a car! I found myself thinking fondly of my son's birth, which took place at home. Why would anyone <i>choose</i> to drive to the hospital while already in labor?!? I knew the nature of my pregnancy meant that a hospital was the best place for me and baby--whom we had been calling Coconut--but I couldn't help but be a little wistful for the idea of another home birth.<br />
<br />
When we got to the hospital, I was checked in and shown to a room. I changed from my pants into a loose sarong; no hospital gown for me! They put me on the monitors and I waited for someone to come check my progress. I had put into my birth plan that I wanted to minimize cervical checks, but I was okay with a few of them (emphasizing that consent was required!). When the doctor finally came in, I was a bit disappointed to find I was only at a 5. I had already been at 3 the day before, when the membrane sweep occurred. And I'd been having contractions for hours already! The rational, birth-obsessed part of my brain tried to counsel me about the dangers of putting too much stock in exams--your cervix is not a crystal ball, after all, and just because the progress seemed slow didn't necessarily mean that I'd be in labor for days. Those contractions were working, and they were likely helping baby get into a good position and doing other things not readily apparent by the surface numbers. I was definitely in active labor; no doubt about that! Never mind the numbers!<br />
<br />
And then further bad news: Coconut was technically coming prematurely (by four whole days), and so the doctors wanted me on the monitors continuously. My room had a nice, deep tub for laboring in, but clearly I wouldn't be using it. I was stuck with bouncing on the yoga ball, moving my hips, and being massaged by the soothing hands of my husband and doula for pain relief.<br />
<br />
The nurse put in a heplock, and it was a sign of how far I'd already drifted into the haze of labor that I barely even cried. It took two tries, and I cried a bit for the first attempt and barely even flinched for the second. (For the record, getting an IV <i>always</i> makes me cry.) I just kept doing my thing.<br />
<br />
Time passed. I bounced on the ball, tried a few different positions for labor. I couldn't move far because they didn't have wireless monitors, but I ended up ultimately finding my place on the bed, kneeling and leaning against the raised backrest. Husband and doula massaged my lower back as I moaned and swayed through contractions. Husband also fed me ice chips and offered coconut water. I had actually brought snacks to the hospital, intending to eat despite their silly, outdated <i>nil per os</i> rule, but I wasn't hungry at all by that point. I could barely drink and suck on the ice.<br />
<br />
As time passed, I started to get exhausted. It was evening, past dinner. I hadn't eaten since lunchtime, and I had no interest in eating. My husband tried in vain to get our son to fall asleep. (Did I mention that he was there? Bug was super interested in being present at the birth, so we ultimately decided to bring him with us!) I continued working through contractions. Time became rather hazy.<br />
<br />
The contractions were hard, and I was feeling discouraged. I was starting to feel flushed, but then I was also feeling cold at times, too. (Transition, anyone? The rational part of my brain recognized it, but I didn't say anything aloud because I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up, least of all my own.) I was in pain, and I was so very tired. I started to doubt myself. The contractions seemed nonstop. I couldn't get any real rest in between them, and my limited range of motion made it feel like I wasn't coping well.<br />
<br />
I asked for pain meds.<br />
<br />
Not an epidural, but something short-acting, just something to take the edge off so I could rest a bit. I wasn't sure I'd have enough energy for pushing if I didn't get some rest.<br />
<br />
...And the nurses told me no.<br />
<br />
When the nurse came in, it was apparently pretty clear to her that I was past the point of medication. She offered instead to check me, so we could see how far I was.<br />
<br />
No one was more surprised than me to hear that I was at a 10!! I was given "permission" to push whenever I wanted. I realized I was feeling a little pushy, but not much, nothing like I remembered with my son's labor/birth. I tried bearing down a bit, but I was just so tired, and it's even harder to push when your body isn't helping you out.<br />
<br />
So instead, I opted for an intervention: I gave the nurse the okay to break my water. I had been hoping to let that happen on its own. With my Bug, my water didn't break until literally a split second before I pushed him out. I was secretly hoping that this baby might be born in the caul, since Bug had been so close. But it was not to be. I wanted this baby out, and I wanted him/her out now! Under the circumstances, breaking my waters seemed a small price to pay.<br />
<br />
According to my husband, the nurse soon returned with a rather scary-looking tool. I have since described a standard amnio hook to him, and apparently the tool they used at my hospital was not that. Regardless, they broke my water, and I soon felt a gush all over the backs of my legs and feet (I was still kneeling on the bed).<br />
<br />
The difference was immediate.<br />
<br />
With one of the next contractions, I felt an intense urge to push. And by urge, I mean my body started pushing, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it at that point. My husband says that you could <i>see</i> the difference in the contractions, in how my belly looked once that urge to push set in. I sat up as straight as I could on my knees and pushed! I groaned as I pushed, trying to keep my noises deep and my jaw open and loose.<br />
<br />
I pushed for another contraction or two. Apparently, I was making rapid progress, because the nurse asked me if I could try to slow it down a little. I don't remember my exact words, but my response was a resounding no! I guess no one expected baby to come quite so quickly after my waters were broken, and most of my birth "team" (on-call OB, more nurses, NICU pediatricians, etc.) was not yet in the room.<br />
<br />
Since there's obviously no way to stop a baby once it's coming, the nurse apparently yanked the "call the nurse" remote out of the wall, which sets off alarms in various parts of the hospital. I was lost in my labor haze, so I didn't notice as the room flooded with people. Another push, and baby's head was out. I immediately felt a sense of relief, but I wasn't done yet. One more strong push, and baby was earthside!<br />
<br />
It was 10:28 P.M. No wonder I was so tired!<br />
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<br />
I fell against the bed in relief, so glad to be done. I don't know who caught him, but my husband got to see him before me, and he quietly announced to me that we had another son! My firstborn, apparently, was standing by, completely enthralled with the process. Someone milked the cord, getting my potentially anemic baby as much of his blood as they could in a short period of time. The cord was cut, and the NICU pediatricians gave him a quick once-over before giving the okay for me to hold him. (Because of my high risk pregnancy, my Rh sensitization, they wanted to make sure he was not visibly anemic or in shock.) Someone helped me to sit down normally, to lean back, and I got to hold my precious new boy in my arms.<br />
<br />
Everything was still very hazy at that point. I know I held him for about thirty minutes before someone told me I needed to try to birth the placenta. I think the pediatricians took my Coconut again for a few minutes while the nurses helped me into a squat. A few pushes brought the placenta out, and then I reclined again and greedily reached for my boy.<br />
<br />
I gave the okay for someone to give me a small infusion of Pitocin at that point, to ward off any potential excess bleeding. I nursed my littlest boy while my husband and bigger (but still little) boy crowded around.<br />
<br />
Other immediate postpartum stuff happened, but I can't remember what all that was or in what order it occurred.. Placenta was examined, and I received the okay to take it home with me (or, rather, to send it home with my husband). My bottom area was examined; I had one small tear, but it was very much a surface tear, not even bleeding. I opted not to suture it. I switched my baby to my other breast and nursed some more. I ultimately allowed the vitamin K shot, even though I had been planning to decline in favor of drops. Coconut Baby got his Apgar score: 9/9. Bug started showing random things to the baby and trying to explain what they were; he was taking his role as big brother seriously right from the start! My doula took a few pictures, and eventually, quietly, bowed out. D bagged up the placenta and put it on ice. I kept nursing, cuddling, absolutely amazed at this new little person I had brought into the world.<br />
<br />
Coconut Baby was 6 lbs., 6 oz. He had a full head of hair and the tiniest hands and feet.<br />
<br />
After an hour or so, the NICU pediatricians unfortunately had to take my baby away. He wasn't in immediate danger from my anti-Rh antibodies, but he did need to have some lab work done, along with frequent monitoring, and his temperature was a little low despite being skin-to-skin with mommy.<br />
<br />
The room slowly cleared out. D took Bug home (it was after midnight by this point), Coconut was in the NICU, and the nurses cleaned me up a bit and arranged to move me to a recovery room. My arms were painfully empty, and the birth haze had lifted enough to remind me just how exhausted I was. Still, I was wired, and I sent out some text messages and called the moms to announce the good news.<br />
<br />
It had been a hard birth, much harder than I remember Bug's birth being. But I did it, and despite the circumstances--being stuck in a hospital, tethered to the fetal monitors, high risk pregnancy turned late preterm birth--the birth was pretty much everything I could have hoped for. Very few interventions, and those that did occur were with my full consent. Natural, medication-free vaginal birth. Almost immediate skin-to-skin, and nursing in the delivery room.<br />
<br />
Beautiful, perfect baby. My rainbow after two losses and a high-risk pregnancy. Bliss. Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-55584466227306891972017-04-13T05:02:00.002-07:002017-06-12T10:51:52.413-07:00An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 4)Just the other day, my baby received what will <i>hopefully</i> be her/his final blood transfusion before birth.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So. Worn. Out. </i></td></tr>
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<br />
By now, you'd think I'd be an old hand at this. This was transfusion number three, after all. Five days after another procedure day, although that one was just a cordocentesis. <i>Just.</i> I swear, I could draw constellations on my belly and arms from all the needle marks right now. My poor arms, in particular, seem to finally be getting visibly tired of being pincushions; the blood draws from both of these most recent procedures have left bruises, and that's unusual for me. Bruises that are still faintly visible a week later. Normally, I handle blood draws like a champ. I've had a lot of them this pregnancy, after all.<br />
<br />
Each one of these procedures is an all-day affair, with me arriving early for my ultrasound and blood draw #1 (there are always at least 2 blood draws, and 3 this time around), then spending hours waiting for the actual transfusion procedure. The wait usually has more to do with the blood bank than anything; when providing blood for an intrauterine transfusion, blood for a baby still in the womb, they do their homework and make sure the blood is the best possible match, the purest and cleanest available. Most days, as a result, the transfusion doesn't happen until after lunch.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I get to have an IV inserted (honestly, one of the worst parts; I cry every time) and spend some time on the fetal monitors. When I'm lucky, I only get monitored for 20 minutes. The last few appointments, I've been apparently having hardcore Braxton Hicks contractions. As in, very frequent, apparently pretty intense, although I have yet to actually feel a single one. Consequently, I've had the non-pleasure of spending <i>hours</i> on the fetal monitors. I've gone through several books, wasted more time scrolling Facebook than I care to admit, and played a ridiculous amount of phone games. All the while stuck in bed (is this what a standard hospital birth feels like?!?), wearing my hospital gowns (I always demand two, one for the front and one for the back), requiring permission for even the simple need to get up and go use the bathroom.<br />
<br />
Oh, and because of those contractions, they've put me on magnesium sulfate for an hour or two leading up to the procedure, in the hopes of reducing the duration and frequency of them. Woooo, something else in the IV.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuCaWfHlkmZeIl7Zv9g1XUaOHLhux0-Ai30-7fqyA-UmrlfK1V4ka4ML1SRNkLyD6r9vBx97kNMxnW17k0X5ylIWrfam64ci0eVxvggFCio_9udtquUHfR4j8koi5aWdmDnZCm_P-9bI/s1600/20170317_115855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuCaWfHlkmZeIl7Zv9g1XUaOHLhux0-Ai30-7fqyA-UmrlfK1V4ka4ML1SRNkLyD6r9vBx97kNMxnW17k0X5ylIWrfam64ci0eVxvggFCio_9udtquUHfR4j8koi5aWdmDnZCm_P-9bI/s320/20170317_115855.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I really, really hate IVs.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Apparently, magnesium sulfate has no effect on me though. Because the contractions didn't stop, or even slow at all. It didn't make me sleepy, or light-headed, or overheated, or physically unstable; the nurses were quite surprised that I was, in fact, still capable of walking to the bathroom on my own (although they insisted someone accompany me). The only side effect I noticed was that my vein up above the IV kind of hurt while the magnesium was going in.<br />
<br />
Also because of those contractions, I've had to consent to several cervical exams. They don't hurt so much as they're just awkward and uncomfortable, but I do understand their need to verify that I was not, in fact, in labor. Because I totally wasn't. Yes, I am ever so slightly dilated (good to know? Except I don't care, because cervical exams prior to labor tell me absolutely nothing about when labor will actually start, assuming it gets to start on its own. As the natural birth community reminds me, my cervix is not a crystal ball), but that's absolutely normal for being in my third trimester. I'm only half effaced, and baby is still very high up.<br />
<br />
No other real signs of labor, anyway. Baby shows no more reaction to my Braxton Hicks contractions than I do. No decels. No discharge, no fluids leaking. Definitely not in labor, but I consented to the exams anyway. Like a number of other things in a high risk pregnancy like mine, this wasn't worth fighting about. I've got other, more important areas where I need to stand my ground.<br />
<br />
