Breastfeeding Revolution

Hello Mamas,

Have you overcome huge obstacles and challenges in your life and gained great wisdom from the experience?  While we are in the midst of the chaos we really can't understand why it is happening.  It's usually not until quite some time later that we finally say, "OH!  That's why that happened and I'm better off for having that experience."

If you know me personally then you know that I have dealt with a lifetime of digestive issues.  When I was in my 20's I was diagnosed with a pre-Cancerous condition and had a HUGE wake-up call!  The message I received was, "I am RESPONSIBLE for my own health!"  Not the doctors, Nutritionists or Specialists.  Just me.  I healed myself through food and nutrition.  I vowed that my life would be different.  It has been.

During my first pregnancy I decided that I wanted a Natural, Unmedicated, Unassisted Hospital Birth.  I had a new-found appreciation for my body and knew that Birthing a Baby is what it was designed to do.  I knew if I could trust the process, all would go well and it did.  What I didn't expect was that when my baby was born that all my bacteria and years of my unbalanced system would be passed along to him.  He came out with minimal digestive issues AND he was unable to breastfeed.

You see, I had gained information about Breastfeeding and after experiencing a Natural Birth, I felt that Breastfeeding was the next step in continuing his path to health.  When things didn't go well I felt Isolated, Angry, Confused, Worried, Disappointed....   and the doctors didn't help.  They made me feel crazy.  "JUST give Formula."  But I had the Breastmilk.  I was home with my baby.  I was fully available for exclusive breastfeeding.  I began to question, "Why can't anyone help me to make this work?  Why must I be alone in this journey?"

I was blessed to have a husband that fully supported me.  He made meals, he brought them to me, he stayed up with me at night while I cried from the pain each time my son latched on.  He never left my side.  He carted me around to Pediatricians, Hospitals and ENTs.  Hospitals? Yes, because they took blood from my baby to see if there was a reason why he wasn't gaining weight.

When finally after 3 months of going through the agony, I began supplementing with formula and that brought about tremendous problems for my baby.  He dealt with constipated, diaper rashes, projectile vomiting, and constant crying.  At that time we had an amazing Lactation Specialist come visit our home and she diagnosed his tongue tie.  I was still trying to nurse.  I tried Supplemental Nursing Systems, finger feedings, and Syringe Feedings.  We rushed into NYC with our baby crying all the way and had it clipped in a simple 5 minute procedure.

You would think things would have gotten better after that, right?  Wrong.  Each and Every time I brought my baby to my breast he screamed, almost in terror.  He was so frustrated.  I was frustrated and exhausted.  I couldn't see past the emotional pain for us.  That was the end of our breastfeeding relationship.

I cried and cried every time I gave my baby a bottle.  It wasn't what I had desired for us but at that point I had no control of that.  I didn't know better.  I didn't have any other support.

In the end, I went on to make homemade formula and all of his issues began to subside.  Finally I was at peace with feeding my baby.


~This is part of my Breastfeeding Journey.  It is why I encourage moms to learn more about breastfeeding, so they can choose to do what's best for their babies.  Breastfeeding doesn't look the same for everyone but it is by far the healthiest choice for your baby.  You will need the information and support way before the baby arrives...  It is my intention that you will be informed and inspired here:  www.breastfeedingrevolution.com/Christine

It's a Revolution!  And it's F-R-E-E!  Join 21 amazing mama and baby experts as they share their own personal breastfeeding stories and their best nursing advice with you.

I look forward to welcoming you to Breastfeeding Revolution! 

Please SHARE this with all the mommies and daddies in your communities.


In breastfeeding success,
Christine

I Was the One

So, here is my tribute to April - Poetry Month:

I was that person

I was one that felt sick after every she ate

pants didn't fit after dinner and I'd have to unbutton them

because my stomach would bloat

I was the one who would have to leave the table after a few bites

during a meal to run to the restroom

I was the one who was trapped in the restroom for a very long time

with either Constipation, Diarrhea or extreme aches and pains

I was the one

who was embarrassed to use a restroom at work

or anywhere outside of my home

because of the toxic aroma

I don't mean to be gorey

but being that we're all Moms here, we've Seen it all!

I was the one who suffered from severe aches and pains from Menstruation

starting at a very young age and was put on Birth Control Pills

because of the heavy bleeding, debilitating cramps and anemia that followed

I was the one

who had the beginnings of Endometriosis at the age of 17!

I was the one

who had terrible skin conditions:

Acnes cysts, that needed to be sliced open, drained and injected

by the Dermatologist

I was the one

who suffered from constant re-occuring Yeast Infections

and was constantly put on Diflucan to cure them

but they never went away for good...

