Thanks to Jen McCann, author of Vegan Lunchbox, I welcomed my new neighbors with an unbelievably good batch of vegan white cupcakes with pineapple frosting. The cupcakes have a slight coconut flavor and they’re light and fluffy; the pineapple frosting is a perfect complement. Of course, the fact that they’re vegan shocked and amazed the crowd. It’s a good thing the recipe makes enough for seconds! Yum! (I made these also for my goddaughter’s recent first birthday. I was proud to see several guests opt for my cupcakes rather than the local bakery’s chocolate confection.)

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Need to de-stress and find your happy place in a hurry? These quick five minute or less relaxation tips can get you there quicker.

• The simplicity of closing your eyes and taking a few nice, long, deep breaths cannot be underestimated. (Though, probably not a good idea to do while driving.) Count to ten if you like. Envision your happy place. Imagine your kids winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Whatever it takes to find a contented couple of minutes. Go into the bathroom and lock the door for total solitude.
• Especially in winter, a nice cup of hot tea can bring on a bit of calm. Choose a blend that offers a soothing aroma such as Earl Grey or made of relaxing herbs such as chamomile. Tension Tamer does wonders to mellow a tense mood.
• A few drops of an essential oil dripped onto a warm, damp face cloth can add a little comfort to a busy day. Try eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender. Whatever suits your fancy.
• Take a hike. Or, rather, a walk. Preferably outside. If you can’t get away for a short walk, take a step outside anyway. The fresh air will do double time to relax and rejuvenate you. The solar power will feed your brain.
• Stand with your feet shoulder length apart and stretch your arms out sideways, then straight up to the sky. Make sure your fingers are spread out. Wiggle your fingers. Take a deep breath. Stretch your arms to the side again. Take a deep breath. Put arms forward. Bend at the waist. Touch the floor. Come back up to a standing position. Take another deep breath.
• The yoga child’s pose: Kneel and rest your bottom on your heels. Bend forward touching your forehead to the floor. Stretch your arms straight ahead of you. Bring your arms to your sides; palm upward. Inhale. exhale. Feel the quiet for a moment. Check out this nifty animation of child’s pose and other yoga positions at abc of yoga.
• Listen to your favorite song/music. Because music instantly enhances our moods, this is can become a simple and preferred way to improve mind and body experience. It doesn’t necessarily have to be soothing; just what calms your nerves…if that happens to be The Ramones, have at it!

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Check out the trailer to this must-see movie for all women—pregnant women, mothers with children young and old, and especially young women learning about the realities of women’s health care. There are some shocking moments in the trailer alone: the panel of doctors who reluctantly admit that they almost never see a natural birth. But, with proactive women such as those that made this film, the word continues to spread that there are many options for pregnant American women—including the right to be informed, be prepared and be positive! For more info about the movie: thebusinessofbeingborn.com

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A pregnant woman recently asked me an excellent question: what was my greatest strength during natural childbirth?

Truthfully, I was very fortunate to have many strengths from which I drew. My husband was an ideally supportive birthing partner. My Midwives were well-seasoned and compassionate. The greatest source of strength, however, came from a motivational tactic presented by the childbirth educator in birthing class. She introduced a simple philosophy that changed the scope of what I thought was possible, and she summed it up in one short declaration: Yes I can!

I admit I’ve always had a rebellious “don’t tell me I can’t” attitude. The idea of yes I can was at once a challenge and an affirmation. Can you? Yes, of course I can! Still, her three-word-creed was less rebellion and more inner empowerment; it was both mighty and quietly wise. The kind of yes I can that inspired my desire to experience the raw beauty of natural childbirth. It would give me the opportunity to reach within myself and put some of my stubbornness to good, productive use. Because, I honestly wondered, Could I?

I discovered I could. Twice…partly due to a newfound fascination with the art of childbirth. I began to enjoy reading books and talking with other women about the subject. The accounts of women who’ve been able to do it without medical intervention are particularly intriguing—especially those who somehow make it seem effortless, or simply, just—well—natural. I’ve learned alot from these women.

There are myriad techniques to maintaining a yes I can mindset while in the throws of labor. These helpful tools not only keep a laboring woman focused and positive but they are also proven to quell pain and speed progress. The trick is to find those that suit you. And, when utilized, the tools do direct a woman’s thoughts toward the end goal: a healthy new baby.

Some of my favorite yes I can tools are:
Deep cleansing breaths. Quiet. Dim lighting. Listening to favorite music. Walking outside. Feeling the warmth of the sun. Gently stretching arms or legs. Squatting. Finding a comfortable sitting/resting position. Bouncing/Sitting on an exercise/birthing ball. Taking a warm bath/shower. Receiving a gentle back rub. Receiving a firm back rub. Visualization of favorite things/places/people. Humming. Singing. Laughing. Enjoying the comfort of a favorite blanket/pillow/pair of fluffy slippers. Drinking a cool glass of water/juice. Feeling the presence of and embracing a spouse/partner/trusted friend. Remembering each contraction brings you one step closer to birth. Mentally acknowledging and being empowered by your progress so far. Relishing that conceiving, nurturing and birthing is part of the magic of a woman’s body. Anticipating holding your new baby. Smiling.

*Thanks to all the women who have shared their stories with me. You are all inspiring sources of strength. Special thanks to Deanna for challenging me with the crazy idea that I could. And, to my mom who has always believed I could even when I didn’t.