And have I mentioned yet in this post that I'm not allowed to eat or drink in the hours leading up to the procedures? Yep, our old friend <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-do-you-call-it-when.html"><i>nil per os</i></a> rears its ugly head. Sure, I can sneak a bit of water when nobody is looking, but once my water bottle is empty, I'm stuck. Sure, I can sneak a mid-morning snack (and yes, I totally usually do; research shows that aspiration during/after general anesthesia is relatively rare, and rarer still is it actually life-threatening... I'll take my chances, thank you very much), but there's no way I could get away with a full lunch. Even if I wanted to.<br />
<br />
Anyway. The procedure itself usually takes about an hour. An hour on the table, being poked in the abdomen with needles. An hour of listening to the medical speak surrounding me. An hour of yoga breathing. An hour of keeping my eyes closed, even though the room is kept relatively dim so that the doctor can see the ultrasound screen. An hour of keeping the tension confined to my hands so that the rest of my body can stay loose. An hour of breathing in the <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?site=US&sponsorid=11344463&enrollerid=11344463">essential oils</a> I rubbed into my hands prior to the procedure (a blend of geranium, lavender, Roman chamomile, ylang ylang, and lemon, in case you're wondering), letting their scents keep me calm.<br />
<br />
Then I get to spend a few hours in recovery, monitoring the baby's heartbeat as well as watching me for signs of premature labor. (After all, these procedures necessitate puncturing my uterus with a needle! No one would blame it for getting irritable.) Because my baby is so wiggly, they've had to give medicine to sedate her/him these last few times, which means that part of recovery is waiting for baby to wake up and start moving again. We already know by heartbeat that baby is fine, but the doctors want to know that there's movement, too. As do I, of course!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2aJk32-NdyYe8pDyCF-ai_E5tmpWum3FgGmqY37WxQB71fzzlSdbYkif-KRyaQb3zrH1VDPmI2oFuEZqsClVG41DYVGxZfXClN2XXTQJhjipoC2W04qPtd9Jt866Ja8MLXLn9l6OIDo/s1600/20170406_132421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2aJk32-NdyYe8pDyCF-ai_E5tmpWum3FgGmqY37WxQB71fzzlSdbYkif-KRyaQb3zrH1VDPmI2oFuEZqsClVG41DYVGxZfXClN2XXTQJhjipoC2W04qPtd9Jt866Ja8MLXLn9l6OIDo/s320/20170406_132421.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's all for this little squish!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But now, hopefully, the transfusions are over. Done. Baby is tanked up with fresh blood and hopefully good to go for a few more weeks. We're down to the waiting game now. Soon enough, this baby will be earthside and all of this--the stress, the appointments, the blood work, the unpleasant procedures--will have been worth it. We're counting down the days.<br />
<br />
No one is counting down more fervently than I.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
See more:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 1)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/mid-pregnancy-ish-update-similarities.html">Mid-Pregnancy-ish Update</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/02/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-2.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 2)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/03/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-3.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 3)</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-birth-of-coconut-baby.html"><i>The Birth of Coconut Baby</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/06/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-aftermath.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy: Aftermath (Part 5)</a> </i></li>
</ul>
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-23985758018807579782017-04-12T18:08:00.001-07:002017-04-12T18:08:46.591-07:00Review: The 4X4 DietPersonal trainer <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/303357/erin-oprea/">Erin Oprea</a> never set out to create a “diet” program or write a book, and she certainly never thought she’d have devoted celebrity clients.<br />
<br />
But there’s a reason for her popularity. She helps clients–and now
readers–develop a clean eating style using just four principles, and her
simple workouts make exercise both fun and effective.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxb8CymMfLZ5pL9Ljp7rT31npPr4RapWnXxuxw3U0i2GkQunogT_G9WC-x6aZQjvkhnLNrvFbRqfS_IfKHlhTW3Dg8p58JQ7HT5WOj0uJBVNrr5N0XmWpij31-Eabw-JvuoCTKEDAjpY/s1600/4x4+diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxb8CymMfLZ5pL9Ljp7rT31npPr4RapWnXxuxw3U0i2GkQunogT_G9WC-x6aZQjvkhnLNrvFbRqfS_IfKHlhTW3Dg8p58JQ7HT5WOj0uJBVNrr5N0XmWpij31-Eabw-JvuoCTKEDAjpY/s320/4x4+diet.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
In <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/250390/the-4-x-4-diet-by-erin-oprea/"><i>The 4X4 Diet</i></a>,
Oprea lays out the basic principles that she uses to keep herself and
her family fit, and which also keep her clients coming back for more.
The book is separated into four sections. The first is a part
introduction, part motivation. The second details Oprea’s rules for
eating clean: no starchy carbs at night, less sugar, less salt, and less
alcohol. These four rules are accompanied by explanations of why
they’re necessary, and readers will appreciate Oprea’s straightforward
and simple reasoning. She also provides a list of necessary kitchen
items and a number of recipes that will help readers get started with
healthier eating right away.<br />
<br />
The third part focuses on the workouts. Oprea’s workout of choice is
the tabata, which is essentially a mini-workout made up high-intensity
exercises alternated with short rest periods. String a few of these
together and the result is a workout that is still relatively short
(following her advice means working out for less than 30 minutes) but
surprisingly effective. Oprea provides three levels of tabatas, with
numerous examples of each level; there are detailed instructions on how
to do the moves, making them accessible even to fitness newbies, and
there are plenty of pictures.<br />
<br />
Part four puts it all together into an actual diet plan, although
Oprea is quick to remind readers that this is a lifestyle change, <i>not</i> a temporary “diet.”<br />
<blockquote>
<i>“All of this can be done in just four weeks. Each
week, you’ll incorporate a new clean eating habit and slightly more
challenging tabatas. And each week, you’ll feel cleaner, leaner,
healthier, and stronger. That momentum will keep you going not just for
four weeks straight but for the rest of your life.”</i></blockquote>
There are pros and cons to this book. Readers will love her simple
rules, as well as the fact that she embraces “cheat” meals. At the same
time, the meal ideas she offers are pretty heavy on eggs and meat, so
readers who dislike those foods, or who choose not to eat them for other
reasons, may find themselves struggling with how to make it work for
them. Her rules are good ones, though, and a clean diet like hers could
very well aid in weight loss, so long as readers actually stick with it
over time (and minimize those “cheat” meals). The workouts are extremely
challenging, and some readers will love jumping right in, while others
might have a hard time staying motivated. It’s wonderful that she only
uses very basic equipment; readers can either work out at home and have
to buy only a few things, or do the workouts at their nearest gym.<br />
<br />
Overall, the book is quite short, which will help those interested
get started with their new lifestyle right away; a large chunk is
devoted to the individual tabatas, which don’t all need to be read
through before beginning the program.<br />
<br />
For those who need help improving their diet in small ways and who
want a simple–but challenging–workout plan to get started with, <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/250390/the-4-x-4-diet-by-erin-oprea/"><i>The 4X4 Diet</i></a> is a great resource.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<i>I received this book from <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-24364299590765589552017-04-06T14:33:00.000-07:002017-04-06T14:33:11.288-07:00Review: Boobin' All Day... Boobin' All NightEvery new mom has been there.<br />
<br />
Baby sleep. That thorny, difficult issue.<br />
<br />
We all want to know how to help our babies sleep longer. More. We
want to know the best ways to soothe. We want to know the best place for
baby to sleep. We want reassurance that nighttime waking is okay, and
that we’re handling it correctly. Should we be night weaning? Sleep
training? How much sleep is enough?<br />
<br />
We want to know that our baby is, in fact, normal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblBurV4jIAvANDNcsMLsK0hnKgtsDOkOBDOX9tOG0GWgmTsxj1Z2wFj7txIo0hwuJ4W2SVPxL6mn7Cyuf1gSjbtZvHY-qMpsTDeM1rpUZx6XA8WVjpSFWmE7M6StPO-Wa8qb3aANJGxE/s1600/boobin+all+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblBurV4jIAvANDNcsMLsK0hnKgtsDOkOBDOX9tOG0GWgmTsxj1Z2wFj7txIo0hwuJ4W2SVPxL6mn7Cyuf1gSjbtZvHY-qMpsTDeM1rpUZx6XA8WVjpSFWmE7M6StPO-Wa8qb3aANJGxE/s320/boobin+all+day.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<a href="http://themilkmeg.com/about-meg/">Meg Nagle</a>, renowned IBCLC (lactation consultant) and blogger at <a href="http://themilkmeg.com/">The Milk Meg</a>, is here to provide that much-needed reassurance. Her book, <a href="http://themilkmeg.com/i-wrote-a-book/"><i>Boobin’ All Day… Boobin’ All Night</i></a> is a short, sweet bit of sanity in a world that has way too many sleep trainers and baby whisperers.<br />
<br />
This is not the bestest, most complete book on baby sleep ever. (My suggestion for that would be <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Sleep-Book-Toddlers-Pre-Schoolers/dp/0349405204">The Gentle Sleep Book</a></i> by <a href="https://sarahockwell-smith.com/">Sarah Ockwell-Smith</a>. More complete, yes, but also a much longer read. It’s worth it, but don’t say you weren’t warned.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://themilkmeg.com/i-wrote-a-book/"><i>Boobin’ All Day… Boobin’ All Night</i></a>
is a relatively short book, ideal for the sleep-deprived parent who
just needs help NOW. Meg covers the essentials. She helps parents
understand why it’s completely normal for breastfed babies and toddlers
to wake up so much. She talks about why breastfeeding–or boobin’, as she
prefers to call it–is often the most surefire way to soothe said baby
or toddler, and how breastfeeding to sleep is absolutely not a bad
habit. She talks about co-sleeping and bedsharing, and offers guidelines
on how to bring baby into your bed–safely–so that everyone can get more
sleep. She talks about how routines can work while nursing on-demand,
caffeine, the breastfeeding-at-night-causes-cavities myth, and more. She
has a relatively in-depth chapter all about night-weaning, for when
it’s truly the best option or when it’s simply the right time. She
provides all kinds of ideas and methods, tips and tricks that might help
parents out with whatever challenge they happen to be facing at any
given moment.<br />
<br />
Through it all, Meg offers personal anecdotes, warmth, humor,
adorable pictures, and plenty of encouragement, which we all need
sometimes. Meg has a lot of experience with breastfeeding, both as a
lactation consultant and as a mother, and her experience shines through
in this lovely little book.<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Feel confident in mothering through breastfeeding and cuddling during the day and at night, just as nature intended.</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<i>I have been in no way compensated for this review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-62011314995672732192017-03-21T05:00:00.000-07:002017-03-21T05:00:27.983-07:00Review: Birth Work As Care WorkThese days, more and more pregnant people are starting to spend time researching birth before actually <i>giving</i> birth. They’re researching where they’ll give birth, who their care providers will be, who their support team will consist of.<br />
<br />
And yet, as a society we still have a long way to go. A long, long way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabKPgDcuLzjqI80rQ9mxoL2YFIJFz0d_D0UFdzGIKklna5KiC2PuLsLcvVfeghCzjQUGC5W3I-napyy8rkiQDH1j0JkS_J2ywromfP9LbQcMeEFGkdU7wb5mxgyKwnLkxoJtl1vascM4/s1600/Birth+Work+as+Care+Work_+Stories+from+Activist+Birth+Communities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabKPgDcuLzjqI80rQ9mxoL2YFIJFz0d_D0UFdzGIKklna5KiC2PuLsLcvVfeghCzjQUGC5W3I-napyy8rkiQDH1j0JkS_J2ywromfP9LbQcMeEFGkdU7wb5mxgyKwnLkxoJtl1vascM4/s320/Birth+Work+as+Care+Work_+Stories+from+Activist+Birth+Communities.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
It’s
easy for those of us who benefit from societal privileges to be
completely blind to the advantages we have. It’s easy to forget that
some birth givers don’t have access to the “good” hospitals because of
location, insurance, or financial means. For some pregnant people, a
higher risk of unwanted interventions or unnecessary surgery is
unavoidable. For some, home birth is not an option. For some, hiring a
doula is either impractical or impossible. For some, prejudice is faced
at every turn due to skin color or gender identity.<br />
<br />
For some, it’s a blessing simply to be able to give birth without being chained to the bed.<br />
<br />
There are many issues that those who perform birth work need to be
concerned with. Midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators are always
learning, always reading. A new book to add to the “to read” pile is <a href="http://www.pmpress.org/content/article.php/AlanaApfel">Alana Apfel</a>‘s <i><a href="https://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=784">Birth Work as Care Work: Stories from Activist Birth Communities</a></i>.<br />
This anthology delves into a lot of sensitive ideas that are not
often discussed in more mainstream birth communities, although there are
certainly individuals and groups out there that are working in these
areas.<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Ultimately the anthology is conceived as a platform
through which to honor birth–in all its forms–as itself a profoundly
radical act that holds the potential for deep transformative change.”</blockquote>
</blockquote>
For example, many sections discuss the idea of white privilege with
regards to birth, although those aren’t the exact words used. But there
are discussions about how birth is experienced by racial minorities, and
how marginalized groups have less options and less choice, and often
face a certain amount of judgment simply for who they are. In addition,
these people must sometimes deal with more affluent birth
workers–because birth work often tends to draw in white, wealthier
women–and the stigma of being “saved.”<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“One such problematic narrative relates to the language
of ‘choice’ within modern maternity care. The danger of celebrating the
rise of choice within transactional birthing environments lies in
masking ongoing forms of coercion that result in a denial of choice for
marginalized communities and those with less access to the kinds of
choice-making power enjoyed by more privileged counterparts.”</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Also discussed is how birth is shaped by a person’s gender identity.
