Don't eat margarine

Camille doing tummy time in her blessing dress (the same dress Dana wore, the dress her grandma made 29 years ago).  I've been attacking this reflux problem very actively and naturally, and I THINK I have it under control, now.  But I keep thinking that, and then she phases back into it, so I'm waiting to make sure it's all good for several weeks, before I tell you about our experience.  But this is remarkable, because my other kids would never be on their tummies like this without crying.

My next door neighbor from Nigeria came over to show me how to do a back carry with an ordinary blanket.  That's what they all do there.  Camille was asleep almost instantly when put on my back.  It's so much easier to do things where I need to bend over (cleaning, etc.) with her on my back than front.  I definitely need more practice getting her on there.  Jason was pretty excited about it.  Being straight from Nigeria, he exclaimed, "This is legit!"

Now on to my post, which has nothing to do with those first pictures.  I guess I just feel like blogging right now. 


Someday I might stop changing my mind so much and once and for all decide what I think about food, and what I believe is really healthy.  And when that day comes, I will tell you all, because I know I have a few of you foody-nerd friends out there, and you actually are interested :)  But in the mean time, I'll just say I'm starting to really become a real-foodist, more than I was in the past.  The way God made food is trump, well over vitamin-fortified "healthy" food.  Anyway, so I wanted to get this word out there, immediately because everyone should know what margarine is made out of.  According to the FDA, to lower Jason's cholesterol, he should be eating margarine fortified with plant sterols and stenols.  Well, here's how margarine is made (any margarine, not just the fortified kind):


"Hydrogenation: This is the process that turns polyunsaturates, normally liquid at room temperature, into fats that are solid at room temperature - margarine and shortening.  To produce them, manufacturers begin with the cheapest oils - soy, corn, cottonseed or canola, already rancid from the extraction process - and mix them with tiny metal particles - usually nickel oxide.  The oil with its nickel catalyst is them subjected to hydrogen gas in a high-pressure, high-temperature reactor.  Next, the soap-like emulsifiers and starch are squeezed into the mixture to give it a better consistency; the oil is yet again subjected to high temperatures when it is steam-cleaned.  This removes its unpleasant odor.  Margarine's natural color, an unappetizing grey, is removed by bleach.  Dyes and strong flavors must then be added to make it resemble butter.  Finally, the mixture is compressed and packaged in blocks or tubs and sold as a health food."  Nourishing Traditions p. 14.  


And partially hydrogenated is worse, as we have all been told.  But we've only been told to eat the stuff w/o trans fat.  Well, there it is, as described above.  Seriously?  I've been back and forth on the margarine thing for a while, mostly because I was scared for Jason's cholesterol.  But no longer.  I'm just wishing I'd read this process before.  I grew up on margarine andI never want to put that stuff in my body again. 


Everyone should know this.  Pass it on.  

My favorite thing

Babywearing.  It's the concept that a baby wants to be carried, not put in a stroller or toted in a car seat.  It is how people have been carrying babies forever, how women could still be productive and find food, build shelter, while caring for their young.  It is said to regulate baby's breathing, build security, and (I testify on this last one) give you the convenience of a hands-free carry.



Maybe you already know about this, but for some reason I didn't.  The first time I was introduced to this concept, was when I was in NY with some friends.  We were living in NJ and had taken the train up to the city for some shopping.  I was with two girl friends and Dana.  I brought our nice Phil & Teds stroller, and Jessica and Courtney helped me lift it onto the train, up the stairs, etc.  So no big deal, right, when there's 3 women and 1 baby!  Dana was 4 months old at the time, and I slipped inside a little fabric shop to nurse her.  A woman came in carrying her sleeping 2 1/2 year old son on her back.  I suppose she thought babywearing would be right up my ally, since there I was breastfeeding in (sort of) public.  She said to me, "You know, if you get a carrier, you don't need to lug a big stroller around with you everywhere you go." I thought that was cool, she was running her errands around New York City, and her son was sleeping away.  So I asked about her carrier, she said the name and I asked again, because it was unfamiliar to me.  She said, "It really doesn't matter what kind of carrier, there are lots of different kinds."  That was our conversation.  She never said the term "babywearing" and I didn't really find out exactly what it was until a few months later. 

I had a Baby Bjorn when Levi was a baby.  I hardly ever used it.  It was very uncomfortable.  I suppose it would be considered babywearing to use one of those, but they are so uncomfortable, I don't know if anyone uses them enough to be called that :)  I found this website that gives more information than you will ever want to know, but is so very helpful.  When Dana was 8 mo old I was considering doing babywearing (it's much easier to start with a newborn, though) but was so overwhelmed with the information on this site, I gave it up.  Who has hours to spend researching which type of carrier to use?  There are SOOOOO many (and why everyone only has a bjorn, is beyond me :).  But the idea is there is no one right carrier.  It really depends on what your needs are.  I chose a stretchy wrap for a few reasons: reflux baby, back problems/comfort, and cost effectiveness.  But even within stretchy wraps, there are so many options.  I went with the standard Moby Wrap, which is even for sale at Target, so definitely getting popular.  I probably would have gone with the Sleepy Wrap, which is the same cheap price, but I found the Moby at the consignment shop. In a few months I'll probably get a woven wrap.  It all depends on your needs.

Anyway, I am so so glad I put in a few hours to find a carrier that is right for me, and to actually go through with babywearing.  I think I tell Jason every night how much I love it.  I get stuff done (and get to snuggle with her at the same time, and kiss the top of her little head), Camille's reflux is soothed (YES, she does have reflux, and I WILL do a post about our experience later), my back doesn't hurt, even after wearing her for hours, and guess what?  We still have only 1 car, our little economy car, and all 3 5 pt harnesses fit in the back seat.  But we can't get the infant carrier out, it's so squished.  But who cares!  I take her out of it and put her in the wrap anyway.  And when we go to the store, I don't have to take up a huge portion of the cart to put in a car seat. Speaking of shopping, the only time I ever wished I formula fed in the past was when I was walking around the grocery store and the baby was crying, and I had to check out prematurely so I could get to the car and have a place to sit and nurse.  Well, when I went into Walmart a couple weeks ago, Camille woke up hungry just on our way into the store.  I just pulled up my shirt, and nursed her while I walked around the store, and I promise no one could even tell.  How awesome.

The only draw back I have come across so far is she wakes up a little when I get her in and out of the car seat.  But she'll get used to it, and she always goes right back to sleep.  Also, if clothes shopping, I suppose I will have to find a place to lay her down to try on the clothes.  Maybe I'll bring a bouncer?  Just thought I'd pass along the good news.