Don't Retract Pack

Positive Birth Affirmations

By Neve Spicer © 2018


Positive Birth Affirmations 

Regularly practicing positive birth affirmations during pregnancy can have a powerful effect on your mind and body when it comes to birthing your baby. They can help you to achieve the calm and controlled birth that you want.

There is nothing 'airy-fairy' about positive affirmations. Just ask sport psychologists. They are well aware that an athlete's frame of mind directly affects how their body functions. Confidence and positive belief improve physical performance. This principle holds even truer as a woman progresses through labor; her calm and confident mindset help her uterus (aka Wonder Muscle) to function optimally. This, in turn, creates the best chance of a quick and easy delivery. 

But here's the thing:

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) research has shown that around 80% of our 'self-talk' (ie, our internal dialogue) is negative. Our beliefs are imprinted on us from an early age but, sadly, these are often negative. It’s very common for women to have fears and negative assumptions surrounding birth. Perhaps these stem from inaccurate stereotypes on TV, or women sharing birthing 'war stories'. Either way, they are neither necessary nor helpful.

The good news is that we can literally reprogram our brains. It's actually pretty simple. Afterall, our brain can only hold on to a few pieces of information at a time. By repeating positive affirmations, they soon 'squeeze out' the negative thoughts, leaving your subconscious pleasantly full of positive beliefs about birth. Emotionally, you'll notice a sense of confidence and calm as you approach your baby's beautiful birth.

I'm passionate about positive birth affirmations. They played a powerful role as I birthed both of my children. (Pictured is the moment my second child, Dara, was born into water at home. It was a beautiful experience.) That's why I chose to bring together the most gorgeous and effective affirmations that I could find. Here they are, below, in one place accompanied by the stunning birth art of Amanda Greavette.

How to get the most out of these affirmations:

• Read through the list of affirmations.
• Choose the statements you like the most.
• Cut them out and put them somewhere obvious (eg, walls, mirrors, or in your handbag)
• When you see them, say them!



Neve is a natural birthing advocate and mother-of-two. She blogs at WeTheParents.org.


Birthing (group)


Positive Birthing Affirmations (Printable Poster)

Positive Birthing Affirmations (Printable Poster)

 • Peace Breathe Birth
• My Body is NOT a Lemon
• TRUST BIRTH
• Birthing Goddess
• Women of Earth: Take Back Birth!




Healing Hubby

Additional information and updates can be found at the Healing Hubby Facebook page.


It's been 90 days today since my husband was pulled from sea (finally) and we learned my fear was accurate - he had colon cancer.

The SHORT update is: Nick is doing great! He is healing and deeply immersed in a new anticancer lifestyle.

The LONG update is below and is not meant to hurt, offend, or tell anyone what they personally should or should not do, so it may be something you don't wish to read. But it is the real, raw, authentic full update of where we've been, and where we are at, told from my perspective, with Nick's input and blessing, and because we are tossing around the idea of sharing further what we've been learning with those who are interested/may benefit, the full story is bound to come out in one way or another at some point.

Cancer is a *very* personal topic, and I fully believe each individual has to decide for themselves what they believe, what they desire, and what actions they feel best taking - this could look very different from one person to the next, and it could change along the way for any one individual, and that's okay.

*******

90 days ago today Nick learned he had Stage 3 Colon Cancer, on the eve of Colon Cancer Awareness Month. This came with a 90% blockage from a very large tumor that had grown through his sigmoid colon wall and entered into the lymphatic system. Hearing the news -- each of us in different rooms, apart from each other (the Navy is never very good at presentation of sensitive information) -- was shell-shocking, despite the fact that I was expecting it, based on previous knowledge of colon cancer and experiences with those who'd been through this before. Still, it was a numbing, spinning, stand-still time to have a surgical and oncology team say it out loud to me. Due to the size of the tumor, there were oncologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons all coming together immediately to discuss Nick's case and see how quickly they could get him into an OR. None of these individuals typically worked on the same floor, but they just happened to be there between their own patients this day, at this time, when this was found. When they spoke, my ears buzzed; my tired, worried head was fuzzy; the room kept spinning.

A kind Navy (male) nurse put his hand on my shoulder. He didn't say anything, but I could read the words he wasn't saying - "I am so sorry." It was the closest thing to a hug either of us would get that day, but his kindness mattered to me. "Cancer. Did they say cancer to you, too?" Nick asked as soon as anesthesia wore off enough that they brought us back to a room together.

Oncology is one floor directly under gastro at the Naval hospital here, and because they are SO busy with cancer cases these days they only treat those who have cancer and are active duty. If you're a family member, regardless of Tricare coverage, you will not be seen here. It is estimated 1 in 3 people will get some form of cancer now, and this is occurring at younger and younger ages. Cancer among active duty military personnel is also skyrocketing. And so is colon cancer among those younger than 50 -- 1 in 23 Americans will have colon cancer at some point, and it is becoming a "young person's cancer." We were certainly not the only ones there with such issues, but the teams shifted things around, and Nick became their top priority case. The gastro and surgical teams we had were fantastic. They explained everything in detail, they included me in each step of the way -- going beyond hospital protocol to allow me to be by Nick's side through everything.