Sure, plenty of white, hetero, cisgendered women give birth every day,
but that doesn’t mean that birth is restricted only to straight women or
even to those who identify as women. This book is sure to get readers
thinking about ideas that some may have never encountered before.<br />
<br />
And of course, <i><a href="https://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=784">Birth Work as Care Work</a></i>
talks about some of the issues that are widely known about among birth
workers of all stripes, such as how the institutionalized medical model
of care affects birth outcomes, the value of midwives, our society’s
implicit (but not always well-deserved) trust in medical professionals.<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“People see their doctors as authorities with complete control over their bodies and their babies–to the extent that they <i>expect</i> to be raped. The word <i>rape</i>
might sound extreme, but I am quick to point out that when someone does
something to your genitals without your consent, that is rape.”</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Readers will get an overview of some basic herbal medicine–just a
discussion of herbs, but no recipes–because of the importance of
reclaiming medicine for ourselves. There is also a wonderful,
straightforward glossary: the “Political Dictionary.” This gives readers
an easy understanding of some terms they may be less familiar with,
which makes this book even more accessible to everyone.<br />
<br />
There are discussions of how doulas can serve different kinds of
pregnant people, and readers will learn about groups they may not have
heard about before: volunteer doulas, prison doulas, doula training
programs, doulas that work in areas of reproductive health not normally
associated with doulas at all (like abortion or adoption).<br />
<br />
There are also a number of birth stories, which readers will love.
Birth is beautiful, and these stories celebrate it in all of its messy,
myriad forms. This is the kind of birth the author and others are
fighting for, and readers will enjoy getting to experience it up close.<br />
<br />
Overall, <a href="https://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=784"><i>Birth Work as Care Work</i></a>
is a book that will leave readers thinking and questioning, and perhaps
wanting to get involved (if they’re not already). This is a fascinating
and thoughtful collection of stories, questions, and essays, and a book
that any birth worker would benefit from picking up.<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Transformation happens when we come together and meet each other where we actually are, not where others perceive us to be.”</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<i>I received this book from the publisher, <a href="http://www.pmpress.org/content/index.php">PM Press</a>, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-47834410501289432342017-03-16T16:20:00.003-07:002017-03-16T16:20:25.597-07:00Review: HarvestDo you ever find yourself wondering what to do with some of those more obscure fruits or veggies that come in your weekly CSA box? What does one do with quince? How about huckleberries?<br />
<br />
Or what if you decide to be a little adventurous in your own gardening endeavors? How do you harvest rhubarb? When is the best time to plant herbs like oregano, feverfew, or lemongrass? Where do poppy seeds even come from?<br />
<br />
Or perhaps you're just looking for some unique ways to utilize nature's bounty. Did you know that you can make a lovely floral arrangement using artichokes? Or that you can make delightful seasonal salads composed entirely of herbs?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF7dz7Zw92etiN3HU-KlyePFAeKhAnbca-Z70esVe8ayJa-j1Oefsgpm4MEXNRk4313yT1LinZiqhWJ-S8z4ECaozzayhnFVSG8EkLNnuNiu6FVnbdv8p2AQwNa2hcMl5-2OZ53dB0U8/s1600/Harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF7dz7Zw92etiN3HU-KlyePFAeKhAnbca-Z70esVe8ayJa-j1Oefsgpm4MEXNRk4313yT1LinZiqhWJ-S8z4ECaozzayhnFVSG8EkLNnuNiu6FVnbdv8p2AQwNa2hcMl5-2OZ53dB0U8/s320/Harvest.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
If any or all of the above describe you to some degree, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537989/harvest-by-stefani-bittner-and-alethea-harampolis/"><i>Harvest</i></a>, a gorgeous hardcover book by <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/149486/stefani-bittner/">Stefani Bittner</a> and <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2135932/alethea-harampolis">Alethea Harampolis</a>. This is not your standard cookbook, and it's definitely not a normal gardening book. Instead, it contains some basic growing info on a wide variety of plants that are harvestable in the early growing season, mid-season, and late season. Some are common garden plants, while others might be ones you've never even thought about adding to your own yard. Some, like lilac, are plants you may not have realized were edible at all.<br />
<br />
The recipes, meanwhile, go beyond kitchen creations. There are also ideas for floral arrangements, teas, personal care products, and more.<br />
<br />
Each plant is featured in a four-page spread. One page features a full-page, beautiful color photograph of the plant, while the second discusses growing instructions and how to harvest the usable parts. The final two pages include a recipe of sorts and a photograph of the recipe results.<br />
<br />
What makes this book stand out is the uniqueness of the recipes. Everybody has heard of making rhubarb pie or rhubarb jam, but pickled rhubarb will be a new concept for many. We all know berries are delicious to munch on or turn into traditional preserves, but have you ever heard of a shrub? A shrub is a type of beverage made by preserving fruit with sugar and vinegar, and readers will learn how to make a delicious huckleberry shrub. Persimmons make a delicious snack, and the branches pruned every fall can be turned into a gorgeous wreath.<br />
<br />
This book is just packed with ideas! <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537989/harvest-by-stefani-bittner-and-alethea-harampolis/"><i>Harvest</i></a> is definitely a great addition to the library of any gardener, or anyone who is just looking for unique ways to work with plants.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<i>I received this book from <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-44533552295467348322017-03-10T11:00:00.000-08:002017-06-12T10:52:26.818-07:00An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 3)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n_Po8irKA-AIUxlhW-SvpuZP-UBrZR1h6Oc1918ukNm-QEOmH7yFojCVwQUixYbcU92gFvKSpd_3ZtR-SAFVGWc_YJEQ5VIJ42j-moFXY2dFnKKcyaYIPK7Qof8Ujb4Hl3dadkbBDaE/s1600/20170310_135445-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n_Po8irKA-AIUxlhW-SvpuZP-UBrZR1h6Oc1918ukNm-QEOmH7yFojCVwQUixYbcU92gFvKSpd_3ZtR-SAFVGWc_YJEQ5VIJ42j-moFXY2dFnKKcyaYIPK7Qof8Ujb4Hl3dadkbBDaE/s400/20170310_135445-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Somewhere between 30 & 31 weeks</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
About 28 weeks into my pregnancy, my baby started to show potential signs of anemia.<br />
<br />
At that point, we'd been doing weekly ultrasounds for quite some time (I've honestly lost track of how long exactly). Half of those ultrasounds were at my normal doctor's office, while the other half were in the hospital where I've been seeing a different specialist, one who has a lot more experience with my particular medical condition (Rh sensitization).<br />
<br />
As I explained in <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/02/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-2.html">my last post on this topic</a>, they've been monitoring four things in particular:<br />
<ul>
<li>the MCA, or how fast the blood is flowing through a particular artery in the brain (faster blood flow = thinner blood, which could indicate anemia)</li>
<li>the presence of hydrops, or excess fluid around certain organs or under the skin</li>
<li>swelling of liver or spleen, both organs that deal with old red blood cells (larger organs = baby's body is working harder to deal with the red blood cells that my immune system is attacking)</li>
<li>level of amniotic fluid</li>
</ul>
<br />
Any of these is considered a soft marker for anemia in a baby or fetus; the presence of two or more of these signs is much more indicative of a problem.<br />
<br />
At about 28 weeks, the MCA shot up. Before that, it had been staying on a nice curve (it naturally increases speed as baby grows) well within the "acceptable" limits. They've been tracking it on this nice-looking chart (I wish I had a picture of it to share, but I do not) that shows my numbers and what's considered both too slow and too fast. As my doctor once explained, a high MCA doesn't necessarily mean anemia, but he's never before seen a baby with anemia whose MCA wasn't above that acceptable limit. So once my baby's MCA became borderline too high, my doctor immediately ordered cordocentesis. Yes, it was only one of those markers mentioned above, but when dealing with fetal anemia, it's much better to be conservative and to do more tests than it is to watch and wait.<br />
<br />
Because one of the potential risks of cordocentesis is early delivery, I was required to have two shots of a corticosteroid ahead of time, which helps speed up the development of baby's lungs. I had the first after that fateful 28 week ultrasound, and the second on the following day at my regular hospital. Both are shots to the butt, so I probably don't need to say anymore about the unpleasantness of it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percutaneous_umbilical_cord_blood_sampling">Cordocentesis</a> is known by several other names: fetal blood sampling, or percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS). It's a test used to detect certain abnormalities in a baby or fetus; in my case, the goal is to obtain the baby's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_blood_count">complete blood count</a> (CBC), a number that can be obtained within minutes, which then indicates, among other things, how many red blood cells baby has (red blood cell count, or RBC). A low number for RBC is a definite marker for anemia. Additional blood tests are also done with the sample collected, but I'm not sure what all else they did.<br />
<br />
So here's the basic procedure for cordocentesis. It's an outpatient procedure, so I wasn't checked into the hospital. I got to stay in my regular clothes. They created a sterile area around my stomach with drapes and cleaning solutions, then gave me a shot of local anesthetic to numb the area. Using ultrasound as a guide, a larger needle was inserted through my abdomen and into baby's umbilical cord. Then they took a few small vials of blood, did the red blood cell count with some of it, and kept the rest to be sent to the lab later. The initial CBC did not show that baby was particularly anemic, so that was that.<br />
<br />
After the procedure, I had to spend 20 minutes being monitored electronically; they were watching baby's heart rate, to make sure baby had no issues from the procedure, and they were monitoring me to make sure the procedure hadn't set off contractions.<br />
<br />
There are definitely risks to cordocentesis, but they're generally pretty small. There's a risk of internal bleeding, hemorrhaging even, since they are sticking a needle inside me and inside baby's umbilical cord. There's a risk of preterm labor. There's a risk of baby reacting badly to the procedure, which might necessitate immediate (cesarean) delivery. There's a small risk of baby dying. But those risks are all small, and (in my mind) they were definitely outweighed by the benefits of knowing for sure if baby was anemic or not. <br />
<br />
We spent the better part of the morning in the hospital, then left, ate lunch, and headed home.<br />
<br />
The following week, I went back for my normal ultrasound (I'll be getting all of my scans at the higher risk hospital from here on out). Apparently, the MCA had jumped up further above that acceptable limit, so my doctor came in and told me that after cordocentesis the following week (which was already the plan, since we needed to see how baby was holding up over time), it was almost certain that we'd be doing a blood transfusion as well.<br />
<br />
Intrauterine blood transfusion. It's exactly what it sounds like: a blood transfusion to a baby (or fetus, depending on how far along the pregnancy is) while it's still in the uterus.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, my upcoming appointment was a whole lot more nerve-wracking. My appointment time was moved up and I knew it would be a longer day.<br />
<br />
Of course, I now realize I really had no idea what to expect from this new procedure. Sure, I had talked to specialists and read everything credible I could get my hands on, but the theoretical just didn't quite match up to the reality. I assumed they'd do it all at once, cordocentesis followed immediately by intrauterine blood transfusion, and that since they wanted me to arrive sooner it'd all be done fairly early. Instead, we spent pretty much the entire day in the hospital.<br />
<br />
The morning started with a blood draw for me (yay?), followed by the usual ultrasound. MCA was still high; still no sign of hydrops, stressed organs, or abnormally high amniotic fluid levels. Then, I was checked into the hospital. Formally. Intrauterine blood transfusion carries much the same risks as the cordocentesis does, but the numbers are higher. This time, the procedure would be inpatient, performed in one of the operating rooms just in case there was an immediate need for a cesarean.<br />
