Baby – Less Meat More Veg

‘It was a spiral of absolute terror’: Myleene Klass opens up about her four miscarriages and finding joy with her miracle baby

CX3 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:11:05 +0000

It was the image of her showering in a white bikini in the Australian jungle that propelled Myleene Klass into the spotlight and helped launch her diverse career. But she’s come a long way since those days, and family, being a role model and sharing her story of miscarriage to help others are what drive her now.

Fifteen years after that memorable moment on I’m A Celebrity…, Klass sees her body in a completely different light. Not least because, since then, she’s had three children, including her miracle baby boy, Apollo, born after four devastating miscarriages that changed her perspective on life.

‘I look at my body differently now because it’s come through so much,’ she says. ‘I was given every hormone known to man to keep Apollo in there, and I still feel the effects of that. I mean, I put on four and a half stone with him and, as a southeast Asian woman, that was a lot to carry. I’m not some glamazon, six foot, Naomi Campbell type – I’m Myleene Klass from Norfolk. But I’m proud of my body and everything it’s achieved. And, ultimately, I want to make sure I show it love, kindness and positivity, especially because I have daughters.’

These days, bikinis are so far from her mind that Klass forgot to pack one for the family holiday this summer. ‘Can you believe the bikini queen forgot her bikini?’ she laughs. ‘We had to go shopping for a new one when we got there. I was too busy packing for everybody else!’

The ‘everybody else’ she refers to is the beautifully chaotic blended family of seven (they call themselves the Klotsons) she has with her fiance, Simon ‘Sim’ Motson, a PR executive. As well as their son, Apollo, two, Klass has two daughters – Ava, 14, and Hero, 10, from her marriage to Graham Quinn, a former bodyguard for Hear’Say [Klass’s Popstars band], while Sim has two children from a previous relationship. It all makes for a busy – and noisy – household, she says.

‘Apart from the logistical difficulties, everyone has different needs, so you’re trying to emotionally and mentally deliver on all that. I find myself very thinly spread – there’s never enough of me to go around.’

Does she ever get time to herself? ‘Not really!’ she laughs, joking that she might spin out our interview for another hour to escape the mayhem for longer. ‘Getting the work-life balance right is impossible. The only way I’ve been able to half get away with it is by creating a work environment that is family-friendly. When I make videos, I do that with the kids. When I design clothes, it’s with my kids. My family life is my work life and everything I do is centred around what happens at home,’ she explains.

‘However, I know how much I wanted this family and I thrive on the madness. I love that when we go out, we’re a tribe. We’re our own party, which is just as well because no one invites us anywhere – there are too many of us!’

During lockdown, she invested in a bigger kitchen table, one the whole family could sit around. For Klass, it was a poignant moment because it showed how far she’d come rebuilding her life after the breakdown of her marriage in 2012, when her daughters were aged four and one. The split was crushing, she acknowledges, but meeting Motson on a blind date five years ago marked the beginning of a new chapter.

‘The table was an emotional thing for me because it was symbolic. I’d bought the previous table for me and the girls, the three of us in this home I had built for us. And now, because we’d met Sim and he’d brought his kids to the table too, we needed something bigger. The kitchen is the heart of our house and, in my head, I want to be an Italian mama. I love the idea of everyone coming together around the table – a real open house. That was my vision and I’ve actually got it! I feel so grateful.’

Ava and Hero call Motson dad and Klass has said that had she not met him, the girls would have been ‘short-changed’.

She says: ‘It’s been important for the girls to see a healthy relationship because, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. This is not about DNA. Sim’s here every day and steps up and I’m glad they get to see that. He doesn’t see them as just my children – he says “I have five children”. And the girls need to hear that.’

Klass and Motson’s son is the ‘glue’ binding the family together, and they all dote on Apollo. In a heartfelt Instagram post last year, she opened up about the four losses she had suffered before he was born. It led to her making a documentary – Myleene: Miscarriage And Me. ‘It wasn’t easy to film. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever worked on,’ she says. ‘I remember the despair, grief and anger. And the panic. But it wasn’t until I looked back at my diaries that I realised how broken I was. By the fourth time, it was just a spiral of absolute terror.’