Colon cancer is something I am not unfamiliar with... My first real and raw experience with its devastation was in college. My then-boyfriend's mother was an absolute sunshine in my life. She was grace and kindness, love and support, laughter and encouragement, all wrapped up in the beauty of one woman named Barb. I was so ignorant at that time -- despite watching my own grandfather die of cancer, and knowing how very prevalent it is on one side of my family, especially. I stood by while Barb underwent conventional cancer treatments of chemo and radiation that destroyed her body, her livelihood, her ability to truly LIVE. And I knew nothing about how I could help. I assumed there was nothing any of us could do. Pray. And let chemo do its thing. We would go to her house for dinners -- meats and pastas and sweets and tasty things. To the end she was an amazing cook. Her dog, Maggie, got the scraps, and was my furry buddy soaking up the tears when she left this earth. Maggie would pass away also from colon cancer months after Barb. At the time we all thought this was so strange...but assumed they must have been 'connected' in some way.

Still to this day, I cannot fathom the heartache of losing your mom SO young. I would do anything to go back and share what I now know with her. Knowing she would be leaving her kids is what destroyed her the most. The last evening before she flew free from this earth I was beside her bed in the hospital. She had greeted me with as much JOY and excitement as she had every single time before -- "Dannnnelle!!! Hello!!! It is so good to see you..." As if I was the very person she wanted to see -- she had a way like that - making you feel so special and wanted and cherished.

I told her that night that she was an amazing mom, and that her sons are forever blessed because of everything she has done. They will live incredible lives because of her steadfast love, influence, and wisdom imparted. She held my hand as we talked, and I sensed it would be the last time.

Before she left there were a few things she gave to me -- a sailboat chime that has always hung above my kitchen sink, and still does to this day. A butterfly vase that I use for special occasions. A butterfly candle holder that sits on our counter, and a small succulent plant that still grows in my living room window 15 years later. I still feel her here. And if I am honest, I still miss Barb, too. She was the unconditional love of a mother I so dearly needed -- one who would wrap arms around me no matter what, and offer advice and wisdom drenched in big-hearted compassion. I hope I am some of this with my own children as they grow.

When Barb passed away I began experiencing some of my own (auto-immune) health issues. This was likely due to the stress of multiple grad school programs I was completing, and 30 years of ignorant living (and eating)... 20-somethings can eat anything, right?! Pre-30s you're indestructible. Ah, so naive. It was commingled with what I ignorantly allowed to be injected into my body (vaccines are NOT without side effects), and the onslaught of toxins from every angle of the Standard American Lifestyle. In my quest to heal I found the books "Spontaneous Healing" (https://amzn.to/2HM2L5d) and "Patient, Heal Thyself" (https://amzn.to/2HKX5s0). Much of what Jordan Rubin presented spoke to me. If we eat in a way that the human body was designed to eat, it has miraculous abilities to heal. If we treat the body in a way that it is meant to be treated, renewal can come. God doesn't make mistakes with this perfect design and GOOD plan...

Fast forward to the fall of 2012 and my first official "cancer scare" came. There was a 5-inch mass on my thymus that thoracic surgeons and oncology said was "likely 1 of 3 types of cancer and needed to be removed." It could not be biopsied without removal, and to do so would require collapsing my lung, going through my chest, and a pretty hefty hospital stay to recover. It did not sound fun. At that juncture I dove head first into what I would come to know as anticancer research. I found Chris Wark's (https://amzn.to/2QzBA0l / www.chrisbeatcancer.com) compilations of research he had done -- his Stage 3 Colon Cancer having been found the same year Barb passed away from colon cancer/treatments... I decided that for at least the first 6 months I would make radical changes, pour anticancer things into my daily life, and "wait and watch" the mass on my thymus. As I went into the following year, there was not even close to the amount of material available today, but I sought out everything I could, and saved my pennies to implement every single thing possible while we lived in a small 2-room apartment. I bought a rebounder, a Vitamix, Nick bought a juicer (though in hindsight it was *not* a good one ;) ), and I did my best with the information I had at the time.

I read Kris Carr's materials ("Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor" and others https://amzn.to/2HOlP2U). And I was thrilled to find Dr. David Servan-Schreiber's compiled research in his aptly titled book, "AntiCancer: A New Way of Life" (https://amzn.to/2JQ4mcv). Every study Chris Wark found, I was on it -- going back to the original to investigate the methodology, results, and see what I could learn. There are over 100,000 peer reviewed studies published annually on nutritional/healing/health research. A LOT have to do with anticancer eating. But only a minuscule fraction of these end up in our mainstream media or oncology offices because there simply is no money to be made in eating plants and focusing on individual behavior modification and radical lifestyle change. Plus, humans don't like to be told they played a role in cancer cell growth. At least not at first. Doctors know it is "nicer" in the short-term to tell someone there is nothing they did or did not do to cause this -- just crappy "bad luck." The reality is most cancer cases are absolutely things we do, or are exposed to, or eat, or take part in, or don't do, or a combination of all of the above, that feed cancer cells and support their longevity, growth, and blood supply. The awesome, empowering reality is that when we know how and why and what we do that causes cancer cells to grow, we can then make the radical changes necessary to STOP growing these same cells. If my lifestyle (or my eating) is resulting in cancer cell growth, then a dramatic change to my lifestyle (and eating) can result in cancer cell destruction.