<br />
I was brought up to labor and delivery and checked in. We managed to sneak my husband and son up (well, bend the rules a bit might be a better description; the hospital recently instigated a "no visitors under 18" rule, and technically my son wasn't supposed to be there at all. If I had known that, both of them would have just stayed home all day!), and I was put into a labor room. I had to change into a hospital gown (ick) and they gave me an IV (double ick; also: ouch). I was not allowed to eat or drink anything (yay for <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-do-you-call-it-when.html"><i>nil per os</i></a>? Except not, since it's an outdated and non-evidence based policy) because of the slight risk of immediate delivery under general anesthesia. They wiped my belly down and shaved it (also in case of cesarean). They had me sign lots of consent forms. They even wanted to give me a catheter, but I managed to put that off unless actually necessary, since it literally only takes a few minutes to do. And they put the monitoring belts on me. I was all but prepped for a cesarean.<br />
<br />
So there I was, stuck in bed for HOURS, waiting until the blood was ready for the baby (and for me too, just in case). My husband and son got to stay for part of it, but once they left to get lunch, they couldn't come back. Finally, at some point after lunchtime, they were ready. I at least got to walk myself over to the OR, where the setup was much the same as with the cordocentesis. Sterile area on my belly, drapes, me lying there crying (because that's what I do when I'm anxious). Lots of doctors and nurses crowded around. Ultrasound machine on, and a quick scan to make sure everyone knew exactly where they were aiming. The local anesthetic, which my doctor described as a "bee sting," hurt a lot. The needle through my abdomen hurt even more (because I was only numbed on the surface).<br />
<br />
Not a lot of pain from the procedure itself; instead, I felt a lot of pressure and tugging. I kept crying off and on, but I tried to focus any tension I had on gripping my kleenix box (since I couldn't hold my husband's hand this time; next time, I'm bringing a stuffed animal!) so that I could keep the muscles in my belly loose. Lots of yoga breathing, and I like to think that the <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?site=US&sponsorid=11344463&enrollerid=11344463">essential oils</a> I applied just before leaving my room helped me stay calm, too.<br />
<br />
Turns out baby was more anemic than last time, but not as anemic as the doctor was expecting her/him to be. Consequently, the blood transfusion was rather small; they just gave baby a little boost with some fresh, thick, healthy blood. Everything was all over relatively quickly, thankfully.<br />
<br />
I was walked back to my room (yes, at least I got to use my own legs again!) for recovery. After an hour on the monitoring machines, I was allowed to eat lunch (which my wonderful husband brought, although my nurse had to go downstairs and get it from him), and the simple fact of consuming real food made me feel so, so much better. I hadn't been lightheaded or anything before, since I'd been receiving IV fluids, but there's something to be said for a good, hearty salad and a nice chunk of bread.<br />
<br />
Apparently, the norm for intrauterine blood transfusions is to continue monitoring mom and baby for at least three or four hours post-procedure. I managed to talk them down to two hours; I wanted to go home and be with my family, and there were absolutely no signs of distress in the baby or pre-term labor in me. And it's a long drive home. So after a few dull hours of sitting in bed--monitoring belts attached, peaceful music on the TV, book in hand... you'd be surprised at how weird and boring this was for me--I was finally able to sign my discharge forms. The dreaded IV was removed, I got to put on my real clothes again, and my little family and I began the long drive home.<br />
<br />
And guess what? Before too much longer, I get to do it again. And probably again a few weeks after that. And again every two or three weeks until baby is term enough for induction to be safer than another transfusion. This is the reality of an Rh sensitized pregnancy. It's not pretty. It's far from fun. But it's necessary to keep baby healthy and strong. Ideally, I won't be induced until 38 or 39 weeks, but we'll see how the reality plays out. <br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
See more:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 1)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/mid-pregnancy-ish-update-similarities.html">Mid-Pregnancy-Ish Update</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/02/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-2.html"><i>An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 2)</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="https://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-4.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 4) </a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-birth-of-coconut-baby.html"><i>The Birth of Coconut Baby</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/06/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-aftermath.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy: Aftermath (Part 5)</a> </i></li>
</ul>
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-73785352070720910342017-03-08T17:37:00.000-08:002017-03-08T17:37:43.606-08:00Review: Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo02p9TD6MGJP3wXs4HkrCYc_ofZsb7zwnZu7RPYvMS07_mDN7J5TbiSsQkvo0FFXiiyVbnWHrclpt4DEGQ5h_KEmWme9_AQGUlAoRDGAmON_J-7lv-TZBQYlU3-IEMj9Wj2a0myV6orM/s1600/healing+your+body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo02p9TD6MGJP3wXs4HkrCYc_ofZsb7zwnZu7RPYvMS07_mDN7J5TbiSsQkvo0FFXiiyVbnWHrclpt4DEGQ5h_KEmWme9_AQGUlAoRDGAmON_J-7lv-TZBQYlU3-IEMj9Wj2a0myV6orM/s320/healing+your+body.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
If you go to your nearest bookstore, you will no doubt find an extensive selection of <a data-mce-href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2014/07/great-books-for-your-pregnancy.html" href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2014/07/great-books-for-your-pregnancy.html">pregnancy books</a>: <a data-mce-href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-healthy-pregnancy-book.html" href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-healthy-pregnancy-book.html">general guides</a>,
week-by-week or even day-by-day books, books geared towards "natural"
mamas, books that appeal to "cool" mamas, books for dads, books that
tell you what to expect if you're a <a data-mce-href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2014/08/review-pregnancy-beginners-guide.html" href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2014/08/review-pregnancy-beginners-guide.html">beginner</a> or going for a VBAC,books that tell you <a data-mce-href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/01/review-what-to-eat-when-youre-pregnant.html" href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/01/review-what-to-eat-when-youre-pregnant.html">what to eat</a>.<br />
<br />
What you won't find are books that deal with the postpartum period.<br />
<br />
Well, there will be plenty of books related to <i>your baby</i> during that period: <a data-mce-href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2015/03/breastfeeding-tips-for-great-beginning.html" href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2015/03/breastfeeding-tips-for-great-beginning.html">breastfeeding</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-gentle-sleep-book-and-other-recent.html" href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-gentle-sleep-book-and-other-recent.html">baby sleep</a>, doctor's visits and <a data-mce-href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/vaccines" href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/vaccines">vaccines</a>, milestones, natural remedies, raising boys or raising girls, how to soothe your babies and what to do with them.<br />
<br />
What's missing are books related to <i>you</i> during those first few postpartum months.<br />
<br />
And
just think about everything your body has been through in the past ten
months. You've grown not only an entire human being, but also a brand
new organ (your placenta) and an expanded blood supply. You've gained
weight. You might have been through hours of intense labor. You might
have a tear in your bottom area after pushing that baby out, or you
might be recovering from major abdominal surgery.<br />
<br />
Surely, you deserve to focus on yourself for a bit, too.<br />
<br />
So pick up a copy of <a data-mce-href="https://healingafterchildbirth.com/" href="https://healingafterchildbirth.com/"><i>Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth</i></a>, and start learning about the steps you can take to take care of yourself!<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="https://drbrighten.com/" href="https://drbrighten.com/">Jolene Brighten</a>
is a naturopathic doctor who truly knows what she's talking about. In
particular, she has an extensive knowledge of how pregnancy can affect a
woman's thyroid and adrenals, which is a subject that many care
providers sadly know little about. She uses her knowledge about the
topic to educate readers, providing information about both hyper- and
hypothyroidism, as well as adrenal dysfunction. She talks about
treatment options and provides effective--and safe--natural remedies to
help women take control of their own health.<br />
<br />
Dr. Brighten provides
similar information on a whole host of postpartum topics. Breastfeeding
mamas will appreciate ideas for natural ways for soothing hurting
breasts, remedies for thrush, and recipes for making your own lactation
tea. Mamas who gave birth vaginally will surely find comfort in an
herbal sitz bath and appreciate knowing what supplements they can take
to help ease postpartum discomfort. C-section mamas will be thankful for
her recipe for an herbal wash to help keep infection away.<br />
<br />
There
are ideas for dealing with common postpartum complaints: constipation,
"baby blues" (and information about how to distinguish between simple
blues and actual depression), low energy, vaginal dryness, stress, and
more. There are recipes for all kinds of teas, soups, and smoothies, and
even body scrubs for self-care and delicious cookies. There supplements
that will help with all manner of healing. There is information on
postpartum nutrition, including how to support yourself through
breastfeeding.<br />
<br />
The information in <i><a data-mce-href="https://healingafterchildbirth.com/" href="https://healingafterchildbirth.com/">Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth</a></i>
will make a tremendous difference in the postpartum experience of any
new mama, and as such is highly recommended for both expecting mamas as
well as those who have recently given birth. Midwives, doulas, lactation
consultants, and anyone else who works with pregnant women will find
great value in this book as well.<br />
<br />
New mamas deserve to know how to
take care of themselves while they heal from birth and adapt to new
parenthood. This book helps fulfill that need. So do yourself--or your
partner, or your clients--a favor and dive right in.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<i>I
received a copy of this book as a gift from the author, although not
with any expectation of a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions
expressed within are completely my own.</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-53445694087964065912017-02-28T04:54:00.000-08:002017-02-28T04:54:37.994-08:00Review: Happy, Healthy Pregnancy CookbookIt's no secret that a healthy diet is extremely important during
pregnancy. Every pregnancy book ever devotes a substantial section to
food: how much, which nutrients, what to avoid.<br />
<br />
Okay, but what <i>should</i> a pregnant mama be eating instead?<br />
<br />
There
are plenty of lists of pregnancy superfoods out there, but some readers
want just a little bit more guidance. That's where a book like <i>Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook</i> can help!<br />
<br />
This
little book is a great guide to the best ways a woman can nourish her
body during pregnancy. The beginning talks about basic stuff: weight
gain, superfoods, vital nutrients, ways readers can encourage themselves
to do more cooking. The real "meat," as it were, of this book lies in
the recipe section.<br />
<br />
Registered dietitians <a data-mce-href="http://www.cjnutrition.com/stephanie-clarke" href="http://www.cjnutrition.com/stephanie-clarke">Stephanie Clarke</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.cjnutrition.com/willow-jarosh" href="http://www.cjnutrition.com/willow-jarosh">Willow Jarosh</a>
offer readers more than one hundred recipes that will nourish women
during this important time. These are recipes that are well-balanced and
include a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and meats, and
thus plenty of nutrients for a growing baby.<br />
<br />
Better yet, the
chapters are organized by common pregnancy symptom. Feeling nauseous?
