Latest Obsession Fall Edition

It's been awhile since I've posted about some of my latest obsessions.... so here it goes!

1/. Arbonne.

Yes, I jumped on the arbonne wagon after a few months of contemplation. I went to a friends party back in June and loved the products but I was on a wedding budget so I refrained. Although I did buy the skin conditioning oil and I had already bought their ABC sunscreen for Oliver before I went to the party. So about 2 months ago, I bit the bullet and ordered the full RE9 line as well as a few other products. After a bit of a breakout (although my skin tends to that with every new skincare product I try) not to mention pregnancy hormones, I think I'm finally on track! I definitely notice a huge difference in the under eye bag area... ie I don't look like a total raccoon anymore. My pores aren't as large and noticeable and my skin tone is evening out. I have also gotten rid of a tonne of blackheads. I should probably mention that I'm not a skincare addict or anything. I did the bare minimum before... wash my face in the morning (in the shower) and at night and I really only used moisturizer during the day (and I used Avon products). Now I use the full RE9 line in the morning and night. Wash, toner, eye cream, serum, moisturizer (one for day and one for night) and neck cream. I want to keep this neck looking youthful too! It's always the giveaway.... people take care of their face and neglect the neck, that skin gets wrinkly too y'all! I have about a million other Arbonne products on my wish list but they aren't cheap so I have to buy a bit at a time.

Here's a list of my other faves from Arbonne...

Revelage Brightening Hand cream (is so brillant and took years off of my old lady hands!)

Definitely worth the $$ I use it in the morning and at night

Makeup Primer makes your skin feel like butter

and I use way less foundation when I remember to put the primer on first.

Arbonne

2/. Sun Rype Mini Fruit Bites- can't get enough of these delicious little snacks!

The orange-rasberry ones are my fave but I do enjoy all 3 kinds. And so does Oliver (and Guy).

A good easy snack on the go, comes in a re-sealable bag or in fruit bars as well!

And it's Canadian.

 Sun Rype

3/. Chapman's Super Lolly Banana.....yum!
These little treats are Gluten free, peanut free and naturally flavoured. Coming in at 60 calories per lolly
(for those that care about calories) it's not going to put you over the top to have a sweet little something something. Oliver and I enjoy sharing one for an after dinner treat.

 Chapman's

4/. Riding boots. I purchased these boots a couple of month ago from Old Navy (online) and was pleasantly surprised when I got them! They were $40/pair and I wasn't sure how they would look in person but they actually look a lot more expensive then they were. I bought a pair in cognac and in black and they are very comfortable; an excellent purchase!

Old Navy

To Build A Home

This is just such an incredibly beautiful song that I had to share

and I've had on majah repeat on my ipod.

Not going to lie, I totally get weepy when I listen to it!

To build A Home by Cinematic Orchestra featuring Patrick Watson

Speaking of Patrick Watson.... his voice is so amazing.

Here's some more of my favourites by him.

The Great Escape

Drifters

Big Bird In A Small Cage

Seriously Maclean's?

An article by Maclean's Magazine ......

"Are home births safe?

Home births may need less intervention and cause fewer injuries for mom.

But they may be riskier for babies."

I have several issues with it! But first I would just like to say that it made me appreciate and love my midwives that much more (web hugs to my awesome midwives).

Ok so I'm not sure why the author chose to use stats and experts from the U.S and abroad when commenting on the safety of Canadian homebirths especially when these other countries do NOT have the same education level, training or regulations that Canadian midwives have. A little like comparing apples to oranges don't you think? Not to mention that none of these experts commenting of the safety or lack of there of have actually attended a homebirth in Canada.

Secondly, choosing quotes from the clearly anti-homebirth group and then the freebirth fringe isn't really giving a true picture of what homebirth is all about. The article alerts us about the risks and dangers of homebirth and yet quickly brushes off the fact the  “A healthy young woman, coming into this hospital now for delivery, has almost a 40 per cent chance of having some sort of intervention that is not desired.”.  What outcomes does that have on the mother and baby? The article continues on about "Because of modern obstetrics. Modern obstetrics has lowered the neonatal mortality rate 90 per cent and the maternal mortality rate 99 per cent over the past 100 years.” which is wondrful and thank goodness advancements have been made in both maternal and neonatal care! But the article gives the impression that midwifery is still the same as it was in the 1800's, when in fact modern (Canadian) midwives balance the best of both worlds!

While I was miffed at their article on homebirths- they did redeemed themselves in my books with this article on McMaster University's first male midwife.
"Men are attracted to obstetrics, so why not midwifery?"