The hour-long show will see Klass meeting women, including her friends and family, who share their experiences of baby loss. She is also backing a campaign by Tommy’s, the pregnancy charity, to change the care system to enable more women to get the support they need following a miscarriage. At the moment, the NHS won’t investigate causes until it is classed as recurrent miscarriage, which means a woman must suffer three in row. ‘We don’t expect someone to have three heart attacks before taking it seriously,’ she says. ‘And if the miscarriage happens before 24 weeks, it doesn’t necessarily go on to your medical records so every time [you deal with a new healthcare professional], they don’t know your history and you have to explain it all again.

‘There isn’t even statutory compassionate leave for miscarriage. All these women carrying around this pain. I interviewed my aunty and she hadn’t spoken about her miscarriage for 37 years… So much pain.’ Klass’s third miscarriage occurred while she was live on air at Smooth Radio. During a toilet break, she realised what was happening, yet somehow found the strength to finish the remaining hour of the show.

‘I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want to go home because I was going to have to deliver the news and break the magic. But life doesn’t stop and I took my daughter to dance class as soon as I got back. There was no time to catch my breath because I have children who rely on me and who I need to protect.

‘So, to the people who ask how I carried on, I’d answer – what else could I have possibly done? Carrying on was all I knew. And if I’d lain in bed, I don’t know whether I’d have got up again.’

Naturally, her pregnancy with Apollo was fraught with worry. At one point, she was having two scans a week, each time going through agony before they found the heartbeat. ‘I had so many scans my midwife said he was the most photographed baby in history. I didn’t want to drink water because I was scared of needing the loo and seeing blood. I know how ludicrous that sounds, but anyone who’s been through miscarriage will know that stomach-tightening feeling when you pull down your knickers, thinking “please, no blood”.’

Her decision to speak out about a subject that affects one in four pregnancies has been noted by those in power. During a moving speech in the House of Commons this year, Labour MP Olivia Blake spoke about her miscarriage and praised Klass for helping break the taboos that still exist around the subject. Klass hopes her documentary will continue to push the conversation and empower more women to share their stories and feel less alone.

‘Normalising the conversation to the point where it’s happening in the House of Commons with women standing up and recognising each other is so powerful. If we can talk about something that happens to so many, then maybe it won’t feel so terrifying and women will stop blaming themselves. I feel that if I can be part of a change, then I’m turning this pain into power.’

And she’s not only speaking out about miscarriage. Klass was recently accused on social media of having her lips done, and responded publicly that as a biracial woman [her mother is Filipino and her father Austrian], these were the lips she was given. It was an example, she says, of how everything is viewed through the prism of the white Western ‘norm’. ‘I’m not looking for a fight, but I can’t leave a whole group of girls to think I’ve had my lips done to uphold a certain ideal of beauty when we should be celebrating what mixed-race girls like me have.

‘I called it out for my girls. They are like me but transported from Norfolk into north London, and they don’t look like their friendship group. I think the next generation get it. They wear the pride flag, they take the knee, they are brave. I think we’re living in an exciting time when change feels possible.’

Klass says she’s in awe of how her daughters’ generation has handled the pandemic and being locked down for so long. ‘We underestimated them by not giving them a voice in all this. They did everything they were supposed to, better than many of the adults. All credit to our young folk – they’ve been phenomenal. I’m proud of all the children who made such a concerted effort, from clapping on their doorsteps to wearing masks to adapting to online schooling – which was hell on earth by the way.’

She does wonder, however, about the effect on Apollo and the other lockdown babies. ‘Just as he was beginning to open his eyes and recognise shapes, we shut down the world,’ she says.

On the other hand, there were positives to come out of the experience. ‘I had time to just be Mum,’ she says. ‘I stopped expressing because I was home to feed my baby and that was a special thing. I got to see his first steps, hear his first word… I didn’t miss anything and, because he is my last baby, that feels precious. I don’t want to rush a single milestone.’

Photographs: Shutterstock

This article was originally published by psychologies.co.uk Read the original article here.

Shea Butter Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair, Baby Care & More

CX3 — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 13:17:01 +0000

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Should I have a baby?

CX3 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:31:53 +0000

While googling ‘should I have a baby?’, I hope that some internet wizardry will draw answers from the inner workings of my mind – because, as it stands, I don’t have a clue. Aged 34 and married for four years, there have been a lot of people, including myself, asking: ‘When do you think you’ll be ready for a baby?’ But how do I answer the ‘when’ when I’m stuck on the ‘if’?

