It’s that time of year again, barbeques, beaches and outdoor social gatherings! This time around though may be different for you. If you are either pregnant or breastfeeding, you are refraining from those summer cocktails, spritzers and cold brews. What’s a woman to do when it’s hot outside, she’s pregnant or breastfeeding and she wants to still enjoy a refreshing lively drink outdoors?

Well, Earth Mama Angel Baby has the solution! Not only is this wonderful company the only one to have a complete line of 100% natural, herbal, toxin-free skin and body care products to help ease the common discomforts of the entire process of birth, but they also have a collection of 100% organic teas to support both women in their pre-natal , breastfeeding and postpartum stages. Of course these yummy teas can be used traditionally, served hot, but the team over at Earth Mama Angel Baby has some wonderful recipes that can also be chilled as Iced-Tea. Try these refreshing recipes at your next barbeque, baby shower or on those weekend beach get-aways:

PRENATAL RECIPE:

BREASTFEEDING RECIPE:

POSTPARTUM RECIPE:

Make sure to check out all of their different teas!

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Though one would assume it to be, there are not many published reports that clinically validate the benefits of eating organic foods during pregnancy. The intuitive lifestyle has been growing primarily because moms-to-be want the purest and healthiest foods possible to help ensure a healthy baby. Now, The Organic Center (TOC), an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3), have taken the much needed steps of converting what many have already figured into a tangible report. In the medical and scientific world, theories and hunches do not mean a thing until it can be clinically proven or documented.

As a result of over 150 scientific studies, The Organic Center have concluded that a balanced organic diet before and during pregnancy directly benefits childhood development. Such a lifestyle can significantly reduce childhood obesity and the development of diabetes. As well TOC’s report revealed that exposure to pesticides used to grow non-organic food during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, low-birth weight, and neurological problems.

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Click here to read more about the report. All of TOC’s publications, consumer guides and videos are available free of charge on their website as well. The organization’s mission is to advance scientific research on the health and environmental benefits of organic foods, and to communicate those benefits to the public.

As I am glad that such concrete information and reports now exist, I still want to emphasis, that it is still important to research the companies that stamp their products with the organic logo. With the growing demand for organic foods and the less than stringent regulations provided by the FDA up to this point, there are several companies who pose as charlatans and misuse the organic symbol and/or brand their product to appear to be the most pure, when in fact it is not. Check out this startling article regarding some brands of both Organic Soy and Dairy milk.

A little bit of research and intuition are the only sure things you can rely on to make the right food choices for you and your family. After reading the labels, you should be able to comprehend the ingredients. The more simple, whole and real the ingredients are, the better. After reading about the company, whether it be on-line, on the package or through word of mouth, you should feel comfortable about the source and comfortable about your purchase. Do not solely rely on the design of the packaging and the Organic logo alone before you make a purchase. Remember that ultimately, design agencies are paid big bucks to make consumers purchase. Make sure the companies’ ingredients, mission and practices match, if not supersede, the initial visual impact of the design of their packaging.

Wee Gallery carries (6) different collections of Wall Graphics for your baby’s nursery. They are all made from eco-friendly polypropylene and are self-adhesive. The removable wall art and can be repositioned with no damage your walls. With these imaginative wall accents, you can eliminate the need for that fresh new coat of paint. It is quicker to install and adds a lot more character to your space than a single solid plane of color. Each pack cost $38 but each set contains a different number of pieces depending on the scheme.

Global brand Huggies has just released its new Pure & Natural Diaper line. The diapers come in 5 stages starting at infancy. They are hypoallergenic, latex and fragrance free and feature a breathable outer cover that includes organic cotton. Robert Thibault, president of Kimberly-Clark’s North American Infant, Baby & Child Care business (parents of Huggies) was quoted:

“This innovative Huggies brand diaper offers delicate protection for baby, along with the increased use of renewable materials, ushering into the category a new disposable diaper that delivers the utmost in performance and care along with steps toward environmental improvements”.