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2011/08/28/meet-mcmasters-first-male-midwife/
http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/11/20/a-midwife-crisis/

The Orange of the North

I'm talking about Sea Buckthorn, (which I just learned about for the first time 2 days ago)

it's also known as Siberian Pineapple, Sea Berry, Sandthorn and Swallowthorn.

Guy's parents bought us 3 trees- 2 females and a male

(the female trees will berry in about 3 years). We are to plant the male in the middle and females on either side about 4-5 ft apart for optimal pollination and growth.

Sea Buckthorn is a relatively new crop to Canada and since it tolerates anywhere from plus 40 to minus 40 degrees centigrade it's well suited for our climate. It's native to north-western Europe through central Asia as well as northern China and has been used for centuries for its pharmaceutical properties.

"Anecdotal reports indicate sea buckthorn was used in ancient times to: Lower fever, reduce inflammation, counteract toxicity and abscesses, and clean the lungs. Treat colds and coughs.

Treat tumours and growths, especially of the stomach and the oesophagus"

Source

These trees will berry from late July through to October and  provide a tart citrus flavour packed with many essential nurtients! Including a high concentration of Vitamin C, carotenoids, fatty acids and phytochemicals providing antioxidant benefits to boot! Juice from sea buckthorn berries is a common drink in many parts of Asia and Europe. The juice is very high in protein, vitamins C and E, and organic acids. but not only are the berries nutritional, the leaves either fresh or dried, can be steeped to yield a nutritional tea.

There are medicinal benefits as well, using sea buckthorn oil for skin therapy including sun, heat, chemical and radiation burns, eczema and poorly healing wounds. Oil from the sea buckthorn fruit is rich in vitamin E, carotenoids, phytosterols and essential fatty acids, all of which have beneficial medicinal properties for the treatment of internal and topical maladies.

They purchased our little treelings from The Healing Arc's Golden Orchard 

and I am so excited to reap the benefits of these awesome trees (in 3 years!)

What a great gift from the in-laws.

Empowered Birth Awareness Week

Every year, starting on the first Monday of September for entire week.

Women (and Men) come together to celebrate Empowered Birth.

The triumph and truths of natural birth, of getting involved and making your own choices on how you want to bring your baby into this world.

http://www.birthpower.us/WhatisEmoweredBirth.html

"Becoming educated about empowered birth choices and following your instincts for what you truly want can lead to a happier more fullfilling birth. To some this means home birth, birthing at a birth centre, hospital or even for some an educated choice of cesarean.
Your birth, your privacy and your baby's gentle beginnings can easily be railroaded by medical caregivers through unnecessary interventions. Educate yourself! And take charge of your birth, every decision counts! This journey can be one of the most amazing times of your life, if you claim it. It's the journey from being a woman to being a mother."
source

Last night I mean in the wee hours this morning when I was wide awake, I started watching 16 and pregnant on MTV. Honestly I don't know why, that show infuriates me on so many levels but in my foggy state at 3:00am I couldn't turn it off. I'm not even going to comment on the age thing and how even though the show is trying to portray the "reality" of teen pregnancy it's actually glamourizing it by making these kids celebrities. Anyhoo, that's a post and half by itself. What was really annoying last night this morning was in more than a few episodes the girls were induced prior to their due dates, or put on pitocin immediately after being admitted to "jump start" labour. Never were they given the chance to progress naturally. No wonder an epidural is needed, they've just tricked your body from early labour, where your body is preparing itself for delivery. Your body can cope with the increase intensity of contractions when allowed to do so on your time
Birth is not a race against the clock!
I feel such sadness when I see someone who's uneducated about birth and their options- fully relying on the professionals who are doing what's best for the "baby" but also what's best for their schedule. Using scare tatics about fetal distress after they just pumped you full of synthetic hormones to speed up labour. The domino effect of interventions that result and the over-use of "emergency" Cesareans are just unacceptable (to me). I don't want to heap all medical caregivers into the same pile, there are many out there who promote natural birth and respect your birth choices but you must educate yourself and make your wishes KNOWN! Always be your own advocate when it comes to your healthcare.

Of course there are complications that can arise, things can wrong and thankfully we live in a time with so many medical advancements. Life saving advancements for both mother and baby that without would have devasting results. But some where down the line, women have learned to not trust their bodies, not trust their abilities to birth naturally and to use these advancements as routine practices.

Trust your body, educate your self, find a healthcare provider you can trust.
and promote Empowered Birth Awareness!