Yesterday was my son's fifth birthday, and I found myself a bit unprepared. We had celebrated a week early with a big Star Wars party for 24 small children and their accompanying adults. In addition to cleaning and decorating, I made a homemade coconut flour cake with honey butter cream frosting and some scrumptious but nutritious snacks like bacon wrapped dates, squash soup, wilted kale in butter, grass fed beef hot dogs … [Read more...] about Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies, Real Food Style
Is Your Baby’s Blue Vein a Sugar Bug?
Both of my children were born with a faint blue vein on the bridge of their noses, and like any sufficiently paranoid mother, I would squint and study it trying to figure out what it could possibly be... a bruise, a birth mark, something else? For years in the Chinese medicine community I heard whisperings of this blue vein being a reliable diagnostic tool for predicting a sensitivity to sugar. I took note, and have used this … [Read more...] about Is Your Baby’s Blue Vein a Sugar Bug?
10 Pearls Of Wisdom From My Village Elder
I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend in a seminar taught by Raven Lang, a seasoned midwife, master acupuncturist and herbalist, and mother. Being in the presence of a woman like Raven elicits a feeling reminiscent of what it must be like to have a village elder to teach you your trade and show you the way to be a good mother. She began the weekend with a Navajo lullaby, and then quickly got down to business with … [Read more...] about 10 Pearls Of Wisdom From My Village Elder
10 Great Gifts For A Real Food Newbie
Whether you're new to eating a Traditional, Real Food diet, or know a Real food newbie, here's a list of gift ideas sure to be a hit this holiday season (or any time of year, for that matter). 1. Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig - the essential Real Food classic. 2. A gift certificate from your local farmer that raises pasture-raised meats or a great company that sells online. 3. Nourishing Our … [Read more...] about 10 Great Gifts For A Real Food Newbie
Is Formula Necessary For An Underweight Newborn?
If you're about to supplement with formula because your newborn's weight doesn't meet chart guidelines or your pediatrician's expectations, take a step back to consider the big picture first. First of all - and I apologize in advance that this statement will not be popular with many moms who bottle feed - formula is simply not an equivalent substitute for breast milk. The decision to use this ultra-processed 'food' should not … [Read more...] about Is Formula Necessary For An Underweight Newborn?
40 Fertility Superfoods To Eat Right Now
When you are trying to conceive, it's especially important to nourish your body with Real Food to optimize fertility and stock your body with the materials it needs to make a healthy baby. While this sounds logical, you may be surprised by some of the suggestions below. These nutrient-dense foods offer an abundance of fat-soluble vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and wholesome fats in six main categories: seafood, liver, full … [Read more...] about 40 Fertility Superfoods To Eat Right Now
The Outlandish Alternative To Prenatal Vitamins
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, prepare yourself to witness an amazing alternative to prenatal vitamins..... Drumroll please... May I present you with: Good, old-fashioned FOOD! Crazy, I know, but IF you eat the right quantity of the right foods, you don't need to waste your money on prenatal vitamins.** Cultures around the world and through time have had sacred foods that they fed to couples trying to conceive and … [Read more...] about The Outlandish Alternative To Prenatal Vitamins
Breast Is Best? Not Always
I'm sure I will get a reaming for this from breastfeeding advocates, but I believe it's worth pointing out that sometimes mamas simply need an alternative to just popping baby on the boob. Now, don't get me wrong. I am a huge proponent of breastfeeding and I don't recommend that moms read this and STOP breastfeeding. But I am also a proponent of nursing mamas eating a nutrient-dense diet...and ideally this starts even before … [Read more...] about Breast Is Best? Not Always
What I Ate Today: Jessamyn & Paul
Lately the "What I Ate Today" posts have been about people who mostly eat well and just need a few minor changes to make their diets great. Time to hear from the other 99%. I'm sure you know plenty of folks who aren't willing to eat a perfect diet but are interested in eating "better". Go ahead, raise your hand. No one's looking. (And if you're the 1% of perfect eaters, please forward this to a family member or … [Read more...] about What I Ate Today: Jessamyn & Paul
4 Reasons To Let Your Kids Eat Junk This Halloween
Ahhhhh! High fructose corn syrup! Artificial dyes! Unpronounceable chemicals! Extruded rice crispy treats! Ahhhhh! When I was a kid, the big scare was razorblades in apples. Now, conscious-minded parents everywhere are terrorized by the everyday poisons of process sugars and other nastiness found in their child's trick or treat bucket. Well, I'm here to say, "BOO!" Here's 4 reasons to let your kids eat junk this … [Read more...] about 4 Reasons To Let Your Kids Eat Junk This Halloween
Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup With Roasted Veggies
It is certainly soup season in my neighborhood, and this crockpot chicken soup is both easy and nurturing. The recipe is based on Nourished Kitchen's Slow Cooker Chicken Soup, but I've changed the steps a bit to remove the bones and non-savory bits before adding veggies and opted to roast the vegetables separately in the oven for more flavor. If you're short on time or don't mind pulling out bones while you're eating, by all … [Read more...] about Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup With Roasted Veggies
What I Ate Today: Lauren J.
Holistic Squid weighs in with a nutrient-dense spin on Lauren J.'s diet. Lauren, age 29, lives in Aptos, CA (near Santa Cruz). Mom to a five month old little girl - born the natural way! - Lauren recently discovered the work of Weston Price, and is committed to following a traditional, nutrient-dense diet for both her baby's sake and her own personal health. Here's what Lauren ate today: Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled in … [Read more...] about What I Ate Today: Lauren J.