Try some Avocado Toast with healthy fats and B vitamins, or
Quinoa-Veggie "Cheeseburgers" with plenty of protein without the smell
of cooking meat. Fighting off cravings? Satisfy your sweet tooth with
Peanut Butter, Apple, and Chickpea Breakfast Cookies. Third-trimester
heartburn got you down? Recipes like Confetti Sweet Potato Hash or
Lentil and Pumpkin Soup will provide a hearty sense of satisfaction
while avoiding common triggers like onion or tomatoes.<br />
<br />
<i>Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook</i> has such a thoughtful, <i>useful</i>
premise, and it's full of recipes that will appeal to the whole family.
This book is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who is struggling with eating
well during pregnancy, anyone who is hoping that some dietary changes
might alleviate common pregnancy symptoms, and anyone who just wants
some new ideas to pack in the nutrition.Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-46735711347308378872017-02-18T06:00:00.000-08:002017-02-18T06:00:17.537-08:00Review: Tox-SickIn this modern era, we are literally surrounded by poisons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaHdQYUAzmEDb3GgqZLfqtCL5bkzYa_N-KiIWp0Hp4Joh0xWJFUDrZRtVu5CA178XM39YfWmqOF7TSMHjgApFrEip7GRR4CJkOmIc99PpLPQB9uI9w0wAmalXs4gSw7Vc1nIPzm4vdEI/s1600/tox-sick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaHdQYUAzmEDb3GgqZLfqtCL5bkzYa_N-KiIWp0Hp4Joh0xWJFUDrZRtVu5CA178XM39YfWmqOF7TSMHjgApFrEip7GRR4CJkOmIc99PpLPQB9uI9w0wAmalXs4gSw7Vc1nIPzm4vdEI/s320/tox-sick.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
That's one of the primary messages that well-known author<a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/29103/suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/29103/suzanne-somers/"> Suzanne Somers</a> wants readers to take away from her new book, <em><a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/">Tox-Sick: From Toxic to Not Sick</a></em>.
Not only are we surrounded by poisons, but our bodies are, quite
simply, becoming overwhelmed by them. Decades of exposure to pesticides,
genetically-modified food, chemicals in carpets and furniture and cars,
fluoride in water, unnecessary medications, and more have taken a toll
on the bodies of many once they reach the tipping point. People are
feeling tired, bloated, foggy-headed, achy, and <strong>sick</strong>.<br />
<br />
If you're ready for a change, like Somers was, read on.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/"><em>Tox-Sick</em></a>
delves into many of the biggest health issues we face today, issues
that many people aren't even aware of (unless they've been directly
affected). Somers gets into some of the deeper causes of cancer, and
discusses how detoxification is necessary to avoid (or beat) it. She
talks about toxic mold, why it's become such a problem in recent years,
and what to do if you encounter it. She talks about nutrition, and how
the "low-fat" craze has not done us any favors. She talks about
antibiotics, and how they wipe out the good alongside the bad. She talks
about what supplements you should be taking to support your immune
system, your liver, your thyroid, and the rest of your body.<br />
<br />
Most readers will find themselves learning <em>a lot</em>,
and there's a good chance that a number of book titles will be added to
the "to read" list. The majority of the information in <a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/"><em>Tox-Sick</em> </a>is
delivered via interviews between Somers and various health
professionals, experts who have ventured off the beaten path and have
found themselves specializing in true health care. Many of these doctors
have written their own books, which will no doubt be sought out by
readers who recognize themselves and their problems in these pages.<br />
<br />
To
be honest, though, the fact that so much is told through interviews is
one of my biggest problems with the book. While the information in <em><a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/">Tox-Sick</a></em>
is fascinating, the Q&A format makes for rather tedious reading at
times. I understand that Somers wanted a lot of this information to be
coming directly from the experts, but I still can't help but feel that
there must have been a better way to accomplish this than through
verbatim interviews. As a copyeditor, I'm also a little bothered by the
lack of proper citations. There is a "Further Reading" section at the
end, as well as a bibliography, but it would be nice to know which
specific sources were used for each chapter.<br />
<br />
Overall, this book
doesn't quite live up to my expectations. Somers missed a lot of
opportunities to educate readers on some big issues. <em><a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/">Tox-Sick</a></em>
is written to be provocative, yes, but it also toes the line on a
number of topics that readers would benefit from knowing more about. One
example is fluoride. Somers makes a point of telling readers to avoid
fluoridated water, but doesn't go into any detail why; the mainstream
audience that this book is intended for likely doesn't know much of
anything about fluoride except what their dentist has been telling them
for years. Another example is vaccines. Several times, either Somers or
her interviewees allude to the toxins within vaccines, at one point even
talking about how "over-vaccinating" has made us sicker. That's as far
as this book dares to go, but there is still a lot left unsaid here, a
lot that readers might be curious to know.<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Within
hours of emerging from the womb, a newborn is given a dollop of
antibiotics in the eyes, injected with the hepatitis B vaccine, with
known neurotoxic properties, and jabbed with a vitamin K shot, which
contains 9 mg of benzyl alcohol. In 1992, Golding published concerns
that vitamin K injections could be associated with a doubled risk of
malignant disease in children, particularly leukemia. While there have
been considerable doubts about whether the association is coincidental
or casual, the controversy has never been completely resolved."</blockquote>
</blockquote>
All
three of those "standard" newborn procedures are quite controversial.
In some circles, anyway. This is just another missed opportunity to dig
deeper.<br />
<br />
In the end, though, <em><a data-mce-href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224024/tox-sick-by-suzanne-somers/">Tox-Sick</a></em>
is a good read, packed with great information that will hopefully get
people thinking and inspire them to take charge of their own health. The
personal stories that Somers presents from her own family are
heartbreaking, and the case studies from some of the doctors will give
readers hope for their future. This is a great introduction to a number
of issues that many don't even realize they're affected by. Here's
hoping that Somers can help turn the tide.<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It's time
for us to grow up and realize that nobody's going to save us; we've got
to save ourselves. It's up to each of us to control the amount of our
individual toxic exposures. To live and thrive, we need to truly think
about every product we use and every bite of food we take."</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
*****<br /> <em> </em><br />
<em>I received this book from <a data-mce-href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</em><br />
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-80357351710160114172017-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:002017-02-16T06:00:20.082-08:00Review: Punderdome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XkMNG9_1_PzKsD-0DI68aevF5R7tHgvKwSxU_W_3-BA-9DhE2GQCUoQdcgo5XmlmSubGZFdqI1MxMQuVGTs4G2MPVlfEDfBUj0vKTcHuBZu7GHfLauxVf32XDmnOGSZrCYM0usDtGOg/s1600/punderdome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XkMNG9_1_PzKsD-0DI68aevF5R7tHgvKwSxU_W_3-BA-9DhE2GQCUoQdcgo5XmlmSubGZFdqI1MxMQuVGTs4G2MPVlfEDfBUj0vKTcHuBZu7GHfLauxVf32XDmnOGSZrCYM0usDtGOg/s400/punderdome.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Puns are a way of life. For some people, anyway.<br />
<br />
For some of
us, the puns just flow. Puns about food, puns about jobs, puns about
current events. If you fall into this category of people, a game like <em>Punderdome</em> is right up your alley.<br />
<br />
This
game is literally all about puns. Making them, laughing at them,
judging which of them is funniest. The game play goes in rounds, with
the person leading the round--the Prompter--changing each turn.Each
round starts with a Quick Pun, which is simple Q&A style pun: "Why
did Mozart and Bach get in trouble in school?" While a sample answer is
provided ("They were caught passing notes."), players might be able to
come up with something more creative.<br />
<br />
The centerpiece of each
round is the prompt section. The Prompter has two cards which each
contain a single-subject prompt: pets, dieting, presidents, farting,
putting on a play, facial hair. Each player than has 90 seconds to
create a pun linking those two words together. The instructions offer
advice for making puns for newbies, and there is also a card that
contains examples for those who need an idea of how to combine topics.<br />
<br />
So
it's a simple game. The real question: is it fun? Heck yes it is! Well,
if you're good at puns, it is. Or if you're just good at creative
thinking. Or even if you're just opening to working on developing those
punny skills. For many, it could very well take a few rounds of gameplay
(or alcohol?) to get in the right mindset so that the puns are flowing.
For others, this kind of wordplay is easy as pie. But <em>Punderdome</em> has the potential to be lots of fun for anyone who dares to give it a shot.<br />
<br />
*****<br /> <em> </em><br />
<em>I received this game from <a data-mce-href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</em>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-7167360004008557622017-02-14T08:54:00.001-08:002017-02-14T08:54:51.861-08:00Review: Against All Grain Celebrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIBqOgc8d8sPlGtw23ojLnNo-5pAcrlqgoGySzNFLL2RqGKkseXuV-HiTwWRfmFwXhMc7W4cpbt03sRXnrzDMaaP9_Tv04CWxLCjTfl6EKfu1vVMC0rY8V5aEm3xR5BWU7wsq4ciRBtI/s1600/Against+All+Grain+Celebrations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIBqOgc8d8sPlGtw23ojLnNo-5pAcrlqgoGySzNFLL2RqGKkseXuV-HiTwWRfmFwXhMc7W4cpbt03sRXnrzDMaaP9_Tv04CWxLCjTfl6EKfu1vVMC0rY8V5aEm3xR5BWU7wsq4ciRBtI/s400/Against+All+Grain+Celebrations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Paleo is a relatively new way of eating, and despite the abundance of
blogs that have jumped on board with the idea, many who follow Paleo
have a hard time with family get-togethers. This is all the more
apparent at this time of year, with Thanksgiving and the winter holidays
right around the corner.<br />
<br />
Blogger Danielle Walker has been there, and she knows exactly how you feel. Over the years that she's been running her blog, <a data-mce-href="http://againstallgrain.com/" href="http://againstallgrain.com/">Against All Grain</a>, Walker has shared all kinds of recipes that readers have utilized for birthdays, picnics, and holidays. In her new book, <em>Danielle Walker's Against All Grain: Celebrations</em>,
she shares a diverse collection of tested and true recipes that are
certain to help readers navigate any number of parties and, well,
celebrations.<br />
<br />
The book is organized by occasion, with each holiday
or gathering offering a complete meal spread. Valentine's Day has ideas
for fun, child-friendly foods (Cupid's Arrow Pancakes, Lunch Box Love)
as well as a more adult dinner for two (Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs with
Parsnip-Turnip Puree, Salted Caramel-Chocolate Panna Cotta). Baby
showers, wedding showers, or other fun summer get-togethers can be
celebrated with Lemon Lavender Bundt Cakes or Ahi Tartare on Taro Chips.
