Cleansed by the Blood

I finally paged my midwife around 5:30 pm yesterday.

Around 6 pm the bleeding picked up and the cramping got pretty intense. I started passing very large blood clots and then large pieces of placenta (I liked to call liver). This continued on till about 2 am this morning. I kept on trying to see if the baby came out.

After I dropped the kids of at Homeschool Coop this morning, I came back home and went to the bathroom. In my opinion, the fetus came out. It was a little bigger than the last one and not as "discriminately" fetus looking. I did take a picture.

The cramping immediately subsided and the bleeding slowed way down. I feel much better now. I'm wearing my tight blue jeans and looking forward to exercising aggressively again.

What could God be doing in all this?

Well, I am definitely humbled and can understand how someone feels who has had multiple miscarriages.

And my husband has agreed to go Raw for 30 days after the holidays (around Jan. 15th) so that we can try to get his contribution healthier. No coffee, no alcohol, no cell phone in pants pocket.

I am placing an order with Natural Zing tomorrow for some Maca and Hemp seeds. Maca is supposed to be very beneficial for Women and Men in fertility and libido. I recommend you read more about this and order some. I just stumbled upon it today! Could this be what I'm missing in my 100% raw diet? Hemp seeds are supposed to be the best source of protein and EFA's (omega 3, 6, 9).

So this could all have a purpose (we may never know) in getting the both of us healthier. It could save our lives!

I think I'm miscarrying

I started spotting a little on Saturday night. I've been in bed every since. The spotting has increased a little, but not as heavy as last time.

My dilemma is: is it really over? and should I get a D&C? When?

I haven't called my midwives yet...I just can't get myself to say it out loud!

I look in the mirror and see my once protruding tummy is now completely flat. It makes me angry to see how skinny I look again.

My husband said, "May be God's trying to tell you that two kids are enough."

I can't help but think that it wasn't worth telling people (as few as it maybe) early, so that they could pray.

Next time (if there is a next time), I'll wait till 12 weeks and I see a heart beat. I'm not even going to buy a pregnancy test at CVS! And I'm not having a Midwife appointment till 12 weeks! I'm going to pretend I'm not pregnant. So don't even ask me, "How's it going? Are you pregnant again?" I'm going to LIE and say, "NO, not that I know of!"

Nine Weeks and Three Blood Tests Later

Today I should be nine weeks.

The midwife office followed up with me today.

My last blood test was a week ago Monday. They told me the results on Wednesday that HCG and Progesterone was down. The nurse sounded very surprised that I wasn't spotting yet.

Today the nurse told me what my options are: 1. Wait and see if my body knows it's supposed to miscarry, 2. Surgical D&C, or 3. A pill to bring on contractions and help my body to miscarry.

I was surprised and asked, "So you are saying that right now you feel comfortable with doing a D&C?" She said yes, that they definitely don't see that this could be a viable pregnancy.

She wants me to at least come in for a blood test again. I told her I would rather just wait till my next appointment in three weeks on 12/23 when I'm 12 weeks and maybe they can do a sonogram and blood test then.

That's when she told me that my appointment had already been canceled! (but she can put me back down). That shows how much they think this is over!

They could be right, but I'm waiting on God. If I miscarry, I miscarry. Why should I worry about it now when I've had no spotting/bleeding? The nurse said it is possible to have miscarried and have not spotted. But it's not likely that I would never spot.

So I'm waiting for that to happen before I do anymore tests before my next appointment. The nurse said she will have the Midwife, Paula, call me.

This will be a great story if the baby is still okay!

HAPPY RAW Thanksgiving Recipes

Sweet Potato Pie











Mashed "Taters"
Cranberry Sauce
String Beans
Stuffing

HAPPY RAW Thanksgiving Recipes

Cranberry Sauce
2 C fresh cranberries
1 orange
1 apple
1 C dates
water for consistency
Blend together well or add extra orange and apple at the end, for some chunkiness.

mashed taters
1 cup cashews, soaked; 1 tsp rosemary
3 cups cauliflower; 1 Tbs lemon juice
1 small clove garlic
Blend all ingredients together well.