Taking ownership is empowering. 

By summer 2013 the mass on my thymus had all but disappeared, and it was deemed to not be a threat.

Fast forward to 2017. Another "cancer scare" for me -- this time, with my thyroid. I knew something was really wrong in this regard (thyroid, adrenal gland, auto-immunity) because although I eat impeccably well most of the time since 2012, and I'm always active outdoors with my kids with every waking/free moment we can squeeze in, I am also considered "obese" by BMI standards (and have been shamed by physicians, random strangers at the store, family members, and society at large). People make assumptions when they see a fat person, and these assumptions are usually pretty brutal. Plus, the cold hard reality is that excess fat on the body is a perfect breeding ground for cancer cell growth. No matter the positive steps and healthy lifestyle practices taken, thyroid issues and extreme adrenal fatigue are real and powerful in not so great ways, and this has played out in my own body. With Hashimoto's, PCOS, early-onset-extreme-arthritis, and cold urticaria, there are obviously some major things wrong. As I began to learn more about healing in this capacity (thyroid, adrenal, auto-immune), my endocrinologist told me a mass on my thyroid was "solid, dark, and resembled what is usually thyroid cancer."

One VERY painful biopsy later, it was found to be benign. Praise Jesus! But I never want to go through that again, and I desperately want to be able to run with my children again; to be outside with them when it is below 70-degrees and not have hives from cold urticaria reactions to cool air, water, and surfaces; to play with them and not have my knees snap and give out in horrific painful agony at any given moment. I do not want to die of cancer, or any other preventable disease. I love my kids too much, love life too much, and just want to be here to adventure along the way with them.

SO my research continued. And while it broke my heart to see how Nick was choosing to live and eat, I made the decision the summer of 2017 that no matter what, I would take responsibility for myself - even if it had to be without the support of a partner - and that I would keep moving in a direction of healing for the sake of our kids and their mom. I do not want them to lose me as Barb's kids lost her. 50 is way too young to die. I want to see my children grow up, and to know and play with my grandkids, should that be in the plans for their lives...

2017 was tough. I was often sad and bitter that I didn't have a supportive partner in it all. Nick would say the right things, but bring home pizza, soda, cookies, donuts, ice cream, pancakes, pasta, and meats for him and the kids. He said that he wanted to "eat healthy," but he had no clue what "eating healthy" meant, and couldn't wrap his head (or desire) around eating plants. It was so foreign to him and everything he grew up with. I would have to suck it up and keep silent (watching my loved ones slowly poison themselves), finding my own things to eat, or I'd have to be the "bad guy" and try to get everyone to nourish their bodies with what I knew they needed. I would try banning certain things from the house (if you eat it at work, just don't bring it home)... and then be heartbroken all over again to find boxes, containers, and bottles from junk food in the trash or in Nick's car.

I shed quite a few tears, and I prayed massive amounts.

In Feb 2018 God shifted something inside me. I know it was divine intervention because while nothing changed in the way Nick was living (or eating) or the poor influence this was having on our kids, my HEART toward him and these things was altered overnight. The bitterness and anger and sadness and frustration and loneliness and hopelessness was all lifted away.

"It is WELL with my soul." "I know the plans I have for you ... plans for GOOD and not destruction..." Promises were repeatedly spoken to me. I could not see the plan, or how it would work out, but I knew I would be held, and loved, and healed. So would my children. So would Nick.

Most of 2018 Nick was away for very long days and weeks with the Navy. We saw little of each other due to military life, and the day after my birthday in October came another dreaded long-term separation. He would be gone until the end of December, home for 10 days, and then back to sea Jan-March 2019. He was expected to be back and forth to sea, and then overseas for most of 2019, all the way to March 2020. I was fearful of this, not because I hadn't been through deployments and underways before, but because this time something didn't feel right to me. I was overwhelmed with this intense, pressing feeling that Nick was not meant to be at sea, and across the globe for the next year-and-a-half. During this time, as I was having all these feelings, and Nick was gone, he started bleeding... and it didn't stop.

I knew something was wrong right away when I saw photos (that Nick took) and he told me more of what had been going on while he was away. However, the Navy kept writing it off as something minor. He was too valuable in his position with the submarine fleet to let go for testing -- and even when he was checked for this or that while at sea, it was dismissed and not taken as seriously as it would be if he had been a less vital part of the command. At one point he was even told, "If you were anyone else, you'd be off this boat..." but he was too important to "clean up" one of the worst-functioning submarines in the U.S. Navy, and get its crew ready for deployment.

