Pregnancy Tea

Have I told you much about my previous four pregnancies? I think I have mentioned that my first was born when we were vegans on a nearly all-raw diet. Rainbow weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces at birth.

We switched to a mostly Weston Price Diet next... and Spiderman weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces. At that time, I really thought I could get all the nutrients I needed from diet alone. He was born by Cesarean, which I don't think was related at all to my mention of diet and lack of supplements. He was a double footling breech, and that has nothing to do with nutrition.

I took Baby Me Now vitamins by Solaray with Witzy. She was born a healthy 8 pounds 8 ounces. Later, I saw my prenatal vitamins on a list of supplements contaminated with lead. Yikes!

Tickle was my first Shaklee baby. She was my easiest pregnancy by far and maybe my easiest delivery (except for Rainbow who was almost too small to notice and was delivered in just two hours). Tickle was by far my quickest recovery. She weighed nearly nine pounds.

Both Tickle and Witzy were VBACs. After my c/sec with Spiderman, I read mounds of information on the safety and risks of VBACs. Once I decided to attempt a VBAC, I wanted to give myself the very best chance I could to deliver without uterine rupture.

In my reading, I found information stating that Red Raspberry Leaf Tea would increase the integrity of the uterine muscle and give the womb a durability that could possibly lower risk of uterine rupture. I added this tea to my daily routine in hopes it would do just that.

I can't definitively point to the factors that lead to my VBAC successes (I am thankful to God), but I do think that this tea has been helpful during my last two pregnancies, deliveries and recoveries. It is a remarkable health drink for any pregnant woman, whether attempting a VBAC or not.

The ingredients of my pregnancy tea are:

• 3 Tbsp. Red Raspberry Leaf, which strengthens the uterus, prevents hemorrhaging, and even curbs nausea
• 1 Tbsp. Alfalfa, which is rich in Vitamin K, loaded with minerals, aids in detoxification and also curbs nausea
• 1/2 Tbsp. Nettle, which aids in detoxification, helps with water retention and prevents UTIs
• 1 Tbsp. Peppermint, mostly for flavor but also for digestion and nausea
• (optional) 2 Tbsp. Green Tea, which is a gentle pick-me-up, also rich in antioxidants
  

*Note: I am just mentioning a few of the benefits of these herbs. Click the name of each to see a more lengthy description of what these herbs are known to do.*

I usually drink my pregnancy tea iced because I am always hot when I am pregnant! I make a gallon at a time. Here's how:

1. Boil two quarts of water in a pot.
2. Take the water off the burner.
3. Pour in the herbs listed above.
4. Let steep for about ten minutes.
5. Then strain the leafy stuff out as you pour it into a gallon sized pitcher.
6. While it is hot, add 1/2 to 1 tsp. of raw local honey per cup of tea.
7. Then pour in two quarts of cool water.
8. Serve over ice.
9. Keep in the fridge.

If you want to make just a cup of hot tea, keep the combination of herbs listed above mixed together in a glass jar. When you make each cup of tea, use 1-2 tsp. of the dry herbs in a tea ball. Pour boiling water over the tea ball and let steep for 5 minutes.

If you add green tea, which I frequently do, you'll want to keep it separate from the rest of the herbs. I use a tea ball and put in two tablespoons of green tea leaves. I let that steep in the pot with the loose herbs, but pull the tea ball out after 2-3 minutes so that I don't get that bitter green tea bite. Then I just let the loose herbs continue to steep until I strain it into the pitcher.

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Eating a lot, but still skinny?

Are you still bothered with your sister, friend, neighbor who eats a lot but stays slim and never gain a pound? Here's something that you must read


Our body shapes and sizes vary because we have different metabolic rates or metabolism. The determinants of the metabolic rates are sex, the amount of exercise that we do everyday, age and the amount of muscle compared to fat. These are the main reason why our body shapes differs from one another. So don’t think that if one is so skinny, he probably is choosy when eating. There are times that our metabolism are affected by the hormonal factors or genetics. So no longer wonder if you know someone who eat like there’s no tomorrow, and stays very thin.


Males and Females have different metabolic rates, Women have lower metabolic rates than those of the men, and testosterone is the reason behind it. We learned from school that the responsible for the “manly matters” among their aspect when it comes to physiological is none other than testosterone. This includes the muscle growth. We also know that Women has lesser muscles than men, this is the reason why men has lower metabolic rates. Women have progesterone and estrogen as sex hormones.