It seems that everyone around me is having babies, and I’m running out of time. Childbearing years don’t hang around for bucket-list travels, career-defining achievements or for me to finally feel financially secure. I want to make a conscious decision about this, before the decision is taken out of my hands. But I’m an overachiever in the thinking department and so, here I am, taking an online quiz and hoping that it will make this life-changing decision for me.

In fact, the only thing that’s made clear is how conflicted I am. When asked: ‘When you see parents with their children, do you feel excited about the prospect of parenthood for yourself, or relieved that you don’t have that responsibility?’ I want to tick both boxes.

I consider my pros and cons lists. Pros: I like children. We only live once, and motherhood, from pregnancy to loving a newborn and helping a child learn and grow, sounds like one of the greatest, most fulfilling experiences in life. But it’s also terrifying. What scares me most is that parents are the first to tell me how hard it is! Cons: interrupted sleep, little time for myself. It looks tough and scary on finances, career and independence. It will undoubtedly change my life, body and relationship forever. I need time to consider all that, but – tick-tock…

Love and other stories

I talk to a few friends, trying to understand their choices. One couple is in the same boat and feel ambivalent but, overall, most of them have it figured out. Friends without babies have made the choice to embrace a baby-free life – fancy holidays, a nice home and fewer responsibilities and money worries. ‘I enjoy babies,’ laughs my buddy, Lucy, ‘and then I enjoy passing them back to their mums when they start crying.’

Friends with babies tell me how tough it is – then, as if they didn’t just scare me half to death, try and talk me into it! ‘The love I feel for my son is different to any other,’ smiles my best friend contentedly, bouncing her child as he giggles. ‘It’s unconditional.’ My sister-in-law tells me that bringing up my niece is a constant party, ‘It’s so much fun!’ she beams.

I struggle to fathom how they found it so easy to make this huge life decision, so I contact coach and psychotherapist Heather Garbutt.

Will we be safe?

Initially, Garbutt doesn’t talk about babies, but asks me about my life. I’m impatient to get to the main topic, but she explains: ‘It’s important to identify and let go of baggage, such as past traumas and family history, in order to make your own plans.’

As we talk, one problem rears its head again and again. Like many of us, especially during the pandemic, money and job security cause me anxiety. We talk it through slowly. Money and security are so intertwined, I transgress from cash flow to bigger security issues, such as politics and global warming. ‘I don’t know if it’s safe to bring a baby into the world,’ I finally say.

Many aspects of life right now prompt us to question whether the world is safe,’ reassures Garbutt. She asks me whether I’m already thinking like a mother about the security of my unborn baby, and how that feels? It’s a strange moment when I notice that I’m not only considering my personal challenges as a mother, but that I care about the obstacles that my child might face. ‘There will always be things to worry about in the world, but every birth we choose to have is an act of hope,’ says Garbutt. So, do I want to make my life decisions based on fear, or hope?

I know the answer to that, but it’s easier said than done. How do you choose hope when fear stands in your way? ‘If we don’t seek out the root causes of our fears and address them, we are at the mercy of them, as if they are a concrete reality,’ says Garbutt.

‘Consequently, we won’t have the power to shift our view and will live life from a flight-or-fight perspective. We will stay small and hidden to be safe, which is life-limiting.’

To quash my fear, I have to unmask it and understand what’s really behind my money and security fears. We dig deeper and look at my childhood. I open up about being bullied at school, which left scars around feeling rejected and isolated. Garbutt asks me to try a guided meditation with her, in which she asks me to tap into the feeling of fear, and locate it in my body.

Accessing the physical feeling of fear in my gut takes me back to school, excluded and hiding from my bullies in a toilet cubicle. I cry. It’s a powerful practice that helps me link my physical feelings of fear to a word my mind can comprehend – ‘alone’.

The faces of fear

We talk about how this experience led me to believe that I could only depend on myself. Despite loving my husband and feeling stable in our marriage, it is important for me to know I can provide security for myself, and I’ve projected this need onto my finances and work.