The diapers are not compostable or made from fast degrading natural resources like Nature Babycare or G-Diapers, but at least this release is a big push towards the fight to provide more eco-friendly accessible parenting options. It sure is a step in a positive direction as opposed to the traditional petroleum based main-stream diaper. Franklin Associates and the American Petroleum Institute report that 3.5 billion gallons of oil are used to produce the 18 million throwaway diapers that end up in landfills each year. I think its better to have a piece of natural cotton in a landfill to break down verses oil. Plus, cotton allows for your baby’s skin to breathe.

I have yet to speak with mothers who have used the diapers, but I notice that the website is giving away free samples. So head on over to the site and sign up to receive your sample today. Or, just keep an eye out for them at your local retail outlet. Make sure to send your comments and experiences back to the Green Doula. Your testimonials help other parents.

Acclaimed retired midwife of over 28 years and author Valerie El Halta has been quoted to say,

‘Women today not only possess genetic memory of birth from a thousand generations of women, but they are also assailed from every direction by information and misinformation about birth.” Valerie El Halta.

I have always been fascinated to hear many women share their “secret” thoughts & dreams about the ocean, dolphins, mermaids & other aquatic references during pregnancy, birth and the ebbs of their menses. Often when they share these lucid journeys, their body language retracts into a state of uncertainty, as if their dreams are juvenile or thoughts to be mocked. Some share such dreams and thoughts in such an descriptive way, it is as if they were rendering a familiar ballet in your mind. If only women owned these thoughts as genetic, sacred memories are shared such thought with other women more often. What types of connections would be re-established between the mind, body, and community of women. Could guided mediation inspired by the ocean help more women during their labor?

Before the hospitals and before the concept of water pollution, many women in the past have birthed in the oceans and pools of waters. There are many stories of such hidden in the chapters of history. Researchers have found in Minoan ruins, Art frescos with depictions of dolphins and their unique connections with water and humans. I discovered one of my favorite water birth stories in Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N. Here is an expert:

“ The Chumash Indians of the Central California Coast tell stories about their women laboring in tide pools and shallow inlets along the beach while men of the tribe drummed and chanted…..Dolphins would appear nearby in the water, staying close to the woman until the baby was born.”

Russian male midwife, Igor Charkovsky, is known for helping pregnant women give birth underwater in the Black Sea ‘aided’ by dolphins. In Peru, in 2005, a study was conducted on prenatal dolphin therapy. It is referenced quite often that many women find it helpful to visualize their contractions as ebbs and flows just like the tides of the ocean or listens to aquatic sounds during labor. Women report that birthing in a birth pool or even just standing in the shower during labor soothes and alleviates the various sensations and pressures in their bodies.

There are several videos and books that capture the water births in a beautiful light if you would like to learn more. If you your self have a wonderful water story to share that relates to this topic, please do so.

Eli Manning became a rock star in my eyes when he lead the NY Giants to their Superbowl win in 2008. Now, I will be calling him a hero.

Eli Manning and his wife Abby announced today their undisclosed donation for the new state-of-the-art $10 million dollar Eli and Abby Manning Birthing Center at St. Vincent’s. The couple, who currently do not have any children, told the Daily News, “”We wanted to make it a special place to bring new life into the world… For Abby and I, it’s about being part of that, to make sure all the parents have a comfortable experience.”

The center will focus on natural childbirth and holistic care such as acupuncture and is slated to take five-years to complete. This renovation of St. Vincent’s existing obstetrics unit into a state-of-the-art Birthing Center will connect the sciences & compassion. St. Vincent’s has a strong tradition of midwifery, natural childbirth and holistic care. It also has one of the lowest C-section rates in the city. Thom Filicia of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” will be designing the upgrades to the patient rooms, waiting areas and postpartum suites .

The hospital will be holding a Baby Ball at Cipriani,Wall Street on June 18th to raise funds for the center as well. Click here for more information on the event and stay tuned for more information about the new center.

This is very inspiring to see such change in Manhattan.

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