Pumpkin Spice Muffins
2 cups of butternut squash pulp (left over from juicer)
1 1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup pecans
1⁄ 8 cup water
3 tbs honey or agave
1.5 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
1/2 tps allspice or ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor. Form into mini-muffins using about 1 1/2 tsp of dough at a time. Top with a pecan and dehydrate for 15 hours at 110 degrees.

Variation: This would also be delicious non-dehydrated, as a pudding or filling for a pie.


Sweet Potato Pie
Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups pecans or walnuts, soaked overnight, then drained (let dry a bit on a paper towel)
* 4 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/2 cup dates, soaked for about 20 minutes
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon vanilla (this is not a raw product)or 1 vanilla bean
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup honey or raw agave

Directions

Put potatoes, 1/2 cup nuts, dates, cinnamon and vanilla in processor and puree till smooth.

Pour into a casserole dish.

In another bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup nuts with salt and honey, and sprinkle over the potato mixture.



Stuffing

The original recipe is from Matt Amsden's RAWvolution and is as
follows:

1 c soaked raw walnuts* - finely ground in food processor
1 c soaked raw pumpkin seeds* - finely ground in food processor
1 c soaked raw sunflower seeds* - finely ground in food
processor
1/3 c chopped yellow onion
3/4 c diced celery
1 c chopped mushrooms, briefly marinated in 1 or 2 Tbs Nama
Shoya (I used Wheat-Free Tamari and marinated for about a
minute)
2 Tbs olive oil
1/4 t sea salt (I used Sun Fire Salt)
1/2 t black pepper
1 1/2 t sage
1 1/2 t thyme
1 1/2 t kelp (I omitted this)

In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, mix well, and
serve.

*Soak the nuts and seeds in pure water for 2 to 4 hours, then
drain and dry.


I tweaked some of the ingredients as identified above, and also
added a touch more mushrooms and celery. I also added garnish
of mushrooms and parsley. I guess some those modifications and
tweaks kinda make it "my own", huh? **wink, wink** "By TINA"

Baby Shower Registry/RAW Food Delivery Service

A box of prepared, organic, raw foods that includes two savory soups, four gourmet entrées, four side dishes and two delicious desserts. $120. plus shipping.
www.rawvolution.com

Inconclusive Again

The Sonogram yesterday and the blood test were both inconclusive that everything's ok. The sono looks ok for a 6 wk pregnancy. All they could see is the yoke sac. The blood test showed only a slight rise in HCG and a slight decrease in Progesterone.

I'm going to have more blood drawn on Monday morning as I'm driving out of town. I'll know those results on Tuesday.

My dilemma right now is, do I tell some more people so that they can pray?

Blood Test

The results of my blood test yesterday look good. The levels of pregnancy hormones where normal. They were able to get me a sonogram appointment tomorrow and they want to test my blood again (48 hrs later) tomorrow to make sure my hormone levels aren't dropping (a sign of miscarriage).

I am very happy to hear these results today, but tomorrow's sonogram should be the most informative and on Friday I'll know the results of Thursday's blood test.

Yesterday, I was very tempted to fall of the wagon, just because I was upset emotionally. I'm very glad I didn't. No matter what happens, I need to not abuse my body by eating Junk food.

It's hard to not "let yourself go" when you get pregnant. It seems like the perfect opportunity to eat whatever you want. This leads to unnecessary weight gain. When it is actually a time that you should eat the best! It is a myth that you need to eat more calories. You need to eat more nutrients!

First Midwife Appt. at 7 wks

My appointment yesterday did not go well. I got an internal sonogram and she basically said she couldn't find anything. I did get upset after I left, but I'm trying to stay positive. Today I will find out the results of my blood test. The blood test will be more specific than the urine test (which was positive) telling us what are the levels of pregnancy hormones in my blood. They also suggested getting a full sonogram at a real center.

So it sounds like they think I've miscarried. But I can't understand why I wouldn't have had spotting already, if I miscarried.

Kelly's "Belated Bridal Shower" @ M&S Grill

I had I wonderful time today at Kelly's party, organized by Michelle. Chef Scott did a fantastic job with the food. He made me several raw dishes. I had a ton of fruit, a raw soup, fresh squeezed OJ, and guacamole burritos in romaine lettuce. Uhh, it was fabulous! Scott, there's a career for you in Raw Food!