Fear is a funny thing. It shape-shifts and presents itself in hard-to-identify forms: money, time and other people. We tell ourselves ‘I’m too old’, ‘I don’t have enough money’, ‘I’m not qualified enough’ – creating external obstacles to doing the things we want. ‘We always look outwards for things that get in the way,’ says Garbutt. ‘We want it to be an outer obstacle that seems intractable, rather than look inwards. We don’t like to acknowledge the inner dynamics that influence our decisions.’

This is a revelation. For the first time, I step out of my cons list and look at the root of my fears, instead of the fear itself. My concerns around financial security originate from a fear of being alone and unsupported. It’s not money, another life experience, nor a step up the career ladder that I need to feel secure – it’s being able to fully trust my support system.

When I need somebody

There is vulnerability in becoming a mother, or taking any big leap – there will inevitably be a few months when a new mother needs to step away from work and depend on others for physical, practical and emotional help. ‘Becoming a mother will challenge independence at certain points,’ says Garbutt. ‘Having a baby requires support, as well as letting go of personal freedom. But you can prepare yourself so that if or when you do decide to go for it, things are in place before the baby is born. Make sure you’ve got the self-care and support you need, because you’re only as strong as the support and self-care you have.’

I pluck up the courage to talk to my husband and share my realisation that my childhood experiences bred a fear of leaning on others. ‘I know,’ he says readily, ‘you find it hard to ask for help.’ We had never had the serious talk about babies before. I felt I needed to figure out how I felt about it on my own first. But it’s not a one-sided decision. I tell him how my fears have clouded my ability to see whether I want a baby or not. ‘You don’t have to worry,’ he says. ‘Trust me.’ And there it is: trust. The pathway to hope and the enemy of fear.

I am not an island

This is a decision my husband and I must make together, and to think that I had to make it alone is another example of how I felt I could only rely on myself. Relinquishing that concept is the start of me breaking free from the knotted roots of my fear, and starting to truly trust another person.

Looking inwards has also helped me understand what kind of mother I want to be. I don’t want to be afraid. I want to be brave and mindful. I want to have cleared out my emotional cupboards, so I don’t pass my fears onto my child. I choose hope!

At last, I realise: I do want a baby. The ‘when’ is for us yet to decide, but the ‘if’ has been answered.

How to make that big decision

From having a child to moving to another country, psychotherapist and counsellor Heather Garbutt shares questions to ask yourself.

Am I making this decision from the adult part of me?
Am I making or not making this choice to please somebody else?
What will be the consequences if I choose or don’t choose this – for me and for other people?
What am I hoping for in choosing or not choosing this?
What am I afraid of in choosing or not choosing this?
When have I felt this fear before, and what was going on?
How old was I when I felt afraid like this?
When I was afraid before, what did part of me decide was true about me, others and the world?
Is the inner, fearful part of me driving my life now?
Do I need help to make this decision for my life?

Photograph: Getty Images

This article was originally published by psychologies.co.uk Read the original article here.

Is Baby Oil Safe For Skin? Pros, Cons & Best Clean Products

CX3 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:02:54 +0000

Now, if you type mineral oil into the search bar, you’ll likely come across some hot debate. Some deem it unsafe for skin; others say it’s totally fine. That’s because while mineral oil is petrochemical derived, you can find purified, cosmetic-grade options that are theoretically safe to apply on the skin (as opposed to technical-grade options, which are typically used to lubricate car engines). In fact, products loaded with mineral oil, like petroleum jelly, are commonly used for slugging techniques—the thick, balmy barrier can lock in moisture.

However, even safer, cosmetic-grade mineral oils are not without their issues: First, mineral oil has a very large molecular size, so while it’s highly occlusive, it’s unable to actually penetrate the skin. This can create a host of problems in the long run—and why many experts have started to criticize its use.

“It more suffocates the skin than anything else,” says Shamban. “The molecular structure is simply too large so it can both clog pores, cause a disruption or even damage to the skin barrier, and ultimately increase transepidermal water loss.” (Remember: you still need some degree of transepidermal water loss for proper skin barrier function, as it signals to your skin cells that it’s time to jumpstart repair; if there’s no signaling, your skin cells may think everything is A-OK and won’t repair). And while the actual oil might not clog your pores, such an occlusive environment can trap dead skin and oil, causing acne to thrive.