When it comes to age, The children, infants and teenagers have higher metabolic rates, because children, infants and teenagers are the age groups that have active growth hormones. Now, these human active growth hormones are not given to matured adults this may lead to some problems. These are only given to children who are suffering from abnormal growing rate.


Pregnant women have higher metabolic rates and especially those breastfeeding, I so agree with this as I’m a living proof of how fast my metabolic rates nowadays. And to maintain these higher-than-normal metabolic rates, an exercise daily is such a great help.

Do you think that exercising in the evening better than other times of the day?

Doesn’t matter, There is no studies that prove that time does affect the effects of exercise in our body. The best idea is to exercise at your own convenient time. Try to do this three times a week and you will definitely see results. So don’t worry or don’t bother if your sister never gain a pound even if she eats like there’s no tomorrow. Metabolism differs.

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Injectable, why you should give this a try?

Image via Wikipedia Injectables have now become the fourth most commonly used contraceptive method worldwide.
More and more women are being open to using contraceptive that stops monthly bleeding. Some women stopped the use of injectables because they stop having their monthly period.Many women though welcome the absence of menstruation and continue using the method.

Injectables may also help in preventing the abnormal development of cells in the ovaries and uterus. by stopping or reducing monthly bleeding. Injectables may also help reduce heavy bleeding, dysmennorrhea and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or PMS.

Women using injectables who want to conceive will be capable of doing so after they stop using it. There may be a slight delay before pregnancy occurs after stopping the use of injectables but this should not be equated with infertility. Injectable are also safe for breastfeeding mothers since injectables do not affect the quality and quantity of breast milk. Using injectables therefore does not have any harmful effects on the growth and developments of infants.

A single shot of an injectible contraceptive provides three months of continuous and uninterrupted protection from unplanned pregnancy. For couples, This means total confidence an peace of mind.

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Diabetes and getting pregnant

Image via Wikipedia It is important for pregnant women with diabetes to monitor their weight.
I just got a message from a diabetic friend that she's pregnant, so i did my research and send her this:

You should monitor your weight and food intake.

Drastic increase in weight approximately 6.5 pounds per month contributes to insulin resistance' while weight gain of only half a pound per week (or less than 2 pounds per month ) is a sign that you and your baby are not receiving sufficient nourishment.

you should receive a total of40% to 50% of your daily caloric count from carbohydrates make sure these are spread throughout the day. Low carb intake may result in hypoglycemia, while too much carb intake will elevate your blood sugar levels. Time and plan your day's first and last meals no more than 10 hours apart to avoid low blood sugar.

Choose food rich in complex carbs such as high-fiber breads, oatmeal, whole wheat and brown rice. Avoid refined sugars and sweets as well as instant noodles and processed breakfast cereals.

Protein should compromise 20% to 25% of your daily diet, limiting fat too only 30% (monounsaturated and Omega-3) Limit your sodium intake to less than 1/10 tsp per meal.
Evey pregnant women should watch what they eat, because they are eating for two. But Diabetic women should be more concern about their weight and food consumption.

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Losing weight after pregnancy

Losing weight After the pregnancy? One of the biggest problems women encounter is losing weight. A lot of women became depressed after a pregnancy. The skin,the fat, the whole body are absolutely different from before so women tried their best to bring back their old body.Here are some tips that will help you lose weight and gain back that lost confidence.

1.Drink lots of water. -Drinking water will help you feel fuller which should suppress your appetite and less likely to eat more. Exercising will help eliminate water weight and the bloating. Most people will not drink water more than their body weight can handle. You should drink about 6-8 glasses a day depending on your body weight.

2.Watch what you eat.you are what you eat. Try to eat little to no junk food and sugar, choose healthy snacks instead; ie: fruits, vegetables, cheese, milk or juice. If you can't live without chocolates or sweet candies try alternatives. Limit your food intake when you eat, take small to medium size servings and try not ti go back for seconds, Avoid dessert as possible

3.Most important start a workout of some sort as soon as your doctor says its safe. Pick something you like to do running, speed walking, yoga, weight lifting, swimming, what ever you enjoy, or a combination of them. Just be sure that you do a warm up and cool down and get your heart rate up for at least 30 - 40 min. Try to work out at least 5 days out of the week ,7 if you have time, for at least an hour a day.

Remember it took 9 months to make a baby expect it to take 9-12 months to lose most the weight and regain the muscle tone you had before you had the baby. No pain no gain.

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