Organic Skin care and oil free moisterizer

DID YOU KNOW? that our skin absorbs up to 64% of what we place on it? So, what we feed our skin should be organic, healthy, nutritious, paraben-free and naturally toxin-free.

I use this kit, it's an amazing deal and last a long time(also sold at FragranceX.com for $28. coupon code FREE for free shipping)

http://www.juicebeauty.com/za/JB?PAGE=PRODUCT&CAT=MAIN.KIT&PRODUCT.ID=350

There is also a clear skin formula for $39.
http://www.juicebeauty.com/za/JB?PAGE=PRODUCT&CAT=MAIN.KIT&PRODUCT.ID=361

We Do Not Have:

# Pesticides
# Petroleum or petroleum derivatives (propylene, butylene glycol)
# Toxic preservatives (parabens - methyl, butyl, or ethylparaben; dizaolidinyl or imadazolidinyl urea; formaldehyde)
# Harsh surfactants or sulfates (sodium or ammonium lauryl sulfate; cocamide dea/lauramide dea)
# Artificial colors or dyes
# Synthetic fragrances
# Phthalates or dibutyl phthalate
# Toluene

Check and see if your lotion and skin care contain these ingredients.

Bean Soup

I was cooking a meal for a new mom yesterday and had to salt and taste it. You know where I'm heading with this? Yes, I fell off the wagon...again.

Once again, being pregnant, I find it very easy to excuse myself for falling off. In fact, I am seriously considering being a less extreme 95% raw.

After falling off, I start thinking about all the foods I miss:
Indian food, vegetarian PHO soup, cream of wheat porridge with toast and butter.

Yet I know the only reason I'm thinking about these foods now, is because I fell off the wagon. I wasn't craving anything cooked before I tasted the bean soup. And I think it can be just as hard to try to be in moderation and eat 95% raw food.

The fact is I want to have a healthy pregnancy. But I guess, in the lifestyle that we have, I will always have some kind of challenge. The question is, what should I decide on ... and what do I tell others?

5 Weeks

My husband, Matthew, was having trouble believing that I'm pregnant. So today I went to CVS and bought a pregnancy test. It was positive. I believe it helps him to visually see the results form an "impartial 3rd party". So now he says he will help me out more and be more understanding.

Week Five

* First heartbeats begin - If you have an early ultrasound you may not be able to recognize this tiny being as a baby, but there is no mistaking what it feels like seeing your child's heartbeat on that screen. That rhythmic beat is echoed in your own heart.
* Umbilical cord develops - This is your baby's lifeline in utero. It bears the responsibility of pumping in oxygen, removing waste, and supplying the necessary nutrients for the remainder of your pregnancy.
* Blood is now pumping - All four heart chambers are now functioning, insuring your baby's body will receive all it needs over not only the remainder of your pregnancy but throughout life.
* Most other organs begin to develop - Your infant's lungs start to appear, along with her brain. Already your little one is preparing for a quest for lifelong learning!
* Arm and leg buds appear - While they may not appear to be much at this stage it is ok to dream of the future. Just imagine your ballerina twirling and jumping around your kitchen floor. Or perhaps you will have the precocious boy that throws the perfect pitch -- right through the neighbor's window.

http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment1.php

Michelle's Baby Shower

We all had a great time at Michelle's Baby Shower yesterday!
The most memorable moment is the breast feeding story that Cindy told. The visual image of that coworker walking in on her using the breast pump at her desk; and the noise the electric pump makes.

I learned a great tip yesterday. Register for everything you could possibly want at Babies R Us, because for one year you can buy anything left on your registry for 10% off.

Also, to win the "circumference of the momma's belly" game, guess low because everyone over estimates!

Maria won most of the games and took home some great gifts.

I made some great raw food dishes which amazed everyone.

Hopefully

Well, today is the 31st day of my cycle and I think I'm pregnant. It could still be a false alarm, so I'm not telling anyone yet.

It's always so hard to not tell anyone. I don't know how people wait three months. But with my last miscarriage, I think I'll wait till I have my first midwife appointment; around eight weeks. Now I'm only four.

And remembering my last miscarriage, I vow to not fall off the wagon again!
I'm focused on eating right, making sure I get a balance raw diet.