Then there’s the environmental component, which is enough of a reason to avoid its use: “Mineral oil is petrochemical derived, meaning it’s environmentally irresponsible to use mineral oil when there are vegetable and fruit oils, like coconut oil, that are more sustainable,” says clean cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline. It also does not biodegrade well, and it can accumulate in waterways. Remember: To us, clean beauty means it’s safe for both you and the world around you.

This article was originally published by mindbodygreen.com. Read the original article here.

Baby Red Potato Salad (Light on the Mayo) – Skinnytaste

CX3 — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 20:02:09 +0000

This Baby Red Potato Salad is light on the mayonnaise, it will be your new go-to for summer BBQs.

Baby Red Potato Salad

I love a good homemade potato salad, and this one is absolutely delicious, especially if you’re not a fan of traditional potato salad loaded with mayonnaise. It uses just one tablespoon of mayo but still has plenty of sauce from the Dijon mustard, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. And since it uses red potatoes, no need to peel the potatoes so it’s quicker too! For more lighter potato salad recipes, try this Rainbow Potato Salad and Summer Potato Salad with Apples.

This healthy red potato salad is my favorite way to enjoy potato salad. Red potatoes provide vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber. They are even higher in fiber when eaten with the skins on.

Should I cut potatoes before boiling for potato salad?

Yes, I like to cut my potatoes into pieces that are the same size so that they cook quicker and more evenly.

How to make baby red potato salad

Potato salad is super simple to make. While your potatoes are boiling, prep and mix together all of the other ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

Veggies: Baby red potatoes, green bell peppers, red onion, scallions
Sauce: Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper

What to Serve with Potato Salad

This red potato salad is perfect for bringing to a picnic or BBQ. You can make it the night before, so it’s ready to go. It would be great served with burgers, grilled chicken, or sandwiches.

Variations:

If you can’t find baby red potatoes, use regular red or gold potatoes.
Sub the green bell pepper with another color pepper or add celery.
Swap the red onion for shallots.
Add fresh dill to this potato salad.

More Summer Side Recipes You’ll Love:

Baby Red Potato Salad

107.2 Cals
2.2 Protein
17.8 Carbs
3.2 Fats

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

This Baby Red Potato Salad is the perfect potluck side, or lunch side for summer BBQs or a picnic. It’s light and easy to make with lots of fresh flavor.

4 cups baby red potatoes, cut in small pieces
1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
3 scallions, diced
1 1/2 tsps Dijon mustard
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise
salt and fresh pepper

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until soft, approx 10 minutes. Drain.
While the potatoes are boiling, combine red onion, green pepper, mustard, olive oil, vinegar and mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper.
Once the potatoes are done, toss them into the bowl with dressing and add scallions and additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serve room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serving: 3/4 cups, Calories: 107.2kcal, Carbohydrates: 17.8g, Protein: 2.2g, Fat: 3.2g, Fiber: 2.1g

Blue Smart Points: 3

Green Smart Points: 3

Purple Smart Points: 1

Points +: 3

Keywords: Gluten Free, Vegetarian Meals

This article was originally published by skinnytaste.com. Read the original article here.

Newborn Baby Formula Sensitivity – Art of Healthy Living

CX3 — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:52:29 +0000

Can you remember the moment you found out that you were pregnant for the very first time? You had to have every single detail planned before your baby was even the size of a walnut! What an exciting and scary time for you it was. You planned to breastfeed and even had a backup plan in case you needed to supplement. As many new moms, you probably didn’t know much about choosing baby formula so early on in pregnancy, so you just decided you will use the one that came in a sample size in the US mail.

Fast forward to the night before your delivery day. You go to bed like any normal night, not even considering your next day’s plans might be changed dramatically. You wake up at 7am and find yourself covered in fluids and you realize something, YOUR WATERS BROKE!

You frantically get up, rush around grabbing everything you wished you had packed. Hurrying as fast as you can to the hospital before the baby makes their arrival. You even remember to pack the sample pack of formula, just in case. You get to the hospital and are rushed into the birthing room because baby is coming.

You have your baby and discover you just can’t handle the mental pressure of breastfeeding or a plethora of other reasons prevent you from breastfeeding. So, you start your new baby on their first bottle of formula from the sample. Within just a few hours you discover the baby is not handling the formula well at all. What do you do? Where do you turn in your time of despair? European formulas of course! Let’s discover why.

Why Choose European Formulas?