I was the one

who missed tons of days of work from stomach upset

and my chronic digestive illness

I was the one

who began having stomach attacks that would last anywhere from

8-16 hours

They would begin by me being awakened from severe cramps, abdominal pain, cramps, burning, nausea, projectile vomitting, diarrhea,

Superfood Saturday- PANCAKES! Grain-Free, Wheat-Free

There has been quite a BUZZ around these pancakes ever since I discovered the recipe on the back of the Quinoa Flour box!  I have made some simple substitutions, and you can feel free to do the same.  In our home we are mainly Gluten-Free and we were Dairy-Free for the past 3 years but then we started adding in RAW cow's dairy into our diets.  I'm still processing it and seeing how/if it's affecting my health.  I'll get back to you on that one, but you can still substitute the milk with Hemp milk, Coconut Milk or Almond milk and it should work.

When I do make these pancakes I'm sure to double and triple this recipe and then freeze these for the week!  Just pop into your toaster or toaster-oven and heat up!  A NO-COOK, Healthy, Superfood breakfast in minutes!   Enjoy! Please post any Additions or Substitutions in the comments below so that we can all benefit.

Wheat Free Pancakes:

1/3 cup quinoa flour
1/3 cup flaxmeal
1/3 cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
1 tbs organic sugar (or raw honey)
1/2 tsp Sea Salt

3 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp aluminum-free baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup of Raw milk (or dairy-free options)
1 Pasture-Raised EGG

Mix together the dry ingredients first and then add the milk, egg, and oil.  Pour small amounts onto your (Stainless Steel) pan (please NO non-stick, toxic pans otherwise you're defeating the Benefits of this meal).  Turn the pancakes as soon as they have bubbled but before the bubble breaks.

• If you'd like more recipes like this for you family and your loved ones, please subscribe, visit my website www.momscoachforlife.com 
• join me every Monday, for MomsCoachforLifeTV
• join our tribes on Facebook and Twitter

I also offer one-on-one Private Health Coaching Packages for Moms.  If you'd like to schedule a complimentary, 30 minute "Disease Proof my Family" Discovery Session, please contact me now.




Yours in Holistic Mommyhood,
Christine

Your Green-Mama Guru

Busy Moms Beginner Cleanse!

Simple Busy Moms Cleanse

Begins July 10th to July 16th

Interested in doing a Cleanse but have no clue where to start?

Too busy to make time to do a cleanse on your own?

Worried that you won't have the energy to carry on with your daily routines if you do try a cleanse?

And really, what is a cleanse anyway?

~ A cleanse involves a temporary change to your diet and lifestyle that will assist your body in eliminating toxins and mucous through the colon, liver, kidneys, lymph, lungs and skin which helps bring the body back into Balance. Spring is the time of the liver in Chinese medicine, and therefore the ideal time for a cleanse.

The Simple Cleanse for Busy Moms, is very much like the spring cleaning that takes place in your home. It's time to:

- Declutter: get rid of those extra pounds we put on during the holidays, and snow days that we spent baking cookies (eating them throughout the weeks and watching movies!) Get your body ready for summer clothing where MORE skin is exposed!

- Deep Cleaning: Break out all your Cleaning Supplies- FOOD that will lubricate, get things moving, get rid of the junk, clean the walls (intestines), windows (eyes), and air vents (Lungs, nasal passageways, sinuses/allergies). Don't forget to clean the chimney to get rid of that Mental Fog, and Afternoon Slump you've been having where you find yourself experiencing major Cravings!!! Bye, Bye Sugar, Caffeine and Processed Junk Food.

- Polish and Shine: Restore your appearance: Eyes will become brighter! Say goodbye to Dry Skin, Dark Circles, and Acne and H-E-L-L-O to Radiant skin, and Lustrous Hair that will have you feeling HAPPY, HOT & Healthy!!

- Bring Peace and Renewal to your Home & Family through the peace and renewal of your own Temple. And have tons of ENERGY to actually get all your Household Spring Cleaning done! That's just an added Bonus.

What will I receive? You'll receive a 20 Page Booklet to your inbox, which will include:

# 1 A complete Cleanse Protocol - Everything you need to know about sticking to a cleanse, instructions, procedures and which self-care items to purchase and how to use them. Complete with recommended Detox Teas, Detox Baths and Detox drinks. This is the entire FORMULA for a Successful Detox! ($127)

# 2 50 Min GET BUSY Teleseminar, and a Getting Started checklist. ($75)

# 3 7-Day Meal Planner filled in with ALL of your MEALS, Snacks & Drinks! Easy, right? ($27)

#4 SUPER Recipes - Super Smoothies, Healthy Recipes, Snacks & Drinks ($47)

# 5 Completely Categorized - Food Shopping List ($15)

# 6 Access to our VIP Facebook Page where you'll receive daily inspirations, group support, Instant Communication for Q & A and Group Coaching from ME! (Priceless!)