Despite not being able to get messages through (so many problems with transmission, and not being able to speak as freely as you otherwise can when someone isn't reading all your email between the boat and home, with "trigger words" like 'blood' and 'cancer' not allowed), I kept pushing him to say things - to speak up and get the testing he NEEDED. They kept putting it off. Finally, after intensive tears and praying over it all, Nick was off the boat the next day, and in for testing.

We would find out on the very eve of Barb's passing 15 years earlier, that Nick had Stage 3 colon cancer. This came with a 60% chance of making it 5 years. We were shown images of the 90% blockage, and Nick was placed into emergency surgery that was expected to last 2-3 hours. It ended up taking 7.5 hours in the OR that day. His entire sigmoid colon was removed, in addition to surrounding tissues, supportive ligaments, blood vessels, and lymph nodes.

I asked every. single. doctor. involved in Nick's case about potential risk factors for this (not so much because I didn't know myself, but because I wanted to see what they would tell me). Surprisingly, they would all say, "heavy meat consumption" and "the standard American diet..." ALL that is, except the lead oncologist, whose job it was to push chemo as the only option and tell us there was nothing Nick did that caused this, and nothing that he could do to heal. "If you don't start chemo within 3 weeks, you are crazy, and your likelihood of survival goes down significantly." We were given every standard line in the chemo book.

Trust me - if you're thinking it yourself right now, we have already heard it. Save your breath and know that we've gotten the spiel already.

But here's the thing:

Everyone we've known personally, or have read their stories of, who has had colon cancer and opted for standard chemo treatments either died, or got much worse. Everyone we've known personally, or have read their stories of, who has had colon cancer and opted for radical anticancer life and eating change is alive and well and thriving. And research - if you look deeper than the surface drug reports and big pharma and oncology brochures - supports healing through life-change too.

Nick made his decision (at least for the first 90 days), and thanks in BIG part to friends who stepped in when we were at our weakest, to make sure we would be off to a good start and have what we needed to get going, we were able to fully dive in to anticancer eating and detoxing the moment we walked out of that initial diagnosis.

You've seen our posts (and if not, you can ask ;) ). We have made efforts to get every known anticancer substance into Nick's body in massive amounts (with the exception of THC containing CBD oil due to his active duty position and the Navy testing that comes with that --- which, for the record, I think should have exceptions in medical cases where THC containing CBD oil will aid in healing). We are overdosing in anticancer nutrition, and praying circles around these matters (see "The Circle Maker" https://amzn.to/2I8Jzxn and "The Healing Code" https://amzn.to/2YZuQvG).

We've eliminated everything from toxic bug spray to sunscreens to cleaning products. I've tossed all the alcohol and perfumes and anything that could be carcinogenic. We've ditched processed foods, animal products (with the exception of occasional eggs), simple sugars, etc. We have Air Doctors cleaning the air on both floors of our home, and a Berkey filtering all the water we drink.

Overnight, Nick went from being a junk-food loving carnivore to being a plants-eating herbivore. He now makes his own cashew milks, grows broccoli sprouts, juices 40+ ounces of carrot/beet/celery/turmeric juice daily, takes (almost) every supplement I put in front of him, jumps on the rebounder and plays outside with the boys to get his lymphatic system moving. I still need to get him doing daily DDP yoga, and consuming more garlic, onions, lemons, aloe, and greens... But as of the night that I cried, telling him that he HAS to be the one to decide for himself if he really wants to LIVE or not (and that I do want him to, and the kids need their dad), he has chosen to make massive, radical, dramatic changes for healing.

Side Bonuses: At 2 weeks post life-change Nick was able to stop all medications for blood pressure and cholesterol that he had been on for the past 5 years. It was on this day of celebration in March that we took this photo (above). He also noticed after several more weeks that the back pain he has experienced for years is gone! Nick has continued to gain health and energy, and says that he feels better than he has in his entire life. Let me say that again: post-Stage-3-cancer-diagnosis he feels better than he has in his entire life! Because he is finally fueling his body with what it needs to THRIVE. He is eating to live, and using real food (plants) as medicine.

At 10 weeks -- two weeks earlier than follow up testing is supposed to be done, which I admittedly grumbled about -- Nick was brought in for scans and bloodwork. I suspect, given what oncology told us, that they thought Nick's cancer would be spreading and they wanted to 'catch it' and get chemo started.





Instead, the scans last week are 100% clear. There is NOT ONE SIGN OF CANCER in his body.

The bloodwork that came back this week is the same: NOT ONE SIGN OF CANCER CELLS in his body.





These results stumped oncology so significantly that they called last night to tell us this is "unheard of" and that they would like Nick to return to the hospital to repeat the tests "just in case they are wrong..." "This has never happened before" we were told. "It is impossible for someone with Stage 3 colon cancer in the lymph nodes to be 100% clear with CEA levels this low 10 weeks later without chemo..." Nick asked what the likelihood of the tests being inaccurate is. "Not likely." He asked if it would make a difference If he just waits to have the tests repeated in Aug (at the next 3 month mark) instead of now. "No, it wouldn't make a difference." So he is declining the repeat, and we will celebrate this miraculous, fast healing and move forward!