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If during these dreary winter months you’re looking for a fresh addition to your table, homegrown sprouts may just fit the bill. Growing sprouts at home is an easy, inexpensive and fun project to do—especially with the kids. Not to mention, they’re the perfect locally grown (in your kitchen!) vegetables to otherwise dull winter produce selections. While the snow is falling, it’s just nice to be able to watch as stems and leaves unfold while the rest of the outdoor vegetation lie fallow.

It’s important to acknowledge that while sprouting is fun and easy, it’s also an economical way to add immediate nutritional boost to meals. Several sources, including this living foods site, assert that sprouting can greatly increase the nutritional content of seeds, beans and grains—sometimes by 30 to 50%. Your newly grown sprouted foods can be added to salads, sandwiches, wraps, batter (muffin, crepe or pancake), stir-fries, rice dishes, and, of course, they can be eaten as is.

It’s really true that sprouting is a simple, quick process that can be done in a few days without alot of gear or fuss. While there is quite a selection of wonderful sprouting apparatus available for purchase, you really only need a glass jar, cheesecloth, a rubber band, seeds to be sprouted, water and a few days.

What will sprout well? There are a wide variety of beans, seeds and grains that can be grown to produce delicate delicious sprouts. Some of the most common include clover, alfalfa, mung, radish, lentil and even pumpkin seeds. It’s important to be sure all seeds and beans are organic and originate from a source free of pesticides or herbicides just as you would when planting a garden in soil. Many health food stores sell ready-to-grow packs of individual or blends of seeds and beans. You can also find sprouting supplies online here and here.

OK. So, how do you sprout? Very Easily. I Promise. This is my method. I have great success with alfalfa, broccoli, mung and lentil…not so much with quinoa, but I’m working on it.

• Measure out 2 Tablespoons of whatever you want to sprout (seeds, beans, grains, etc.)
• Inspect and discard any stones, pebbles or debris. Rinse well.
• Place in a jar filled 3/4 full with cool water and soak over night.
• Drain and place in the basin of sprouter (or a glass jar fitted with a piece of cheesecloth attached with a rubber band)
• Once seeds are in sprouter/jar, rinse and drain well again. Let rest making sure there is no residual water left in sprouter/jar. Your sprouts will start sprouting in the nest few hours!
• Fill and drain sprouter/jar twice a day for 3-5 days. My kids and I like to watch the tiny stems grow.
• On the last day: Give them one last good rinse and your sprouts are ready to eat. Store any unused sprouts in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. (I always place a slightly damp paper towel under sprouts to absorb/provide moisture)

Check out this step-by-step sprouting instructional posted by the farm.org. They’re absolutely right: once you get the hang of it, the process is almost impossible to screw up. They’ve provided a nice illustration, too. Enjoy!

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We’ve been busy. Very busy. 2008 promises to be the year of organization for the Cameron Clan. I’ve put our weekly trips to storytime at the local library to good use and borrowed several books addressing organizing, minimalizing and feng shui. (One of my oldest and dearest pals is an extremely talented Interior Designer, so I can just imagine her chuckling to herself reading this from 3000+ miles away.)

Nevertheless—as part of my goal to reclaim brain cells lost during childbirth, years of breastfeeding, and endlessly repeating the same phrases to my children (ie: “No, you may not put on your bike helmet to headbutt your sister”)—I am self-directing a quick course in using the basic principals of feng shui in our home.

So far, I’ve experienced an exquisitely freeing, calming result from the first few minor adjustments in home energy flow.

• I have overcome my urge to place on the staircase items whose homes belong on the next up/down floor. These items usually never made it to their destination. These items inevitably became fixtures on my stairs to the point that my toddler had to attempt to step around them while also holding on to the banister for support. Now, she lightly steps worry and obstacle free. And, the change in positive energy flow gives me a warm new-agey feeling inside.
• I created a distinct entry way in my most often used entry door: from the garage into the basement. Though it’s not externally visible, I am often greeted by that brown door several times a day. So, to make ME feel more welcome in my home, I hung art on the door to greet me, laid a welcome mat and furnished the entrance with a small table, shoe racks, artwork and key hooks. Now, the space is defined and pleasant. Everything I need is right where I need it when I am entering/exiting the house. No more scrambling around for lost keys, phones, diaper bags, purses or backpacks. Our coats look so much happier hanging up than draped over my son’s bicycle.
• We replaced several old light fixtures that weren’t broken just not bright or dim enough, as the case may be…not to mention they just weren’t our style. The difference in literal and figurative illumination was pleasantly unexpected.
• I trimmed, sang to and breathed life back into a few neglected house plants. Ever since, they’ve been doing the same for me. Likewise, I thoroughly cleaned the fish tank down to filtering out the muck among the pebbles. Our bubble-eyed goldfish, Orange Juice and Chocolate Milk, are playfully swishing their tails with glee.
• Most importantly, I unloaded years of baggage. Still useful items were taken to a women’s shelter. Hand-me-downs not worthy of passing on (originally given by well meaning family members which I allowed to overstay their use) were put out to pasture. My mom, the gracious and thoughtful giver of most of these items, told me upon entering that my house now feels bigger and brighter. And, here I thought she’d be hurt! It turns out, she thoroughly agrees that my home is better off without the unnecessary clutter.

The (re)organization will continue throughout the year, as I continue to relish the newly found focus and positive energy flow. And, I’ll be posting fun places to learn more about organizing, placement and home energy flow like this one and this one.

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