That includes varying the greens I put in my smoothie. One week I'll buy spinach, next kale, next collard, etc. I also like romaine salads with bean sprouts and a lot of other veggies (mushrooms, peppers, onions).

Here is my list of things I want to remember to eat at least weekly:

Spirulina
Raw Oats
Kim Chee or sourcroute
Kefir
Sprouts
Coconut oil
Avocado
Flax seeds
Chocolate
Almond milk
Carrot Juice

I'm sure there could be other things that are important during a raw pregnancy. I'm very open to adding to this list. This list provides omega fatty acids, B12 and other vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates (whole foods). And like I said before, it's not the only things I eat, just the list of things I don't want to forget to eat every week.

Water Kefir

http://www.weim.net/homeovet/Docs/water%20kefir.pdf

I have noticed that since I've been drinking Kefir daily, I'm absorbing more nutrients. My bowel movements have been better formed. In contrast, a 100% raw diet can be a little looser than what is normal for someone. This can be a good thing for those that complain about constipation. But for me, I never had that problem. I feel better, whole, more complete in my nutrition. Being 100% raw, I would sometimes worry that I wasn't getting all the nutrition I need...especially during a pregnancy! But now I have a greater feeling of wellness.

Man loses 200 pounds on raw diet, cures type 2 diabetes

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081007/LIFE/810070308

One reason to eat raw food

I think we all usually forget to mention one particularly important reason we eat raw food...It tastes BETTER!!!

How could we make a commitment to eating raw food if it didn't taste terrific. One thing "falling of the wagon" has always taught me, is that it wasn't worth it. Cooked food doesn't taste that great. Sure it smells great...but I think a lot of the flavor floats away in the aroma.

Raw food is the best tasting food I have ever tasted (thanks to the meetup group).

CNN interview

Angela Stokes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk4sw_rYucg

Lead in Vitamins

The FDA studied a few hundred Women's and Children's vitamins and found lead in almost all of them. Here is the info:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/lead-in-vitamins.php

Myrtle Beach

We are back from Myrtle Beach. I survived another vacation 100% raw!

There was a fridge in our room. We went grocery shopping. I brought my blender and made green smoothies and sorbets. I ate more salads and had my own raw salad dressing. I bought some guacamole from Moe's.

I survived a road trip and feel and look really good. Isn't it nice to come home from vacation fit and healthy!

RE: Temptations

When I was at the Gym on Friday, I was pondering how great I was feeling! Then I asked myself, "What day is it?" It was the 22nd of August. I suddenly remembered that at the end of July, I feel of the wagon one day. I had contemplated the temptation for cooked food and resolved to start August 1, 100% raw. I've known that the ability to resist temptation will increase if I could just get over that 20 day mark. And this last Friday I realized why I've been feeling so great and not the least bit tempted! (Not having to cook for my family anymore helps!)

A delicious potluck today!

We had a wonderful time today hosting a raw food potluck. It was #5. Here's my favorite recipe today:

Garlicky Bread (I think it should be called "Pizza")
from The Raw Transformation by Wendy Rudell

1 Jicama
1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, minced
1 diced tomato, strained
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
Celtic sea salt, 1 tsp
1/3 c olive oil
Fresh oregano or basil, minced (she used basil)

Slice jicama no more than 1/4 inch thick. The thinner the better. Dice tomatoes and strain the juice from them by pressing with in a sieve. Mix all the other ingredients together and spread on top of the jicama. Dehydrate on the plastic trays in the dehydrator for 10 hours or until nice and chewy.

(I would use less garlic and more tomatoes.)

No more cooking!

As a family, we've made a commitment that I will not cook at home anymore.

The number one temptation to eat cooked food was because I was cooking and needed to taste what I made. For example, beans. I have to add salt and taste it before giving it to the kids.

So now I am making a raw dish every night for dinner. It is an interesting challenge to think of something raw to make everyday, but I am enjoying the challenge.

My husband, Matthew, has enjoyed the dishes, Eleanor as well. Jordan likes to complain, but he used to complain about my cooked dishes as well.

On Monday, "stir fry" broccoli with cilantro in dehydrator. On Tuesday, raw corn salad with mango. On Wednesday, pine nuts and kale pate. On Thursday, Bruschetta with avocado.