There are plenty of different cake options for birthday parties,
delicious BBQ recipes for a game-day cookout, and a Thanksgiving spread
that features all the classics (Green Bean Casserole with Crispy
Shallots; Smoky Candied Bacon Sweet Potatoes; Braised and Roasted
Turkey; and, of course, three kinds of pie).<br />
<br />
Every single recipe
fits into a Paleo diet (although readers are always able to substitute
ingredients as fits their individual eating habits). Every recipe is
grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free; many are egg-free, nut-free, or
nightshade-free, and a number of them can also be utilized by those who
are following SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) or GAPS (Gut and
Psychology Syndrome Diet).<br />
<br />
Readers are going to LOVE this
cookbook! The instructions are all very straight-forward, there is
extensive information about the ingredients Walker uses (for those who
are unfamiliar), there is helpful information about ingredient
substitution and making dishes ahead of time, and nutritional data is
even available about every recipe on Walker's blog. Whether you are
gluten-free, grain-free, or full-on Paleo, this book will make every
holiday and family gathering so much easier.<br />
<br />
*****<br /> <em> </em><br />
<em>I received this game from <a data-mce-href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.</em>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-77224520759981850892017-02-03T14:19:00.000-08:002017-06-12T10:52:48.000-07:00An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 2)<br />
It has long been a mantra of the natural birth birth community that "women's bodies aren't broken." And long have I subscribed to that idea, since I was pregnant with my son and even through both of my miscarriages.<br />
<br />
Even now, I still believe it, at least in the sense it was originally intended. Our bodies do indeed know how to give birth, for the most part. When left to their own devices, most women with low-risk pregnancies will go into labor on their own, and given enough time and the right support, birth will eventually happen with no or minimal intervention.<br />
<br />
The key word there, of course, is <i>low-risk</i>. More than halfway through a <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy.html">high-risk pregnancy</a>, my perspective on the general not-brokenness of my body has changed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAiFAU2Zsc6l7RCmG8zYKiJeoykmZJ4tA5RLnpxdZmy6D0FKfX9KpjWfmcFZOfHclpQKMYZK0UrxkphwLtM2M0wbcwT3Iqd_tSf5pCv6F6Ar39GGNgL61GzRqA3vBbBsCbaIorKHEXkk/s1600/20170203_153804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAiFAU2Zsc6l7RCmG8zYKiJeoykmZJ4tA5RLnpxdZmy6D0FKfX9KpjWfmcFZOfHclpQKMYZK0UrxkphwLtM2M0wbcwT3Iqd_tSf5pCv6F6Ar39GGNgL61GzRqA3vBbBsCbaIorKHEXkk/s320/20170203_153804.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Almost 26 weeks!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When your baby is in danger from your own body... When your own immune system views your baby as a threat that it may eventually do its best to eliminate... Well, excuse me if it feels sometimes like my body is indeed quite broken.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
About three weeks ago, I missed a phone call from my doctor, and was rewarded with an ominous-sounding message: "I need to talk to you about your most recent titer test."<br />
<br />
We all know that if the news had been benign, she would have just said so in the message. Heck, for most of my blood tests, I never received any kind of call at all, as my doctors apparently subscribed to the idea that no news is good news. So when I received a call regarding my latest blood test, and that call came not from a nurse or the most recent OB I had seen but from my perinatologist (high-risk doctor), you'll forgive me for immediately assuming the worst.<br />
<br />
Well, it wasn't the worst, but it wasn't good, either. My titer--my blood antibodies against Rh(+) blood--had just jumped up. For the first few months of my pregnancy, those antibodies were barely detectable, and now they were suddenly in the range that meant I--and more importantly, my baby--required more intensive monitoring. My doctor immediately referred me to a new doctor at a new hospital, an hour away but where they had more experience dealing with Rhesus isoimmunization.<br />
<br />
So a few days later, the whole family set off on a long morning drive to see someone new. I had another ultrasound, just as extensive as the typical "anatomy scan" already done at my normal hospital just a few weeks prior, and more bloodwork done, since apparently every new hospital wants to type my blood and establish their own baseline when it comes to my antibody count rather than just relying solely on the medical records they have received for me.<br />
<br />
Then, we sat down to talk with the newest high-risk doctor on my team and to get an idea of what we could expect from here on out.<br />
<br />
The current prognosis: baby is not in danger. Yet. But we will be monitoring her/him much more closely for the remainder of my pregnancy.<br />
<br />
The current prescription: more ultrasounds. Lots more ultrasounds. Weekly ultrasounds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakTU2DPtJ1PfXI4jJtIw6P1QGhM0lkXuhf1muaTpNlTyqK_Z4ThvupCN3JcQGgRxIxW1eYs5u68zihDardePt6S4C6gsS3LhdNVsSY5E0eykVpjzdeltN7oM5iEWILaZPlmPmecSIkhk/s1600/20170203_145722%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakTU2DPtJ1PfXI4jJtIw6P1QGhM0lkXuhf1muaTpNlTyqK_Z4ThvupCN3JcQGgRxIxW1eYs5u68zihDardePt6S4C6gsS3LhdNVsSY5E0eykVpjzdeltN7oM5iEWILaZPlmPmecSIkhk/s320/20170203_145722%257E2.jpg" width="320" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monitoring the MCA</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It looks like, for the foreseeable future, I will be alternating between my "normal" hospital and the higher-risk hospital for those ultrasounds. Most of them will be rather quick and to-the-point, checking just a handful of things that may or may not indicate anemia:<br />
<ul>
<li>The velocity of the blood flow through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_cerebral_artery">medial cerebral artery</a> (MCA), which is one of the arteries in the brain. If the blood is flowing too fast, it's an indication of the blood being too thin, which is a potential marker for anemia. It doesn't mean baby is suffering from anemia in and of itself, but as the doctor explained, there is a range considered normal; a faster blood while flow doesn't necessarily mean anemia, every baby he has encountered who had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh_disease">rhesus-disease</a>-based anemia also had a blood flow that was above that average range.</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrops_fetalis">Hydrops fetalis</a>, or a buildup of excess fluid (edema) in at least two parts of the baby's body. The places the ultrasound technicians are looking are in the lungs, in the stomach, and around the baby's heart.</li>
<li>Swelling of baby's liver or spleen. The liver handles the decomposition of red blood cells; if my immune system is attacking the baby's blood and damaging baby's red blood cells, the liver will be working overtime to deal with the aftermath. An enlarged liver is a sign that baby's body is having a hard time keeping up with the damage my immune system is dishing out. Likewise, the spleen plays a role in disposing of old red blood cells, and an enlarged spleen can indicate that the spleen is working too hard to keep up with what's being demanded of it.</li>
<li>The amount of overall amniotic fluid. An excess of amniotic fluid (<a href="https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/ask-labor-nurse/high-amniotic-fluid-during-your-third-trimester">polyhydramnios</a>) is another indicator that Rh disease is starting to become a problem.</li>
</ul>
Every ultrasound I get will be checking those things, and if the doctors see any combination of things to concern them, then I will potentially face more invasive procedures to verify if baby is actually suffering from anemia (via testing a sample of baby's blood taken from the umbilical cord), and then to treat baby (via intrauterine blood transfusions) if that is the case.<br />
<br />
The good news is that, barring some sort of complication (there <i>is</i> approximately a 1% chance that, during an intrauterine blood transfusion, a problem will necessitate baby's immediate delivery), I will most likely be able to keep baby inside until she/he reaches term. If blood transfusions become necessary, they will have to happen every three weeks or so, but the doctor specified that they aim to time them so that the final one happens around 35/36 weeks; baby may still require induction if labor doesn't start on its own before 38/39 weeks (note that my son came at 37 and a half weeks entirely of his own volition, but every pregnancy and every baby is different, so who knows how long of a gestation this baby would choose if left to her/his own devices), but an induction at 38/39 weeks is infinitely preferable to an induction at 34 or 36 weeks, as I was initially told was a possibility.<br />
<br />
My second high risk doctor doesn't seem interested in doing any further blood work; as he says, my titers are already up and so we will step up the monitoring in response, and it doesn't really change anything to know exactly what the titers are at in the future. On the other hand, my primary high risk doctor (who I will now be seeing for all future regular prenatal checkups, instead of OBs and nurses from the standard OB/GYN group) sees value in continuing to monitor my titers; while they're in a concern-causing range now, and have only gone up in the past few weeks, it would be a good sign if they either stabilized or started to decrease again. So it looks like I get to continue being a pincushion, but only part-time.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
So we'll see how things go from here on out. Optimistically, ultrasounds will be the extent of baby's additional monitoring, everything will continue to look normal, and I'll be able to go into labor naturally and have the nice, normal birth I want. But that is far from a guarantee at this point. There's still a pretty high likelihood that induction will be necessary, and a slight chance still of a premature baby if complications occur at some point.<br />
<br />
All in all, a high risk pregnancy is the pits. It's unpredictable and completely out of my control, which makes it that much more stressful for me; about the only thing I feel I have any control over at this point is keeping baby's sex a secret until birth, and even that is in danger should any individual ultrasound technician forget my wishes and reveal the sex during one of my many upcoming scans.. For the time being, I am trying to remain focused on my joy at having this baby in my uterus, my excitement at eventually getting to meet her/him, and the knowledge that I have a solid team of doctors overseeing my care and doing everything possible to ensure a healthy outcome.<br />
<br />
That's about all I can do. Stay strong, little baby! We're more than halfway there!<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
See more:<br />
<ul>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 1)</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/mid-pregnancy-ish-update-similarities.html">Mid-Pregnancy-Ish Update</a> </i></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/03/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-3.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 3)</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-part-4.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy (Part 4)</a> </i></li>
<li><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-birth-of-coconut-baby.html"><i>The Birth of Coconut Baby</i></a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/06/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy-aftermath.html">An Rh Sensitized Pregnancy: Aftermath (Part 5)</a> </i></li>
</ul>
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-52620550318850772752017-01-29T11:21:00.004-08:002017-01-29T11:21:55.627-08:00Review: Amazing Animal FactsWe all know that "adult" coloring books are all the rage right now.<br />
<br />
But what about adult coloring... post cards?<br />
<br />
Okay, so I've got to admit that I've seen a few different colorable postcard sets floating around, but none are quite as fun and informative as this new set from author, illustrator, and architect <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2026505/maja-safstrom/">Maja Säfström</a>. <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/538412/amazing-animal-facts-postcards-by-maja-safstrom/">Amazing Animal Facts</a> is a set of 50 collectable, colorable postcards based on her book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Compendium-Amazing-Animal-Facts/dp/1607748320"><i>The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts</i></a>. These fun postcards feature a wide variety of animals from the seas, forests, fields, jungles, and skies. Each card, printed on easily colorable uncoated card stock, has a lovely drawing of an animal and one or more facts about said animal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiPkucViCEoFIhZP0mjUhL9xZngIS__vfBjw6cqgW6qNEDGX3XJIYDqA9TKTlI8vEtygbRtSIqx0p_givmK7YAc0O0FxRTOsmd8yeBiZBjszBY5wbKMYX72Em8dBWLtE7HEAPZ-Qgvec/s1600/Amazing+Animal+Facts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiPkucViCEoFIhZP0mjUhL9xZngIS__vfBjw6cqgW6qNEDGX3XJIYDqA9TKTlI8vEtygbRtSIqx0p_givmK7YAc0O0FxRTOsmd8yeBiZBjszBY5wbKMYX72Em8dBWLtE7HEAPZ-Qgvec/s320/Amazing+Animal+Facts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For example, "Sloths are so slow that they grow green algae on their fur."<br />
<br />
Or, "Kangaroos are the size of a kidney bean when they are born."<br />
<br />
Or, "Shark moms lose their appetite before giving birth so they won't be tempted to eat their own babies!"<br />
<br />
Oh, the things you will learn from this delightful set! Cute animals, fun trivia, <i>and</i> stress relief from coloring? What's not to love?!<br />
<br />
In fact, chances are good that you won't want to send any of these postcards out; you'll want to just keep them in their cute recipe-collection-style box to refer to periodically, or to place them on an end table somewhere where guests can amuse themselves with fun new factoids. This is a fun set that is sure to delight lovers of animals, lovers of art, lovers of coloring books, lovers of trivia, and more.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<i>I received this book from the <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-74371501330310346772017-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:002017-01-16T05:00:08.635-08:002017 Reading Challenges<br />
In 2017, I have decided to tackle three specific reading challenges, as well as one more open-ended option. I do a lot of reading, between reviewing for two websites (San Francisco Book Review and San Diego Book Review), writing for a digital magazine (Natural Mother Magazine), and occasionally writing about books here, on my personal blog.<br />
<br />
Last year, I just assumed that the sheer number of books that I read would mean that all of the challenge categories would just line up for me. At the end of the year, I learned otherwise. So this year, I'll be making some more discerning choices when I select new review choices, and I may be seeking out some specific books at the library or for my Kindle.<br />
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This year, I also have the added challenge of an incoming newborn, who I am expecting in May or so. We'll see how much a new baby puts a damper on my reading aspirations.<br />
