Another Reason to Buy Local

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/08/honey-laundering/ Unsafe Honey Flooding American Super Markets

I have really gotten into the SLOW (seasonal, local, organic, whole) movement since reading Alice Waters book

It started for me as just a cook book to read from the library to get me and my family eating better, but the message stayed with me and has lead me to read many other books about the SLOW food movement and eating. I was a vegetarian for 10 years till I got pregnant the first time (cravings got the better of me, and a little anemia didn't help) so I am no stranger to animal rights, healthier food and sustainable foods, but recently I have been learning so much more.
We I read news articles like about about what horrible things get into our food it makes me more a more want to reach my dream of becoming a homesteader.
Hopefully one day I will be more of a homesteader and a radical homemaker then I am now.

Peace with in the Storm

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths

Life has become very different for me in the past 2 weeks. My husband had gone on strike so we have no income and now our health benefits are probably being cancelled 5 days after my due date.
It is very scary to think about no money coming in but I keep telling myself that God will provide and help us get through this hard time.
I have already started to research programs like WIC and state sponsored health insurance. I never thought that I would need these type of programs, but you just never know in life. I am grateful that they are there and should be able to help us get through this difficult time.
I know lots of families who are suffering with this strike and other financially difficulties, but because of pride will not bring themselves to go to apply for WIC, food stamps or other aide. They suffer and charge life's bills to keep up with the Jones and not be considered poor.
I do not understand this mentality at all. I know there are lots of abuse to the welfare systems in this country but there is a wonderful purpose to them. To feed the hungry and provide them with medical care as they need.

1 Timothy 6:7-10

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

It is a shame that in America too many are causing suffering on others because of their own greed.
As long as we are fed, clothed and healthy I will not let this get me down. I will let go and leave it in the hands of God. For he will guide me through these times.

We have been planning for this possibility. I am grateful that we don't over extend ourselves so we do not have to stress. With the addition help we should be getting I know will will get through this hard time and come out stronger people.

TV Limits

Last week I was thinking about what I was doing 2 years ago. I was pregnant with Liv in the middle of the summer, waiting for my due date, just as I am now. But there is one huge difference, this time I am caring for a toddler. Cooking, cleaning, playing games, chasing her for diaper changes and more.
It is absolutely exhausting. Most days during her nap time I am napping too.
Before I became pregnant I limited Liv's tv time to zero. She watched no tv at all. But once morning sickness started to set in I gave in. I needed the break to go throw up in peace and to also recover.
When I started to feel better the tv was turned off again.
But now as I approach my due date the tv has been turned back on again. I am so exhausted and tired I need some breaks.
I am fairly anti-tv for young children. There are so many other things they can and should be doing then passively watching television. But unfortunately since I can barely bend down and we are in a heat wave out door play is limited and so are many indoor activities. She will entertain herself, but can not do that as often as I would like. So for those rough times the tv goes on.
I still set strong limits with the tv.
No more then an hour a day (when I am more able its down to 1/2hour)
The hour can not be continues, she can not watch more then 15-20 mins of so of tv at a time. Which is perfect since most children's shows have 15 min episodes.
Other tips I used to keep our tv watching down is to not schedule in tv in our day. There is not time in the day Liv sits on the couch and expects to watch tv. I reserve it for special needs in the day. When I need to call the dr. When she is getting very fussy and i need a break. When I am absolutely exhausted and need to lay down, or when I don't feel well and need to lay down.
I think its important to not have tv time scheduled in our day. Even though I have become more dependent on it we are still not too dependent at all.
If we have a nice day planned and I feel well the tv does not go on all day.
There are so many negatives to the television at this age. A great book on it is
When I feeling a little more in my brain and not all about baby coming I will try to get more into why TV is can harm children at all ages.

Full Term

I am now officially full term, 37 weeks pregnant.
This hot and humid summer has not made this a very fun pregnancy, either has chasing a toddler around.
I am just about ready to go, I hope I do not make it to 40 weeks.
I have become cranky, walking takes too much effort and I never feel cool or comfortable.
I have also out grown a lot of my maternity clothes, which is weird since I gained more weight with Liv then with this pregnancy and I started out only 2lbs about my pre Liv pregnancy weight.
Last time I was 9 months pregnant I was enjoying a cool and wet August (I knew I would not be so lucky again in NJ with our normal hot and humid summers)going for relaxing walks, sitting on the beach or in pool or watching Sopranos reruns on my tv.
This time I would love to be doing the same, but with an almost 2 year old that is not happening.
My tv time is limited to her naps, since I try to limit what and how much she watches and if its on she just plops on the couch with me.
So I have been knitting and reading more. Reading books with my daughter, coloring and if its a cooler day we do some baking.
While I am ready to not be pregnant I am a little worried about labor, since I had a horrible one last time, and dealing with a toddler and a newborn.
Things are definitely going to change big time around here soon.