European formulas are the best solution for baby to have the cleanest, purest formula available. In Europe, their standards and guidelines for baby formula and organics are much stricter than the US.

1. No Harmful Ingredients In Their Formulas

They don’t contain synthetic nutrients (taurine, lycopene, lutein, L-methionine and L-carnitine) still commonly found in US formulas. These toxic ingredients are actually BANNED in Europe altogether! Many of those substances are processed with toxic solvents or are themselves a toxic ingredient.

2. Contains Ingredients To Help Aid Digestion And Make For A Happier Baby Altogether

They also contain prebiotics and probiotics which support a healthy digestion. We all know that is one of the most important things to consider with a new baby. If their digestive system isn’t functioning properly, they are miserable and in turn make parents miserable with sleeping issues, eating issues, and are just all around fussy.

Completely soy free options – NO added soy at all to their formula, not even in the form of “soy oil” like US formulas can have hidden in them.

For the majority of European formulas, the main source of protein is lactose, which is made up of whey and casein. This is the most similar composition to breast milk, and means that baby will process the formula much better.

3. Formulas Available For The Sensitive Or Allergic Baby

European formulas also have options for the extra sensitive baby, that are clean and not ridden with tons of additives. Here are a few options for the baby that needs a gentler formula for their sensitivities:

Holle BIO – recommended for babies who are gassy, spit up frequently, and have an extra sensitive stomach. The reasoning is their basic recipe of infant formula, with only the cleanest, Demeter organic certified ingredients.
HiPP Dutch– a fantastic starter formula for babies with only slight sensitivity problems. It contains prebiotics/probiotics for aiding in digestion. It also does NOT contain soy or any starches like maltodextrin in any of the versions.
HiPP HA – has hydrolyzed proteins for allergic reactions as well as prebiotics/probiotics to aide digestion. These broken-down proteins are easier for baby’s sensitive stomachs to process, and help lactose sensitive babies at the root of the problem.
HiPP Comfort – for the most sensitive of babies. It has prebiotics, probiotics, and contains reduced lactose, of which is already hydrolyzed just like in the HiPP HA versions.
HiPP Anti-Reflux – is composed of organic locust bean gum for acid reflux. This formula is the go-to choice for acid reflux, gas, fussiness, colic, spit up, sensitive stomachs, and even constipation.
Holle A2 formula – for babies that may show signs of lactose intolerance but aren’t actually lactose intolerant. For many babies and adults, the A1 protein in many cow’s milk causes disruptive issues with digestion that appear similar to lactose intolerance. Try switching to this formula before making the switch to a different mammal completely.
Holle Goat milk formula – the only fully organic infant formula using goat’s milk. This formula is a clean and clear alternative for babies that just can’t process cow’s milk.
Kendamil Goat milk formula – another clean infant formula, offering your baby an alternative to cow’s milk. It may not be Demeter organic certified, but the goats are raised on very clean farms and grass-fed. A big difference is that this infant formula has natural prebiotics and has substituted the palm oil with coconut oil.

Conclusion

Just to recap, no matter what sensitivities your baby has or might develop, or what brand/type you prefer, you can count on My Organic Company to have a full range of sensitive and great European formulas for you to choose the right one for your precious baby! Also, their team of experts can help you with understanding everything you need to know about European formula and help you make the switch successfully. And don’t forget to journal all about this wonderful and crazy time of your life for not only memories, but your mental health.

This article was originally published by artofhealthyliving.com. Read the original article here.

This Baby Houseplant Would Be A Darn Cute Addition To Any Collection

CX3 — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 12:01:27 +0000

The Peperomia Obtusifolia needs bright, indirect light. The indirect piece is important! If this plant is exposed to too much direct light, its leaves can start to develop a sunburn or “cook,” meaning the water in them overheats and causes the plant to get mushy.

To avoid giving your plant too much light, Horst says to imagine that it has eyes: It shouldn’t be able to see the sun.

If your Peperomia Obtusifolia is getting too little light, on the other hand, you’ll likely notice that its new growth produces very small leaves. It also might start to get “leggy,” meaning its leaves don’t fill out its stem.

“Not enough light can cause root problems,” Horst says. “The amount of light and amount of water are linked so if you are watering the way you should be but your plant is in low light, the soil is staying wet too long. It’s all about the balance.”