I added up the total cost, so you could see exactly what you're getting and it came out to be over $300. If I charged that price I wouldn't be able to serve as many people in leading healthier lives because of the fear to invest in themselves.

Although, I do know many moms that get weekly manicures, pedicures or spend hundreds of dollars on their hair and toiletries, but what are they doing to improve their Health?

Isn't it time you gave yourself the gift of health? So your investment in your Health is only $97….

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? This is the last time this cleanse will be offered at such a low rate! If you don't join us for our next cleanse on July 10th, you will see the prices go up!

Pre-Register for the next Cleanse by June 26th and receive 25% off!

Contact me today Christine@momscoachforlife.com

Hum, Hum, HUMMUS!!!!

For anyone struggling with healthy snack ideas for the kids, Hummus is a great place to start. I tested this out on my public school students who are not used to eating "Healthy" snacks while at school. In fact, most of the time Donuts, cookies and cupcakes are brought in to share. And then you have the "everyday" snacks that they get from the vending machines, which include Doritos, Cookies, Chips and pretzels.

So today, I created a presentation of "HUMMUS BOATS!" It was an idea I received last night from my friend Dawne. It's very simple to do and makes for lots of great conversations! Simply cut a Red Bell Pepper in half, and fill the cavity with Homemade Hummus. Then add sliced carrot sticks for Oars, Organic Pretzels for the Pier, Cucumber slices for pads, raisins for people and serve on a bed of Kale!!! Sound yummy? They thought it was. They used the veggies to scoop out the hummus, and then we cut up the red peppers so that each student had a slice. I couldn't believe how fast it all went and just how much they enjoyed it! Mission Accomplished!!

Here's the recipe for Homemade Hummus:

4 cloves of Fresh Garlic (finely chopped)

15 ounces of Organic Garbanzo Beans (Soaked overnight and cooked for approx 1 hr)

2 Tablespoons of "Organic Tahini" by Once Again

1/4-1/2 cup of filtered water

2 tablespoons of Freshly squeezed Organic Lemon Juice

1/2 tsp gluten free, Organic Tamari, or Soy Sauce

1/2 tsp of Organic Cumin

1/4 tsp of Organic Ground Coriander

a dash of Cayenne pepper

Optional: 1 Tablespoon of finely chopped parsley

Add all the above ingredients to a High Powered Blender, and blend until creamy! You can eat warm or chill in the fridge for an hour. When taking out of the fridge, allow the hummus to thaw until it reaches room temperature.

Kale Chips

Many Mamas want to know how to get "greens" into their kids' diet? Well, a tried and true way to do this is by purchasing Organic Greens and making them into a yummy, crunchy chip? Interested in trying this simple idea out on our kiddies? Okay, but if you try out the recipe you must report back and let us know how it went. Deal? Great!!! Here's the recipe I use the most, but there are many other varieties for making Kale chips. This is quick and easy for a full-time working mom! Enjoy!

Prep Time:	10minutes
Cooking Time:	10 minutes
Yields:	10 servings or more
Ingredients:	1 to 2 bunches kale Olive Oil
Directions:	1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 2. Remove kale from stalk, leaving the greens in large pieces. 3. Place a little olive oil in a bowl, 4. Dip your fingers and rub a very light coat of oil over the kale. 5. Place kale on baking sheet 6. Bake for 5 minutes or until it starts to turn a bit brown. 7. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly. 8. Turn the kale over and bake with the other side up. 9. Remove and serve
Notes:	Try different kinds of kale or collard greens. For added flavor sprinkle with a little salt or spice, such as curry or cumin after rubbing on olive oil. For an extra nutrition boost, try adding Nutritional Yeast Flakes!

More recipes

Lately I've definitely gotten more daring with my recipes. I'm finally at a place where I can substitute ingredients for others! This is a huge milestone for me, as a cook. It's also been an eye-opener as I've started to cook LESS meat and MORE veggies, that meat, in my house, has now become the minority ingredient. Seriously? I can't believe it considering just a little over a year ago I was still preparing the typical Meat, Starch, & Veggie dinners.

It's exciting that there is a whole other world out there that I'm still discovering. Today I'm sharing a few of my newest "non-meat" recipes. As always, let me know what you tried, what you liked, and what you trashed! =)

Cilantro Lemon Cod

Garlic Shrimp Pasta