God is good. Prayer is powerful. Our bodies are designed to heal. And plants from the earth that we are meant to consume MATTER and make a real difference.

*******

Update: At the encouragement of friends, because we’ve faced a significant reduction in pay ($853 less/monthly) during this next 24 month treatment period, during which Nick cannot complete full duties of his position, and while Tricare will not cover any cancer treatment options beyond routine scans and bloodwork (about $930 more in expenses we need to cover monthly), we have created an Amazon list for some of the healing needs Nick has: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/B7Y1VC90MRIJ?ref_=wl_share

If you wish to help us make ends meet during this time, friends helped to set up a GFM here: GoFundMe.com/f/healing-hubby

♥ Sincere thank you for your kindness, love, and support. 

#AntiCancer #EatToLive #Healing #Nutrition #FoodMatters #ColonCancer #Stage3 #HealingHubby

So God Made a Mama


So God Made a Mama


And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a homemaker."

So, God made a mama.

God said I need somebody to get up early, lay out clothes, bake biscuits, fry bacon and eggs, set the table, and wake and feed four kids, and then get them on the bus on time.

So, God made a mama.

I need somebody with strong arms - strong enough to tow a sick four year old while mopping the floor, yet gentle enough to soothe the worst boo-boo with a simple kiss.

Somebody to make the beds, who'll sweep the floors, wash tons of clothes, make lunch (for a working husband), shop for groceries, pay the bills, and still have time for supper.

So, God made a mama.

God said I need somebody to gather eggs, pick tomatoes, mend broken bibs, and can make clothes and bake cake from scratch.

Someone who can give four baths, can help with homework, brush four heads of head, and love four different children equally.

So, God made a mama.

God had to have someone to give up her piece of pie, wipe tears from their eyes, give comfort for every bad dream, and take care of every lost stray the kid could bring home.

So, God made a mama.

God said I must have someone who never thinks of themselves, only takes what's left. And somebody to work from before daylight to dark, and then through the night, without ever once stopping to rest. Someone who could make gourmet meals from leftovers, who would pull up covers and gently kiss each cheek at night. It had to be someone who would check on their neighbor, rock sick kids forever, and still never complain a bit. She had to be someone who would read from the Bible, knew church was a staple, and God and family was first on her list.

So, God made a mama.


-Woody Woodruff

More from Woodruff: CowboyPoetry.com/woody.htm

 

To the Mom Fighting for Your Child's Health

By Rowyn Bakwin


A needed share for the moms in the club no one wants to join!...

I wanted to send a special Mother's Day out to the mothers here who are so very fiercely fighting for their children's health. We all have a certain amount of guilt and regret and wistfulness about our particular population of kids.

It is heartbreaking for me as a consultant to hear parents crying out for help for their children. Especially some of those older kids who have 'done it all' and were non-responders or relapsed and do not seem to be able to achieve some level of normalcy.

As a mother myself who has been desperate for her child, here are some of the things I have asked myself, and I have heard you all ask as well.

What intervention to do next?

What doctor can help me get what my child needs?

How are we going to afford this, and how can we NOT pay for it somehow, anyway?

I am a prisoner of my child's daily OCDs and rituals, as are my other kids, what is this doing to our family?

I am not crazy!

My child has MEDICAL issues and doctors will not listen to me. I am frantic to help my child, not out of my mind.

If I had only known then what I know now, my child would be healthy. 

Will my child be debilitated for the rest of his or her life?

Will he ever have friends?

Leave the house?

Have a family?

You mothers, you are heroines. 

You are (usually) not doctors and scientists and pharmacists, neurologists, immunologists. You do not have the education and background to slog through the research and try to comprehend it on 3 hours of sleep -- but you do it!

You may have to wake up to rituals to perform with your neurologically impaired child, to help quiet their frantic anxiety, rituals that make no sense and may last hours at a time, but you do them.

You may have to sacrifice some of what you give your 'well' kids to protect and nurture your sick one, and it is not fair, but you do it.

You may spend all your money, second mortgage your home, to fly your kid across the country for an intervention that may or may not work, but you do it.

Your child's life literally hangs in the balance of your choices.

And few people know that but you.

Please mothers, acknowledge yourselves.

Happy Mother's Day 💗

Take Mom's Picture

By Mary Katherine Backstrom
Find more from Backstrom at Mom Babble on Facebook.


Dear men, husbands, people who love us,

On behalf of mamas everywhere, I have an important request: Take our picture.

Even when we complain, even when our hair is a mess. Even when we are wearing a dingy, oversized sweatshirt. Take our picture.

I know this isn’t something on the forefront of your mind, and that’s okay. We don’t need every special moment documented... but, let’s be honest. We spend a lot of time doing just that for everyone else.