Transitioning to a Toddler Bed

Last night was Liv's first night in her new room with her new bed. She did amazingly well.
I have been prepping her a lot for it.

She helped us put all her clothes in her new closet, bring in her toys and books too.
She also watched Daddy take apart her crib and turn it into a toddler bed in her new room. He asked her to help him. She would give him screws and hold the flash light.
After the bed was set up we had her help put in her night time toys and let her play in the bed reading to her dolls for a little bit before bed.
We went through her normal night time routine and she was out. She didn't wake up once the whole night.
I think she enjoys the freedom of being able to get out of the bed when she wakes up.
We talked about her new bed for a while and how she is not a baby any more and gets to sleep in a big girl bed. She loved the idea, which is why I think she has done so well.
I didn't not push her before I felt she was ready. Since her bed converts all the way to a full we got another set like this for the baby so worse case scenario she could of stayed in her crib.
Liv is almost 2 now and does not think she is a baby any more. She loves the idea of being grown and likes to cuddle and kiss babies and her dolls. I just hope this keeps up when our new baby arrives.

The Joys of Pregnancy

Image via Wikipedia

I have again become a blogging slacker, but this time I have a good excuse, carpal tunnel. Just another lovely side effect of pregnancy. With the high heat and humidity the dr told me to wear a brace at night or when it bothers me and just try to relax since it most likely won't go away till after the baby is born, which is another 6 weeks.
I am also stuck indoors with my asthma getting worse with this high heat. I just love being pregnant, haha.
So my typing now has to be limited, especially since I determined to make some knitted things for the new baby. Knitting is not the best thing if carpal tunnel is bothering your right wrist.
Since I am new to knitting my first project is this
I am almost done and am getting so excited to make something for the baby by hand.
I'm hoping that the carpal tunnel will subside more since the brace is helping so I can keep knitting gifts for my new baby.
Maybe if this heat subsides it will feel a lot better and I can post a real blog.

Manners and etiquette, long gone?

Image by franglo via Flickr

Today I was shopping at a children's consignment shop. I am now 8 months pregnant and was holding my almost 2 year old's hand trying to get in the door when a women rushed out to get more bags from her car. She said excuse me. But really shouldn't she be waiting for a pregnant woman and a child, not trying to cut ahead? Is your time really that important, that more important than mine?
At first I thought this was the owner, and was about to leave since I didn't want to give someone like that my business. Then I realized this is another customer trying to sell her stuff to the shop. So I went on my way shopping.
I just think of my little girl, not even 2, who has better manners then this woman. She says please and thank you (we are working on your welcome since she always responds to thank you with another thank you) she even says bless you when someone sneezes.
I was not raised with good manners or etiquette, but as I got older I realized the importance and how bratty I probably was as a child so I always said I would instill good manners in my children.
Honestly I have not found it hard either. I make sure to always say please and thank you and Liv has just caught on.
I just love seeing children using good manner, its always puts a smile on my face. I can recall last time I was pregnant a boy, maybe all of 4 held the door open for me. This made my day.
To me most often bad manners just shows me that you think your time is more important then mine. This is such a selfish attitude. No wonder society is the way it is with people walking around thinking this way.
Someone is late, what I have nothing better to do then wait around for you?
Holding the door, someone can't take 20 seconds out of their day to help out a pregnant woman, a child, the elderly or just anyone who might not have his/her hands free.
I had a woman block me in at the grocery store last month with her cart. Said excuse me, she looked at me and looked around at the boxes blocking me in on the other side. "What do u want me to do?" She said moving on with looking for her purchase. "Move your cart so I can get out?"
Again another selfish act. She expected me to wait for her to pick out her meat, which can take a while, then take 5 seconds to move her cart out of the way.
People talking or texting while out with friends, is something else better going on. You can't enjoy the company of others and give them your full attention?
Talking loud on cellphones in public places. Lack of cellphone etiquette is a huge pet peeve of mine. I hate when I go to a register and have to wait for the cashier to finish up his/her text. People have no pride in their work at all.
When did we become so self-centered?
What ever happened to love thy neighbor?
I can not change the world, but I am glad that I am teaching my own children that walking around thinking that the world revolves around you is not okay. I feel good teaching them brotherhood for their fellow man. Yes I feel manners are a simple start of this.
Manners show respect to yourself and others.
Treat others as you want to be treated.
These may sound cliched, but they are true.

Related articles

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• Child Caring: Making manners stick (boston.com)
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