This article was originally published by mindbodygreen.com. Read the original article here.

Things You Haven’t Considered About Your Baby On The Way

CX3 — Sat, 08 May 2021 05:15:48 +0000

There’s nothing more stressful than when you have a baby on the way, and it’s hard to know if you’ve covered all of the bases. There’s so much to think about, so much to prepare for, expecting you to be fully ready is unrealistic. While there’s only so much you can be ready for, it’s important to make sure you’re not caught out in a time of need. Caring for your baby’s health is one of your top priorities, and you’ll want to know how to do that safely, without causing them any harm. Newborns are fragile, and you can’t expect to be able to treat them like you would a growing child or an adult.

Keeping The Baby Clean

When it comes to bathing your baby, you have to be considerate of their vulnerability to all of the elements and chemicals that you’re used to. Everything is a new experience for them, and their skin hasn’t adjusted to the exposure of all these different things. Bathing a newborn is simple if you know how, but you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right supplies beforehand. Which is one thing you should sort out before you bring them home, as your time will be very limited once they arrive!

Childproofing Your Home

While you may have considered the obvious childproofing methods, there’s a lot in your home that can be dangerous to a baby. You’re going to be spending a lot of your time watching your baby, if not all of it until they are a bit older, but even then are they a danger to themselves. You may have considered putting up a gate over the stairs and certain rooms, but anything in your home can be dangerous when you’re a baby.

You’ll want to make sure nothing can fall down when pulled, all sharp edges at a low height, and cupboards are inaccessible. They’re not superhuman, but you’d be surprised how much you can miss when you turn away for just a moment. It’s in their nature to be curious about the world around them, but you need to make sure that they cannot harm themselves while they learn. There are soft edge caps you can buy to put on sharp-edged furniture, and there are child locks you can put on cupboards to make them only accessible by you.

Expectations Of Your Time

You should consider that there are some things you should make sure you’ve done before the baby arrives, as when they are there, you’re going to have a lot less time to do what you want. Maybe you’re thinking you’ve got time to get things done while they’re sleeping, but you never know how long that lasts! Not only that but when it comes to going out with the baby, even if it’s for a short trip – you’ll want to have everything you need while you’re gone just in case! That changes through the years, but you’re going to need to expect to give up that much of your time when you first bring them home.

Figuring Out What They Need Can Be A Nightmare

This one might be obvious, but understanding your baby’s needs is completely on you. They cannot communicate what they need, nor do they understand what they need. Even if you know they need something, they’re not always going to co-operate with you. It can even be difficult to get them to eat when they’re hungry. A baby crying can mean anything, and sometimes it’s going to be hard work to get them to stop. Only you can know what your baby needs, so you need to become a mindreader for them.

It’s Going To Take A Toll On Your Emotions

Parenting is always going to be stressful, and there are going to be times where you’ll feel like you’re not capable of it. It’s natural to get to that point, and while it might make you feel awful, many parents go through that. As horrible as it sounds, some parents even feel regret about having a child, as they don’t feel they’re cut out for it – but it does get easier. All parents have to struggle through the earlier years of parenting, but you have to consider the good parts too.

While they might be difficult to handle, and while you might not be feeling rewarded for your efforts now, it will feel rewarding in time. You have to hang in there for both you, your partner, and your baby.

*collaborative post

This article was originally published by artofhealthyliving.com. Read the original article here.

5 Nutrient-Rich Foods Every Mom Should Prioritize After Having A Baby

CX3 — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 23:02:37 +0000

Tofu is a great source of protein, as well as the essential nutrients choline and lysine, which can be harder to find on a plant-based diet.

Choline is important for healthy cells and infant brain development, but the body only makes a small amount. Regardless of diet, most pregnant women don’t consume enough choline and this likely continues after giving birth. Choline is transferred via breast milk, and tofu is a good way to make sure you’re replenishing stores.

Lysine is an essential amino acid we have to get through diet. While plant foods contain all nine essential amino acids, lysine is limited in some of them—but not tofu.

Tofu takes on the flavor of just about anything. It’s also inexpensive and super versatile. Extra firm tofu is great to cube and roast, scramble, grill for sandwiches, or use in soup. Silken tofu works well for blending into smoothies or creamy sauces.

This article was originally published by mindbodygreen.com. Read the original article here.