Please.

Take our picture.

Even when we fuss about how “chubby” we think we look in our swimsuit. If you see us splashing and laughing loudly with our babies in the heat of a gorgeous summer day—I don’t care if we are nine months pregnant (*ahem*) Take our picture.

Even if we moan that the angle isn’t good or our smile looks a little insane, I promise you this: We want to be seen. We want to be remembered. And it means the world to us when you take our picture.

You may not realize it now, but we’ve taken hundreds of sneaky photos of you and the people you love. When we see you snuggled on the couch with our babies or playing catch in the backyard, our hearts fill with joy and we can’t help but take your picture.

Or maybe you DO realize it, and it’s a little bit annoying. I can understand that, too. But here is a little reminder of these pictures are SO dang important: One day, we won’t be around for our babies. One day, you and I will be gone and what will remain of us will be the memories we’ve captured of this beautiful life we made. One day, our kids will gather around a table and scroll through images of these precious, fleeting days. They will cry and laugh and commiserate. They will say, “Remember that vacation? Remember that day?” And it will be so, so beautiful.

But if every single picture was taken by their mama, guess who won’t be in those memories?

Men, husbands, people who love us: Take our picture.

The mother of your children deserves to be seen, documented, and remembered. Not through posed family portraits or hundreds of selfies. But as who she was—who she is NOW—in those real, special life moments.

I know we don’t make it easy. Love us enough to do it, anyways. For our sake and for yours. For the sake of our babies Take our picture.

*******





When Zoom Classes and Daily Mom Life Meet


Mom life, circa 2020 quarantine days... ;)


How to Wash Your Hands Effectively - Most Americans Aren't Doing It Right!

By Terri Pous, BuzzFeed
Read more from Pous: https://www.buzzfeed.com/terripous


I'm not looking at anyone in particular, but *pivots on heels to glare at you directly in the eye* you're probably washing your hands all wrong. Yes, you! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: When it comes to washing your hands, it is not the thought that counts.

Mere running water and a dollop of soap isn't enough to keep your hands clean and free of being germ dispatchers; you have to actually do some (pretty easy) steps to make your hand-washing count.

In this witching season for cold, flu, and all other kinds of lovely communicable illnesses, it's REALLY IMPORTANT to have nice, sanitary hands, so for once and for all, here's how to do the damn thing the right way:

1. You don't need to make the water so hot it'll boil your hands. Daniel Eiras, MD, assistant professor of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health suggests using warm or hot water if you have a choice, but tbh any clean water will do.

2. It should take a lot longer than you're used to. Eiras says that, in total, you should be washing your hands for 15-20 seconds — and that doesn't include the time it takes to completely dry your hands (more on that later). The WHO states that the entire process, from getting your hands wet to turning off the faucet, should take 40-60 seconds. A whole minute! That's a long ass time to rub your paws against each other, but you can make it go a liiiiittle faster by singing the ABC's or "Happy Birthday" to yourself as you go. Or to everyone else, if you want to help them out and/or give them a hint.

If you're thinking 60 seconds to wash my hands? Ain't nobody got time for that, I hear you. I get it. But I'm guessing you probably also don't have time to get sick or deal with everyone that you get sick. So idk, something to think about the next time you wash your hands. See what I did there?

3. Which means you have plenty of time to show some love to all parts of your hands. Hands! They've got a lot of surface area! Making sure your palms and fingertips are clean is always a good idea, but so is getting "areas that play hard-to-get, like the spaces in between your fingers and the backs of your hands," Eiras says. Start by rubbing your hands palm to palm, and then interlace fingers and rub to access those little nooks and crannies you usually neglect. Don't forget to clean the underside of your nails, your wrists, and the backs of your fingers too, and when in doubt, do a lot of the "rotational rubbing" this WHO poster suggests (below).

4. Try to create some ~friction~ when washing. "You need friction and a lot of rubbing to get any unwanted material and germs off," Eiras says. Water alone can only do so much, and basically making one hand grind up on the other will really make the magic happen.

5. Use a towel to turn off the sink when you're done. Germs, microbes, bacteria, and all of that good stuff thrive on wet surfaces like sinks. They love them and want to set up a vacation home and retire early to them. So if you're washing up at a non-automatic sink, grab a paper towel or whatever's handy to turn off the water so that you don't undo all the good work you just did.

6. Finally, none of this matters if you don't fully dry your hands when you're done. Repeat after me: Pants are not a suitable substitute for a paper towel or hand dryer. Just like touching a wet faucet handle after washing your hands negates the whole process, leaving the bathroom with wet hands OR rubbing them on your not-so-clean pants re-grimes your hands reeeeeal quick. And after spending 60 whole seconds sanitizing, why would you want to do that?