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Now, the challenges.<br />
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First off is <a href="http://bookriot.com/2016/12/15/book-riots-2017-read-harder-challenge/">Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder Challenge</a>. (I didn't do too great on their <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/read-harder-2016-reading-challenge.html">2016 challenge</a>, so here's hoping I'm more successful this year!) This is only the third year of <a href="http://bookriot.com/">Book Riot</a>'s challenge, but it definitely promises to be the best one yet. There are 24 tasks on the list, with each one designed to help readers create a "perspective shift." With book spanning all kinds of genres and a wide variety of author categories, this one is sure to be fun... assuming I can fit more of the options into my reading list!<br />
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Second is the <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2017-42561300">PopSugar Reading Challenge 2017</a>, which I also attempted last year (see my <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/popsugar-ultimate-2016-reading-challenge.html">2016 challenge</a> results here!). This year, there are 40 normal categories and 12 bonus categories, covering a wide variety of topics. Some have to do with authors, some with plot or genre, others with more fun things like what's on the cover. It's quite a list, though, so we'll see how far I get.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yeAuqGHrX_-BR1oJbQp2JN-UZGk5ma2ubsItDJ0QkU9izkPskaCRxHif5511PhwuMRlaujQ2Opel4IGHuhIweX5Q9ttx77ChwWEq3rgj-ZuAiVDDfh5875yDcj40huwiWPnGY-yv4MY/s1600/2017pbreading.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yeAuqGHrX_-BR1oJbQp2JN-UZGk5ma2ubsItDJ0QkU9izkPskaCRxHif5511PhwuMRlaujQ2Opel4IGHuhIweX5Q9ttx77ChwWEq3rgj-ZuAiVDDfh5875yDcj40huwiWPnGY-yv4MY/s200/2017pbreading.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Then there's the <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/picture-book-reading-challenge.html">Picture Book Reading Challenge</a>, which I picked up from a book blog called <i><a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a>.</i> Seeing as my son is on a <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2017/01/raising-bibliophile.html">quest to read 1000 books</a> in the next six months or so, this one was an obvious choice. Even when my son isn't in reading-machine mode, he still loves to read, so I imagine this one will be easily doable for us. I might need to use a little foresight and put some specific books on hold at the library, to make sure we hit specific authors and subjects, but that's easy enough, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH4r81NPAdDPgSvhB4dWTUqGckhSrC3vu0z4afC3qIusA6zWjCijqvGGNsYq1_-Wxou09u38sBa0MmLi81gmPeEYbLBJiVIkR16K3cP0WuCEGAvn5pYr00m7QipGVpz2WNfbXUF_qMlE/s1600/foodies2017300.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH4r81NPAdDPgSvhB4dWTUqGckhSrC3vu0z4afC3qIusA6zWjCijqvGGNsYq1_-Wxou09u38sBa0MmLi81gmPeEYbLBJiVIkR16K3cP0WuCEGAvn5pYr00m7QipGVpz2WNfbXUF_qMlE/s200/foodies2017300.gif" width="200" /></a>The non-specific challenge I'm taking on is the <a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/december-foodies-read/">Foodies Read 2017</a> challenge from SpiritBlog.net. This isn't an exact thing; instead of reading specific books, or even books that fit specific categories, readers/bloggers are to simply write and post reviews of books where food plays a major part. That can be cookbooks, novels set in restaurants or food-related settings, memoirs... anything where food is an important part of the book. And since I occasionally review cookbooks, I figure why not? Maybe it'll motivate me to get a cookbook review up here at least once a month; we'll see.<br />
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So that's my reading challenge agenda for 2017. What are you reading this year??Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-53836524125824337152017-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:002017-01-14T05:00:15.333-08:00Review: Wake Up to the Joy of You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a new year, and January is a time when many people make resolutions to make some big changes. Author Agapi Stassinopoulos is all for change, but rather than making potentially unobtainable resolutions, she advocates that this year be one of self-discovery, a year when we look inward to learn more about ourselves and, in the process, create the kind of life we really want.<br />
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Her newest book is <i>Wake Up to the Joy of You</i>, and it's a collection of meditations, thought-provoking questions, and simple life practices that can help readers change themselves for the better.<br />
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There are 52 chapters in this book, and each focuses on a specific theme. Each features a short(ish) reading about the topic, followed by either a guided meditation, simple practices readers can take to truly hold that message in their hearts, or both.<br />
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For example, one chapter urges readers to focus on worries, and how chronically worrying about things--especially things outside of your control--can lead to anxiety and fear; this reading is followed by a guided meditation to help readers let go of worry about things they cannot influence or change. Another chapter inspires readers to find their calling, to think about the things in life they are there to learn or teach, the challenges they must overcome, and more; this is followed by a short list of simple suggestions, including a journal prompt and a writing project to help readers fully visualize what their lives would look like if they could truly follow their calling.<br />
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This book is not one to be rushed through. Readers would do best to savor each chapter, to read one per week (or so) as suggested in a time and/or place where they can focus on what Stassinopoulos has to say and to truly take her words to heart. Readers will get even more out of the book if they take the time to actually do the guided meditations and/or attempt the activities she suggests.<br />
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Really, this is a gorgeous book. It's small and compact; it'll fit nicely on your bedside table, or in your handbag or backpack for a trip to your local coffee shop. Each chapter, peppered with personal anecdotes and quotes, is long enough to get readers thinking but not so lengthy that readers will find their minds wandering. The author's warmth shines through, and readers will get the sense that she really does care about the personal progress they're making.<br />
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<i>Wake Up to the Joy of You</i> promises a "calmer, happier life," and readers who work through the whole book are sure to discover the truth in that!<br />
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<i>I received this book from the <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.com/">Blogging for Books</a> program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!</i>Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-61012807827789765572017-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:002017-01-13T05:00:13.859-08:00Raising a BibliophileSeveral months after moving to Virginia, I finally got around to getting a local library card.<br />
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Okay, to be fair, I got a card for the local <i>city</i> library months ago. Bug and I have hit story time there a few times, and it's a cute library with a decent set of books. But we hadn't made it to the <i>county</i> library yet. The closest branch is actually right across the street (almost literally), but it's currently closed for renovations (reopening next summer or autumn), and I didn't figure out that there's a temporary branch open a block away until just a few weeks ago. And since I did discover that, it's just been too cold to go.<br />
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I know. Whine, complain. I'm serious, though; it's been in the 20s and 30s lately, and most of the time we don't have a car during the day, and there's no way I'm walking even a few blocks when the temperature is at freezing or below.<br />
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So. Anyway. We finally got a library card to the county library a few days ago, and when we were there, we heard about a new program they just started called <a href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events/1000books/">1000 Books Before Kindergarten</a>, which is exactly what it sounds like. The goal is to read kids 1000 books before they start kindergarten. They don't all have to be different books, and you don't have to track every individual title. Instead, the librarian gives you a series of coloring sheets, if you will, which each have a certain number of butterflies on them. Kid colors in a butterfly for each book, and once you fill in a sheet, you take it to the library for a reward. There are different milestones to aim for: 100 books, then 250, 500, 750, and finally 1000.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJk76IzdmRQSQ2VP57ukTUHa6G4iMNRztGnM93-hmXBDhkTa3kYwDjCKfRPJeWdtwzP8Y4qHsKGEz1vWAS-ezkMKjv6vdq3aABx5zJ2iN2uwCrVDCDDrVSatyiyMZfiKZbBrUDPYYyCg/s1600/2017-01-12+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJk76IzdmRQSQ2VP57ukTUHa6G4iMNRztGnM93-hmXBDhkTa3kYwDjCKfRPJeWdtwzP8Y4qHsKGEz1vWAS-ezkMKjv6vdq3aABx5zJ2iN2uwCrVDCDDrVSatyiyMZfiKZbBrUDPYYyCg/s400/2017-01-12+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Almost done with this sheet!</i></td></tr>
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Theoretically, you sign up for the program after first having read 25 books. Considering the amount Bug and I read every day, I just signed up same day, because we've obviously read way more books than that over the course of his life so far. Parents can sign up even their little babies, so I figured we're covered.<br />
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Once I explained the premise to Bug, he got very excited. Because: prizes. Actually he took it as a personal challenge of sorts (which is guess *is* technically the point).<br />
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The result? We read more than 75 books over the past three days. Bug claimed his first reward this morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's a magnet!</i></td></tr>
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And there's no slowdown in sight.<br />
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Bug has always been a big reader, just like his mama. He has an overstuffed bookshelf in his bedroom, plus there are always other books rotating in and out of the house: review books; library books; new arrivals from bookstores or book sales or Paperback Swap coming in, other books we weren't too thrilled with heading out.<br />
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While we lived in both San Diego and the Sacramento area we hit story times nearly every week. Bug has participated in the Summer Reading Program every summer he's been alive (again, because: prizes). When I request new review books from one of the outlets I write for, I almost always ask for a few picture books for his sake (and before too much longer, he'll be able to start reviewing books himself!). We frequently buy books from library book sales and I can't walk into a regular bookstore without picking up at least one new selection for him. Bug obviously can't actually read to himself yet, but he enjoys having even longer stories read to him, including ones meant for 2nd and 3rd graders. He's got a short attention span for most things, but he'll happily bring me book after book after book. We can read for <i>hours</i> on any given day.<br />
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So a challenge like this is really not pushing us to do anything new. We're already big fans of books. But it is bringing out Bug's competitive spirit, and it's giving us something specific to work for.<br />
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Just another way I'm working to raise a book lover, I suppose. Bug loves being active, playing board games, being wild outside, watching cartoons, and doing other normal almost-five-year-old things. But it's very important to me that he not only appreciates books, but that he love them. Books are amazing tools, and I dearly want my son to grow to love them the way I do. And programs like this are a fun way to motivate him to do something he already enjoys.Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-26847121530285983742017-01-08T05:00:00.000-08:002017-01-08T05:00:06.488-08:00Mid-Pregnancy-ish Update: Similarities & Differences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1_amzzWYL730nN-zXX4VsVO9sKuyKIdne0VanBp7LrG8ncyJImkpFYUjplDM3-iNymps8NICfm9260txZi54ob-9okkC8f05PmUJaUbWjCVX3-nqkxviGc-77-qESaAQyib96XkJFCE/s1600/2017-01-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1_amzzWYL730nN-zXX4VsVO9sKuyKIdne0VanBp7LrG8ncyJImkpFYUjplDM3-iNymps8NICfm9260txZi54ob-9okkC8f05PmUJaUbWjCVX3-nqkxviGc-77-qESaAQyib96XkJFCE/s320/2017-01-06.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Sometimes, I don't even know how to properly label this pregnancy.<br />
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Whenever I tell someone I'm expecting another baby, or whenever they notice my little bump, they always ask what number it is. <i>Is it your second?</i> they'll ask, eyeing Bug nearby. Well no, it's not. Technically, this is my fourth pregnancy. Fourth. But things get murky because Bug is my only living baby, and lots of people don't really recognize miscarriages as actual pregnancies. Or they like to pretend that since the baby never was born, not in a traditional sense anyway, that it never existed.<br />
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I don't like glossing over my losses; they were real; those babies existed, if only for a short time physically, although forever in my heart. My decision to openly acknowledge the pregnancies I lost tends to make people uncomfortable. Or maybe they just don't know what to say. Either way, I find myself in an awkward position; I'm not fishing for sympathy when I mention my miscarriages, but I also don't want to pretend that there was only nothingness between Bug and now.<br />
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Fourth pregnancy, second baby? Simply say this will be my second living baby? I feel like I'm jinxing myself when I say that. Even now, more than halfway through the pregnancy, I find myself not wanting to believe that this is all real. Unable to believe. I likely won't believe until I'm holding this baby in my arms. I may sound morbid, but there's still no guarantee that a living baby lies at the end of this journey. Any woman who has suffered a loss can understand the fears that underlie an otherwise healthy pregnancy.<br />
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It's hard to really contrast this pregnancy with any of my others. Bug was born so long ago now, nearly five years, and I honestly have a hard time remembering what my pregnancy with him was like. As for my other two pregnancies, I found myself comparing this one to them and contrasting at every turn. As much as I don't like to admit it, part of me was trying to avoid doing anything wrong, making any mistakes, doing anything that might increase my risk of another miscarriage. Even though I know, intellectually anyway, that neither one of those losses was my fault, I still couldn't help but wonder if I could do things better this time around, somehow.<br />