Matthew's cholesterol was recently high. He was tested after being in Guatemala for the mission trip. Eight days of all meat and no raw food. After a month, he's going to try to get tested again. All ready he's lost about 4 lbs.

My mother brought over some left over little bags of chips from her office yesterday. Dorritos, Cheetos, Baked Lays, etc.

The switcheroo...
Last night I saw that Matt had packed a snack bag to take to work today. Inside were, not one, but two little bags of cheetos. Now, cheetos are Jordan's favorite...and Matt is supposed to be eating healthier. So I, unbeknownst to him, made a switch. At work today, he looked in his bag and was surprised to see Baked Lays! The difference was about 20 grams of fat.

I love you Honey!

"Junk Food Vegetarian/Vegan"

It's easy to be a junk food vegetarian and even a vegan. In this day and age, there are a variety of processed foods to ease the transition to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Consume to much of these foods and it can be debated if you made any beneficial change at all.

Veggie dogs, chick nuggets and soy ice cream can provide protein but no fiber and unwanted fat. It is now a major topic of debate, weather soy products are healthy for you, and many are choosing to back away from the soy.

A raw food diet is a night and day difference from most vegetarian/vegan diets. It was so life changing to experience the varieties of tastes and the feeling of wellness I experienced when I visited my first raw food potluck over a year ago. It motivated me to read more about raw foods. I discovered that I knew nothing about raw food. So I continued to go to the potlucks, read several books on the topic, and try to make more raw foods at home. Then after a feast of a holiday, in January, I made a decision to be 100% raw. And even though I fell off the wagon a couple times, it fuels my motivation to be 100% raw.

Why? Because nothing feels better.

The Cell Tolls for Thee

This is scary...

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100211877&page=1

"Pregnant women need to take precautions too, because a recent study found that cell-phone use while pregnant is linked to behavioral problems in children."

Vegetable Oil

Quote from http://www.rawfoodlife.com/

THE RAW TRUTH
What the Food Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
"Twenty years ago I read a study about the analysis of cholesterol in the arteries of people who died of coronary artery disease. It turned out that much of the gunk lining these arteries wasn’t cholesterol at all - it was Crisco - hydrogenated vegetable oil."


Quote from http://www.jctonic.com/include/healingcrisis/20rancid_oils.htm

Rancid Oils
"I recommend that if you have any polyunsaturated vegetable oils (corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, etc.) in your home that you throw them out. Don't even consider using them; get rid of them now. Throw away salad dressings made with these oils as well."

I love stuff for Free! But Free Radicals, I'll pass. I've been hearing a lot about cholesterol not being the cause of heart disease and how substituting with vegetable oil is worse. Here is one major switch in my house I've made:

My husband is the king of popcorn. He makes it in a pan with vegetable oil. Sometimes the fumes from the pan catch me and makes me cough and my eyes tear.
So instead we are using the air popper and topping it with melted organic butter. A vegan could top it with melted coconut oil or olive oil and salt. I don't eat it, because it's not raw food, but I think this is a healthier choice. I am not buying vegetable oil anymore. Only expeller pressed, cold pressed, virgin oils.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-expeller-pressed-oil.htm

More info on expeller pressed oil.

Toxins

Quote from http://vegfamily.com/earthtalk/autism-causes.htm

"Some researchers are focusing on the role of food in a young child's development. Many autistic children suffer from digestive diseases or have genetic dispositions rendering them unable to naturally rid their bodies of toxins. As such, exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, contaminated water and even processed food could have a devastating cumulative effect, some researchers think. According to Brian MacFabe, a researcher at the University of Western Ontario who has studied autism triggers in rats, simple changes such as removing wheat and dairy from the diet could potentially bring about improvements."

One of the goals of a raw food diet is to arm your body with the ability to defend it self from toxins and germs. How often do you catch a cold or the flu? How long does your colds last?

Temptations

There is no doubt that I get tempted to eat cooked food. Sometimes that temptation is strong and sometimes it's very week.

Strong temptations occur when you are not 100% raw, recently "fell off the wagon", are in the presence of cooked food, etc.