7. And yes, you should wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, but you should also do it a lot of other times, too. A big part of proper hand-washing etiquette is knowing when to do it. If you don't wash your hands after being on the toilet, first of all, how dare you? Anyway, I'm guessing most of you at least *try* to fully wash your hands after going to the bathroom, which is great! But there are also many other times you should trot off to the bathroom to wash up, including, but not limited to:

• After you sneeze
• After you blow your nose
• After you cough
• After touching garbage
• After preparing food
• After being in contact with an animal
• After touching any "high touch" surface in a public area, aka a doorknob, light switch, railing, gas pump, ATM button, or subway pole

Basically, if you feel like you've come in contact with anything gross, or anything anyone else has touched, just give 'em a wash. If you can't summon a bathroom or running water yourself, store-bought hand sanitizer is fine for use in the car and on the go.




Quercetin, Cancer, and COVID-19



Quercetin is a potent anticancer flavonoid, and is now being considered as something that may lesson the severity of COVID-19. Quercetin is highest in these foods: organic apples, red onions, red grapes, raspberries, cranberries, dark cherries, green tea, cacao, citrus fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables. 

In supplement form via Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QDimYE 🍇 

Related Reading on Cancer

Quercetin: The Most Powerful Flavonoid in the Galaxy! https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/most-powerful-flavonoid-in-the-galaxy/ 

Effects of low dose quercetin: Cancer cell-specific inhibition of cell cycle progression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2736626/ 

Quercetin in Cancer Treatment, Alone or in Combination with Conventional Therapeutics? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26264923 

Quercetin: a natural compound for ovarian cancer treatment: https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-019-0530-4 

Quercetin induces human colon cancer cells apoptosis by inhibiting the nuclear factor-kappa B Pathway: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25829782 

Polyphenols in Colorectal Cancer: Current State of Knowledge including Clinical Trials and Molecular Mechanism of Action: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/4154185/ 

The effects of quercetin on SW480 human colon carcinoma cells: a proteomic study: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-4-11 

Resveratrol and Quercetin in Combination Have Anticancer Activity in Colon Cancer Cells and Repress Oncogenic microRNA-27a: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01635581.2012.725194 

Related Research with COVID-19 

Can quercetin help us to avoid the threat of coronavirus infection? https://www.naturalhealth365.com/quercetin-covid-19-studies-3337.html 

Biopharma products in development for COVID-19: https://www.bioworld.com/COVID19products 


Coronavirus Episode 9: Can Quercetin Help COVID-19? https://regenexx.com/blog/coronavirus-episode-9-can-quercetin-help-covid-19/ 



Resources compliments of Healing Hubby

Circumcision on Hold During COVID-19 Pandemic, Research Intact Care


In this uncertain time, non-essential surgeries are on hold, and this often includes infant circumcision

Use this time to research proper intact care, and the functions of the foreskin

You may find that keeping him intact is the very best for your sweet baby!

💜💙

• Intact Care: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/06/how-to-care-for-intact-penis-protect.html

• Functions of the Foreskin: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/09/functions-of-foreskin-purposes-of.html

• Not 'Just Skin': http://www.savingsons.org/2015/09/foreskin-and-its-16-functions-not-just.html

• Do NOT Retract baby bands for birth, the hospital, clinical visits, surgery, babysitters, daycare, nursery, etc.: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SavingOurSons?section_id=20753765

• Physician Do NOT Retract packet: https://www.etsy.com/listing/538608349/physician-do-not-retract-prevention

IntactBaby.org/research | SavingSons.org | Intact: Healthy, Happy, Whole | Saving Our Sons Community

Foreskin Facts!

Mother's Day Ideas During Quarantine, or Anytime!

By Amy Weatherly
Read more at AmyWeatherly.com


Dear Husbands, ex-husbands, fathers, children, family members, or whomever it may concern:

Still haven’t gotten anything for the woman who birthed those big-headed children we all adore so much for Mother’s Day?

That stinks.

Time and social distancing are not on your side here, my friend. They are not. But I am.

Mother’s Day is not canceled, but rushing out to the mall the evening before to grab a cheesy card and a blender most definitely is.

Gifts aren’t going to be as easy this year, and I’m telling you, that woman has never put more work into keeping her family afloat and happy than she has these past couple of months. She deserves a yacht, or a phone call from Chris Pratt or something, but she will probably settle for any or all of the things listed below. You are so welcome. I’ve got your back.

1. To sleep in, or at least take a morning nap.

2. Folded Laundry.

3. To Pee Alone.

4. To Eat without someone asking her to get up and pour them a glass of milk, or stealing her food, or sneezing on her food. Maybe she could even eat while her food is still warm, I dunno. Just a thought.

5. NO SNACKS - She doesn’t want to make any other living thing any friggin snacks.

6. To take an uninterrupted shower, or better yet, a long hot bath.

7. A back rub. JUST A BACK RUB. Control yourself. You can do it, or...you know, not do it.

8. Take the kids on a bike ride for thirty minutes, so she can dance around the kitchen to her music, something other than Kidz Bop, Baby Shark, It’s Raining Tacos, or Ole Town Road.

