Monday, August 20, 2012

Herbs for Postpartum Sitz Baths



I am gathering together some herbs to send to a New Mama friend. Daily sitz baths can be incredibly helpful when recovering from childbirth. I was paranoid about developing some awful infection and so I took mine religiously. No issues. I definitely swear by them.

Here are some herbs that can be included in a "Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath"

  • Rosemary
  • Yarrow
  • Comfrey
  • Plantain Leaves
  • Calendula Flowers
  • Lavender
  • Uva Ursi
  • Violet Leaves and Flowers
  • Shepherd's Purse
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lady's Mantle
  • Burdock

Some people also add Sea Salt to the mix which sounds perfect for those aching muscles.

I've made different batches, depending on what I had available. But, I always make sure to include Comfrey and Calendula and either Rosemary or Yarrow.

When it comes time to make the tea, fill a giant soup pot with water. Let the water come to a boil (which will take a LONG time) and then turn off the heat. Add herbs and cover with a lid. Let it sit for at least an hour (hopefully longer). Over-night is the best.

Strain (if you put herbs directly into the pot) or remove the sachet of herbs and refrigerate.

An easy way to make a DIY sachet is to use a worn but clean kitchen towel. Add several handfuls of herb onto the middle of the opened towel. Close towel tightly with a string or thin ribbon. When you drop it in the water, you won't have to deal with the hassle of straining out all the floating herbs.

To use...fill up 1/2 your sitz pan with the tea and the other 1/2 with warm water. Or put the tea directly into your spray bottle for use after every trip to the bathroom. I made several batches and used them for several weeks.

This is an easy and very helpful gift to any New Mamas in your life. Fill up a few Mason Jars with the herbs, add some ribbon and a note and let the healing begin!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

A Ridiculously Bad Morning and More Teething Tips

Stones on a Rocky Ocean Beach
Stones on a Rocky Ocean Beach (Photo credit: epSos.de)
Some days are so ridiculously bad, you just have to laugh. Yesterday, was one of those days.

It involved a toddler vomiting in her car-seat, a sleep-deprived Mama forgetting to pack clean diapers, mixing up appointment times, spending 45 minutes distracting a curious toddler hell-bent on exploring every button and dentistry instrument within her reach and having to pin down the curious child TWICE while her teeth were cleaned and examined. Oh, and trying not to combust with the guilt of knowing your child was walking around for an hour with a poop-filled diaper.

Luckily, the day got better. It ended with yoga and solitary walk at Dusk by the river. My daughter got to spend time with her Dada and Dadi. So, I think we are both recovered.

The good news from our ill-fated trip to the Dentist is that the Kiddo's teeth are looking good.

When asked, the Dentist suggested giving a teething toddler a toothbrush to massage her gums. She also mentioned dipping a q-tip in a warm saline mixture and putting it on the gums to help with inflammation. Saltwater = pain relief.

Awesome. More tools to help with teething!



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Month of Service...A Street Herbalist



I recently came across this fantastic Interview with Doc Garcia on Kiva Rose's Herbal Blog. Doc Garcia is a third generation Curandero who runs California School of Traditional Hispanic Herbalism. He's about as down-to-earth as you can get. I'd love to hear him speak!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Turtle. Word of the Week.

Eastern Box Turtle in Florida
Eastern Box Turtle in Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Word of the Week. Turtle. We were at the Meadowlark Gardens Visitors' Center observing their resident turtle and snake, when Little Miss popped out with the world "turtle." Time to get some turtle books.

Mannerism. When she or someone around her farts, she gasps and covers her mouth. She giggles. Sometimes she covers her nose and then says "stinky." I admit, it's kinda cute.

Skill. Pulling one of the large kitchen chairs to counter to watch Mama or Daddy cook. Sometimes she pulls it to the front door to practice attempting to open the door with the keys. She used to ask "up" and I would hold her while she tried to put the key in the key-hole. Now that she's over 26 lbs, that's not happening anymore.

Our kitchen is too tiny to use a Learning Tower. Although, we should look into making of these.

Material. Buckle on her toy stroller. She tries so very hard to do the buckle (or any buckle for that matter) and gets very frustrated. Sometimes she can do it but then can't undo it. Many tears, so all buckles have been put away. I just bought a Velcro Dressing Frame and a Large Button Frame, thinking that she may be ready for them. Can't wait until they arrive and I can present them to her!

Monday, August 6, 2012

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Books 26-30




Yup, it's been a while since I posted Our List of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. Lots of catching up to do. So, let's start.

Here are the library books I found for a very baby-obsessed toddler.


26.  I think we may have borrowed this from the library when she was much younger. But, since she has been on her "BABY Kick" I picked it up again. I'm not crazy about the quality of the photos (they seem like of grainy and unprofessional looking).

But...the concept is decent...teaching children how to read others' facial expressions. My daughter became obsessed with and upset over the photo of a child making a "yucky" face and so I had to reassure her that the little girl wasn't hurt or upset. She just ate something she didn't like.



27. Gorgeous book. Unfortunately, my kiddo didn't seem that interested in it. I'll re-introduce later.



28.  Sweet little book. This book was a definite hit. My child LOVES looking through the pages, although she seemed disturbed by the baby with a lipstick print on his cheek.

After days of listening to "uh-oh" over and over again, I couldn't take it any longer. So, I dug through my old make-up bag and found some bright red lipstick. We sat in front of her mirror and I kissed my Worry-Wart, so she could see the baby wasn't hurt by the lipstick! Problem solved.



29. Cute book. A new favorite. Note to self....Always look through the pages first because your child DOES NOT LIKE to see ANY pen scribbles on ANY of the pages. Especially, if it's a baby's face.



30. Definitely going to have to buy this ENTIRE series. It's a fantastic book that gets home the message. For the last three weeks, it has been read every day at least ten times. Papa Bear and I are also frequently referencing this book. A Must Have for every toddler!




My daughter has FINALLY gotten into books - both looking at them by herself and having someone read them to her.  So, we have tons of books to add to this list!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Annual Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale This Weekend

English: Cactus type of succulent plant
English: Cactus type of succulent plant (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am on a Garden Kick. Yesterday, we visited the lovely Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Today, the plan is to check out Brookside Gardens.

Brookside is known for it's spectacular Live Butterfly Exhibit, so that's on the agenda.

I am also excited about today being the first day of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society's Annual Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale.

Remember the Driftwood Succulent Planters? Hopefully, I'll be able to pick up some interesting Succulents and make a few planters.

If you are in the MD/DC/NOVA area and are interested in aquiring some Cactis and Succulents...Brookside is the place to be this weekend.

The hours are...

Friday, August 3, 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday, August 4, 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, August 5, 9:00am-4:00pm

Whatever you end up getting into this weekend, have a fantastic time!

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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Who is Afraid of a Few Needles?

English: Acupuncture needles. Deutsch: Akupunk...
English: Acupuncture needles. Deutsch: Akupunkturnadeln. Français : Aiguilles d'acupuncture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Not me. I received my first Acupuncture treatment five years ago. A few months ago, I went to my first Community Acupuncture Clinic. I'm in love.

So, far I've been herehere and here. Today, I checked out this spot.

An hour of Acupuncture for the cost of a co-pay? Pretty freakin' amazing. Check out POCA for a clinic near you.

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