Herbal Tonics for Pregnancy

Following the amazing birth of Oskar, Dan thought I should write down everything I did while pregnant and spread the word, in the hope that it would help other women have beautiful birth experiences.

One thing that Dan helped me do throughout my pregnancy was to take herbal infusions of stinging nettle and red raspberry leaf often.

Stinging nettles infusions are great any time, and I had taken them for an overall boost to my stamina and to improve my sleep on the advice of my friend and fellow acupuncturist Therese.

Red raspberry leaf is a uterine tonic. Labor, as my midwife Kristen put it, is the process the uterus undertakes to organize itself for birth.

Here is how he made them:

We purchased them at Jean's Greens.

NETTLE LF (Urtica dioica) c/s (o)
1-8 oz. . . . $1.29/oz
9-15 oz. . . . $1.14/oz
1 lb. . . . $16.70/lb

RED RASPBERRY LEAF (Rubus ideaus) c/s (o)
1-8 oz. . . . $1.14/oz
9-15 oz. . . . $0.99/oz
1 lb. . . . $14.30/lb

Other things you need:

One Quart Glass Jar (we use a wide mouth mason jar)
Boiling Water

Steep one cup of dried herbs in a one quart jar filled with boiling water.
Cover and steep for 4-10 hours.
Strain.

Drink daily.

Refrigerate to store, and warm up to enjoy.

Here is a lovely instructional video from the magical Susun Weed:

Candle Magic

The moon is renewed on Sunday, a good time for a little candle magic to bring things into your life as the moon waxes and gains strength.

Spend some time meditating on what you would like to manifest, and let your meditation guide and inspire you as you carve images, words, lines into a seven day candle. Set your intention, and light the candle. Let it burn down continuously, knowing that when the candle is consumed, you have finished casting your spell.

A seven day candle is a large candle housed in glass.

Please keep safety in mind when performing this ritual.

Creme de Rose

Creme de Rose by Simply Divine Botanicals. It's the most beautiful face product I have ever experienced. The first listed ingredients are: Unconditional Love and Gratitude.

Dan and the Cuy in Cusco

A memorable meal in Cusco, Peru. Another of the most magical places on earth.

Magic Chicken Soup

Magic Chicken Soup.

As soon as you start to feel sick, get yourself to the grocery and purchase:

One Whole Free Range Chicken
One Large Onion
One Head Garlic
One Knob Ginger
One Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Handful Chopped Spring Onion

Rinse the Chicken
Peel the Onion, Garlic, and Ginger
Throw all in a pot and cover with Water
Simmer for Several Hours, until Chicken starts Falling Apart
Fish out Bones and Skin and Random Crunchy Parts
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Garnish with Fresh Chopped Spring Onion

Eat up.

(Gorgeous Photo from: http://37signals.com/svn/posts/220-chicken-portraits & From The Fairest Fowl: Portraits of Championship Chickens by photographer Tamara Staples)