9. Another nap.

10. Help her get the kids to smile and look at the camera for ONE SINGLE PICTURE. There is nothing she wants more than a picture with everyone looking relatively normal. Don’t make her yell. She really hates that. Bribe them if you need to, just get them to stand still, say cheese, and not whine. She wants pictures with her kids and she doesn’t have nearly enough of them. Pro tip: Hold the camera up high at an angled she looks as skinny as possible.

11. Before you load the dishwasher, ask her how she likes the dishwasher loaded and then do it the way she likes.

12. Tell her she’s beautiful.

13. Loungewear. She wants new loungewear, or maybe a new bra because hers is probably really old and disgusting. If you’re thinking “what? She loves her gray bra? I’m telling you, that thing started out nude and it’s just that nasty. Gift cards are AWESOME.

14. Gratitude for all she does. Let her feel seen and appreciated. I know it sounds crazy, but women really love that stuff. I know, right? Who knew women liked compliments? Honestly, this is the most important one. If you do everything else and miss this, you’ve missed the point. Plus, it’s free, so zero excuses.

15. To hold the remote control and pick the show.

You’ve totally got this,
Amy Weatherly

P.S. Mother’s Day is Sunday. It is this Sunday. Not Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday, or three weeks away. It is THIS Sunday.

P.P.S. She loves her job more than life itself. Probably not the part where she’s been homeschooling for the past two months and learning new ways of doing math, which I don't want to get into, but the rest of it—LOVES.

Top 100 Baby Names This Year


Expecting? Congratulations! 

The fun is only just beginning as you search for the best name for your new little sweetheart.

Some parents adore using popular names of the time; others desire a unique name of their own creation. But no matter which direction you go with a name, your beautiful little baby will soon fill your life with wonder and delight - and your heart will never again be the same.

Below are the 100 most popular names for babies born in the United States this year, based on the Social Security Administration's latest statistics.

Does your little one's name make the Top 100? We'd love to hear from you, see a snapshot of your cutie, and know what name you choose. Drop a comment below, or join in the conversation any time in any of these groups:







Most popular baby names of the past year for babies born in the United States.
RankMale nameFemale name
1LiamEmma
2NoahOlivia
3WilliamAva
4JamesIsabella
5OliverSophia
6BenjaminCharlotte
7ElijahMia
8LucasAmelia
9MasonHarper
10LoganEvelyn
11AlexanderAbigail
12EthanEmily
13JacobElizabeth
14MichaelMila
15DanielElla
16HenryAvery
17JacksonSofia
18SebastianCamila
19AidenAria
20MatthewScarlett
21SamuelVictoria
22DavidMadison
23JosephLuna
24CarterGrace
25OwenChloe
26WyattPenelope
27JohnLayla
28JackRiley
29LukeZoey
30JaydenNora
31DylanLily
32GraysonEleanor
33LeviHannah
34IsaacLillian
35GabrielAddison
36JulianAubrey
37MateoEllie
38AnthonyStella
39JaxonNatalie
40LincolnZoe
41JoshuaLeah
42ChristopherHazel
43AndrewViolet
44TheodoreAurora
45CalebSavannah
46RyanAudrey
47AsherBrooklyn
48NathanBella
49ThomasClaire
50LeoSkylar
51IsaiahLucy
52CharlesPaisley
53JosiahEverly
54HudsonAnna
55ChristianCaroline
56HunterNova
57ConnorGenesis
58EliEmilia
59EzraKennedy
60AaronSamantha
61LandonMaya
62AdrianWillow
63JonathanKinsley
64NolanNaomi
65JeremiahAaliyah
66EastonElena
67EliasSarah
68ColtonAriana
69CameronAllison
70CarsonGabriella
71RobertAlice
72AngelMadelyn
73MaverickCora
74NicholasRuby
75DominicEva
76JaxsonSerenity
77GreysonAutumn
78AdamAdeline
79IanHailey
80AustinGianna
81SantiagoValentina
82JordanIsla
83CooperEliana
84BraydenQuinn
85RomanNevaeh
86EvanIvy
87EzekielSadie
88XavierPiper
89JoseLydia
90JaceAlexa
91JamesonJosephine
92LeonardoEmery
93BrysonJulia
94AxelDelilah
95EverettArianna
96ParkerVivian
97KaydenKaylee
98MilesSophie
99SawyerBrielle
100JasonMadeline

The above data was compiled throughout the 12 months leading up to January 2019 by the Social Security Administration (babies born in the United States).


New Baby Visitor Guide for Friends & Family
Also available as oversized postcards for sharing with clients at Etsy.

It's a BOY?

Be sure to swing by IntactBaby.org/research and SavingSons.org for useful materials before your little one's arrival. Forced retraction is an epidemic in the United States today, and your sweetheart will be counting on you to keep him safe.
Foreskin Facts to be aware of before a baby boy's arrival.
Oversized postcards at Etsy for sharing with clients.
All babies arrive into the world intact - find intact care materials at DrMomma.org, SavingSons.org, or IntactHealth.org
Vinyl stickers for use on diapers, wipes, and baby's chart at Etsy.