Updates!

I start so many things and don't remember to let my blog readers know the progress or outcome. Very bad!

I am now almost seven months pregnant. I feel the baby kick, move and do daily P90X exercises probably 400 times a day. We don't know the sex - this has proven to be very exciting! I'm really happy that Calvin made that call and encouraged me not to find out because had I, we would have only the joy of a nicely coloured room and wardrobe and none of the joy of the excitement of not knowing. It seems like a small thing, and dull in comparison to the rush of seeing your baby for the first time, knowing they are healthy, etc. but I promise that the "it's a boy" or "it's a girl" moment is right up there is anticipation for both of us. We have some baby showers lined up which is great and we're putting together lists of what we want and need. We know for sure we'll be breast feeding, if all goes well. For that I'll be taking New Roots Mama Milk tincture and probably a daily tea of various herbs. (I'll also be taking red raspberry tea starting soon to help with uterine muscle toning.) We are still so undecided about vaccination because new pros and cons come up every day. Minor ones like chicken pox are a no brainer - my child doesn't need a needle to protect it from a few itchy bumps. But ones that impact the ability to attend school, and travel, are trickier.

My garden is growing and wonderful. I have a planter box attached to my deck of beautiful herbs, and another planter box that I call the salad box, which has various edible microgreens including spinach. Then there's a ground planter of mint (can be invasive, not going to put it in the ground for fear it'll take over) and a planter of cherry tomatoes so that I can grab them nice and quick right outside the sliding glass door. The main plot has a flower section (lilac and sunflowers), the berry forest (strawberries, raspberries and a cedar) and the veggie plot which has tomatoes, onions, carrots, zucchini, cucumber, corn, beans, squash, pumpkin, kale, broccoli, peppers and eggplant. I might be forgetting something but I think I have it all, short of an orchid in my front entrance.

I am exactly half way through my school courses. Two down, two to go. It is very interesting and definitely preparing me for wherever natural nutrition will take me, career-wise.

I will finish off with a "recipe" for a nice warm-weather drink, one that I am enjoying right now. You typically see recipes for whole pitchers of beverages but when you just want a cup for you here's an easy way to do it.

Mint Lemonade

In a heat proof glass or mug, mix 6 fresh mint leaves with 1/2 cup boiling water. Let sit for 2 minutes.
Add 10 drops stevia extract.
Add 2 T lemon juice.
Fill the glass or mug to the top with ice and drink, making sure not to swallow any mint.

Botanicals for Skincare

Typically my skin care routine won't make it much past scrubbing a bar of chamomile soap on my face in the shower, but once in a while talk of using plants for complexion really excites me. Here are some flowers that should make their way into your daily regime:

Cornflower
A homemade poultice* of this blue flower can soothe puffy eyes. It is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, can relieve eye strain, and is used by practitioners as an eyewash for conjunctivitis. *A poultice is a mashed up paste that is applied directly to skin.

Daffodil
An extract found in this flower can end the cycle of dry skin by slowing new cell production. If your skin doesn't have enough time to develop nice, hydrated cells it will result in dryness and quick aging. Using this hydration technique can protect against UV ray, and free radical damage.

Echinacea
It may help you avoid a cold, but its wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and bacteria killing properties are excellent for skin too. Native Americans have been using it for years and now science shows that it can be effective against many skin conditions, especially acne. One substance rich in this flower can assist fibroblasts in creating skin-smoothing collagen.

Evening Primrose
The oil from this flower can ease itching, dryness and scaliness. This comes from the high levels of essential fatty acids that the plant boasts.

Feverfew
As the name suggests, its most famous use is as a fever-reducer, but this flower can also reduce redness in sensitive or aging skin. It decreases irritation and calms skin that has been sun burned. You can even apply an infusion to prevent damage.

Rose

If you've heard of any skin applications for flowers, it's probably this one. Studies continue to prove that its use results in smooth, fresh-looking, spot-free skin. The oil, containing retinoic acid, has rejuvenatory powers. It contains vitamin C, an antioxidant, so besides decreasing fine lines, puffiness and sagging, you'll get an added free radical fighting boost.