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I found myself comparing pregnancy symptoms and discomforts. I remember being really nauseous when I was pregnant with Bug, for pretty much my entire first trimester. I also dealt with nausea during my second pregnancy, the one I lost at 12 weeks. I had none with the third, but that one lasted only six weeks. So when I started feeling sick a few weeks in with this one, what did it mean? What about the exhaustion I started feeling as I inched closer to that 12 week mark? How much was pregnancy-related and how much was simply from running around after my son?<br />
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There have been other interesting comparisons as well. With Bug, I broke out like crazy toward the end of my first trimester. I constantly had pimples around my mouth and on my chin. Some people told me that was a clear sign I would be having a boy (old wives' tale, of course, although I did indeed end up with a son), while others simply reminded me of the amount of extra hormones my body was producing. This time around, my face remains clear as can be. Does that mean I'm having a girl? Does it have anything to do with my diet (I was lacto-ovo vegetarian when I was pregnant with Bug, but I've been fully vegan for a year and a half now)? Is it simply a case of every pregnancy is different?<br />
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When I was pregnant with Bug, I didn't really have much in the way of food cravings. I did have a few aversions--tea, chocolate. Contrary to what some predicted, meat continued to gross me out (a few people told me I'd surely start craving it). If I craved anything, it was greasy things: breakfast sandwiches (I had all but eschewed eggs for a long time before that), french fries, other fried potatoes.<br />
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This pregnancy so far is much the same. I stopped drinking tea a few weeks in; my body apparently knows that caffeine is a no-go, and I don't even want herbal tea, although I drink it sometimes anyway. My aversion to chocolate isn't as strong as it was with Bug, but I still haven't voluntarily eaten a brownie in a long time, I can't handle hot cocoa, and I stopped buying myself the high quality dark chocolate bars I used to indulge in. About the most chocolate I can handle now is the occasional chocolate chip cookie. As for cravings, I don't know that I really have any of those either. Nothing so bad that I want to send D out in the middle of the night in order to achieve satisfaction. I've been wanting potatoes on occasion (french fries again, and I find myself making fried potatoes frequently in the mornings), tater tots. I have wanted onion rings a few times. I definitely find myself gravitating toward salty rather than sweet these days, but for the most part, I'm still eating the same overall-healthy plant-based diet as I was eating pre-pregnancy. <br />
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When I was pregnant with Bug, I exercised consistently throughout my first trimester. I was running three or four miles at a time, lifting weights, attending cardio kickboxing-type classes, swimming. I started to taper off sometime during my second trimester, for various reasons related to scheduling and energy levels. I did yoga for the duration of pregnancy number two, and I honestly can't remember if I had started regular exercise again (or not) for number three.<br />
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By the time I got pregnant with this baby, I had been well settled into a regular routine, switching primarily between several workout DVD sets and an at-home yoga practice. I continued exercising for the first few weeks after my positive test, but I have to admit that I fell out of practice soon after. Even though I know, <i>know</i> that exercise does not cause miscarriages, that irrational fear was definitely part of the reason why I quit. Other reasons included nausea and exhaustion.<br />
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Once I had gotten past the first twelve weeks, the most scary part for me, and been in for a regular doctor appointment where I could verify that baby was still alive and well (there's that morbidity again), I started exercising again. And for the most part, I've managed to stick with it. I've been exercising 4-6 times per week, sticking with a mixture of yoga and my workout DVDs (modified as necessary, of course; avoiding pretty much all abdominal and back-lying exercises at this point, and focusing more on yoga and strength than on cardio) and occasionally trying out videos I find on YouTube or apps on my phone.<br />
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Pretty much every book I've read on prenatal fitness (and trust me, I've read a lot of them) indicates that there are myriad benefits to staying fit throughout pregnancy. At this point, now that my baby has a consistently strong heartbeat and I can feel him/her moving frequently, I am beyond my fear of somehow damaging my baby. Instead, I'm focusing on this as one aspect of the pregnancy that I have complete control over. Being <a href="http://leavesoflavender.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-rh-sensitized-pregnancy.html">Rh sensitized</a> means that there are many things I likely don't have control over--where I give birth, some of the tests I will have to endure, certain hospital procedures, not to mention the possibility of induction if things get bad--but I can control how healthy my body is and do everything in my power to ensure strong muscles, a centered mind, and--hopefully--a good birth (even if there's a possibility neither I nor baby may get to decide when that will be).<br />
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***<br />
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In the mommy groups I'm in on FB, lots of women ask when others first felt their baby move. To be perfectly honest, I don't remember when I started feeling Bug move. I really don't. Pregnancies two and three never got that far. This baby, though, I've been feeling since I was about eleven weeks.<br />
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Eleven weeks! But I was afraid to tell D for days, in case I was imagining it, and I didn't mention it to anyone else for some time either. They were only the lightest flutters, but I felt them. And continued to feel them through and beyond my subsequent prenatal appointments. And even so, only I could feel them; it's only within the past few weeks that anyone (meaning, D and Bug) has been able to feel them by placing a hand on my belly.<br />
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By this point, though, those movements are pretty strong. Strong enough that they keep me awake at night sometimes. Strong enough that I can't concentrate on other things sometimes because I'm just so in awe of the life inside me. Strong enough that I can't fall asleep at night because I just want to lie awake and revel in the fact that this baby is still with me.<br />
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At roughly halfway through the pregnancy, I have a respectable baby bump, too. I also don't remember how fast my bump grew with Bug, other than to say that I remained relatively small throughout. My bump now isn't huge, but it's big enough to get in the way when I do yoga and to make it hard to sleep.<br />
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Roughly halfway done. Here's hoping the rest of this pregnancy goes as smoothly as the first part has gone.Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290255598024083177.post-37140358327956993462017-01-07T05:00:00.000-08:002017-01-07T05:00:28.794-08:00PopSugar Ultimate (2016 Reading Challenge)<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, challenge #3 for 2016. <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2016-39126431">PopSugar's Reading Challenge 2016</a> aimed to help dedicated readers broaden their scopes and included an interesting variety of categories.With 40 different categories, this was definitely the most extensive of the ones I attempted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Of course, I only managed to hit 22 of those 40 categories. Not a bad haul, but next year I aim to do better. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The moral of this challenge? Well, I guess I kind of thought that by reading a ton of books as a reviewer, all of these categories would just sort of fall into place. Clearly, that's not the case. I tend to read a lot of non-fiction (specifically books on parenting, pregnancy, and natural living, as well as cookbooks), modern/popular fiction, and young adult novels (guilty pleasure). So when it comes to hitting specific marks like in this challenge and the other two I attempted in 2016, I fell short. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In 2017, I plan to try a little harder to expand my horizons. Going to request some review books I otherwise might not have asked to read, and maybe pick up some others from the library or for my Kindle to read in between.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, here's PopSugar's list. Take a look!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book based on a fairy tale</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Immortal's Spring</i> - Molly Ringle (this is kind of a stretch, as it's loosely based on Greek mythology, but I'll run with it) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A National Book Award winner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A YA bestseller</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>The Rest of Us Just Live Here</i> - Patrick Ness </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book you haven’t read since
high school</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book set in your home state</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed. Maybe? There's a good chance I read a book set in California, but I can't remember which one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book translated to English</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Megalopolis</i> - </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="st">Cléa Dieudonné</span> (yes, yes, I know, using a children's picture book for this category is a bit of a cop-out, but it <i>is</i> a translation!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A romance set in the future</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book set in Europe</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper</i> - Phaedra Patrick</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book that’s under 150 pages</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My son started to get into early chapter books this year, books that took us hours to read aloud, and many of those were under 150 pages. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A New York Times Bestseller</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Career of Evil</i> - Robert Galbraith </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book that’s becoming a
movie this year</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book recommended by someone
you just met</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>The Night Circus</i> - Erin Morgenstern </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A self-improvement book</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>A Plant-Based Life</i> - Micaela Cook-Karlsen </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book you can finish in a
day</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Best Friends Forever</i> - Kimberla Lawson Roby</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book written by a celebrity</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Tox-Sick</i> - Suzanne Somers </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A political memoir</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book at least 100 years
older than you</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book that’s more than 600
pages</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">America's First Daughter - Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book from Oprah’s Book Club</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A science-fiction novel</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>And Again</i> - Jessica Chiarella </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book recommended by a
family member</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed... going to have to start asking around! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A graphic novel</span></b></div>
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<i>Something New</i> - Lucy Knisley<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book that is published in
2016</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">DONE - almost every book I read in 2016 was published in 2016!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[?] A book with a protagonist who
has your occupation</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> I'm *sure* that at least one of the books I read had a mother or a writer for a main character...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book that takes place
during summer</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Summer of Supernovas</i> - Darcy Woods </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book and its prequel</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A murder mystery</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Silent in the Grave</i> - Deanna Raybourne</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book written by a comedian</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A dystopian novel</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I read at least one of these, but I already used it on another list. I think that for 2017, I may do away with my no-doubling-up-between-challenges rule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book with a blue cover</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Opposite of Everyone - Joshilyn Jackson </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book of poetry</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed - not much of a poetry fan </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] The first book you see in a
bookstore</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed - I usually don't buy books for myself. Weird. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>[ ] A classic from the 20th century</b><br />
Failed<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book from the library</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Ghost Boy</i> - Martin Pistorius</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] An autobiography</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Laughing Through Life</i> - Larry Moran </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book about a road trip</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book about a culture you’re
unfamiliar with</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>A Sworn Virgin</i> - Kristopher Dukes </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A satirical book</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[ ] A book that takes place on an
island</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Failed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[X] A book that’s guaranteed to
bring you joy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy</i> - Beau North </span></div>
Holly Scuderohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11952942010714094175noreply@blogger.com0