Temptations are much weaker when you are not around cooked food and have been 100% raw for over a week. Most people say that it takes 20 days to develop a habit. It gets so much easier to stay 100% at that point. But what gets you is when you think you can taste cooked food or have a little bite and then walk away. It gets you and pulls you in.

Some critique of the 100% raw diet, is that you are more likely to fall of the wagon and binge. I agree. But is the risk of binging worst than the risk of not eating enough raw food in your diet? I think, if you know something is not healthy for you, you shouldn't plan on eating it. A drug addict doesn't say to himself, "I don't want to fall of the wagon in a big way, so I'll make sure I take a little drugs everyday."

Cooked food is addictive and not healthy. Get support, talk to someone that has experience, don't hide. Have raw food always handy for those attacks. Nuts, seeds and dried fruit are great to have handy. Fresh Guacamole at "Moe's" or "Chipotle" are great places to get your fix of raw food when you're out.

I've learned that I feel great and look great when I'm 100% raw, why would I want anything less?

All Body Fat Is Not the Same

Quote

All Body Fat Is Not the Same - MSN Health & Fitness - Cancer
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100211392>1=31025&vv=550

Raw Cashews

"Raw Cashews" you buy in the store are not Raw.

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/rawcashew.html

Thai Coconuts

There is nothing like a young coconut, fresh off the tree in Jamaica!

I found this on rawmodel.com:

Most Thai coconuts that you are finding in the US are:
1. shipped across the globe (think of the magic and vitality that fades away after all that time)
2. they are dipped in fungicides, and I would think that anyone reading this is on a mental level where they would consciously avoid all "cides" if you know what I mean.
3. and they are then irradiated to prevent more fungus upon entry into the US.

Fitness vs. Child bearing

Tuesday, I broke a new record for me and ran 3 miles on the Treadmill in 35.11 mins.
The last time I ran was 1 week ago at 36 mins. It was challenging. Last night, I had a headache so bad, I wanted to throw up.

I can't help but think that the next time I'm pregnant, that I won't want to run, in fear of loosing the baby. So part of me doesn't want to get pregnant next month, because I don't want to stop getting better at running, yet.

But of course I also feel that my clock is ticking and time is running out. Having a miscarriage makes me feel like I'm getting older and more of a statistical risk of problems.

So we'll see. I might wait a couple of months. Or when I reach a plateau with the running.

Dream

Last night I had a dream about the baby...
I pulled back this blanket, and there was my embryo with an adult face and tiny body. I was under house arrest by some kidnappers. I nursed the baby and could feel the ache in my breast when the milk comes in. The baby then looked like my kidnapper and I discovered he was the father of my baby...
wierd!

Lingering Sorrow

I started feeling sad again tonight. I guess for a while, it will come and go.

I went out to my regular moms night out with the homeschool moms. They never knew I was pregnant, so I never said anything. But a part of me wanted to tell them. And looking around the restaurant and seeing a pregnant woman and thinking, I used to be pregnant.

How do you tell the children?

Today, Jordan asked how do you know the baby is dead?
How do you answer that? I didn't know what to say.
Finally I said, that's a good question!

Have you ever seen that movie with Robin Williams called What Dreams May Come?
Well, what if I'll be greeted in Heaven one day by my son, Cuba Goodin Jr.?

Friends and Family

One of the reasons people don't tell anyone they are pregnant till they are 3 months, is so they don't have to tell everyone over and over again that they miscarried. Every time you have to tell a friend that you are not pregnant anymore, it hurts.

But I'm really glad I told my closest friends. Because today was a day I wouldn't want to go through alone!

Who knew Vicki would be with me all day while I was actually losing the baby. I didn't know what was going on, but it was nice to lay in bed all day!

And to get emails from friends that have miscarried as well. I have a great mother-in-law who is always a comfort. My parents are in Jamaica, so they don't even know yet.

Do you think I should tell less people next time?

Midwife's Advice

My Midwife advised that I wait a full cycle before trying to get pregnant again.

She also thought that nothing I did was likely to cause a miscarry, but rather was just a bad pregnancy.

Women who are 35-45 yrs old have a 20-35% chance of miscarriage.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/miscarriage.html

My Embryo at 6wks

I just passed the baby. It has been about 24hrs since the bleeding started. Now that the baby is out, the cramps have gone away and the bleeding has almost stopped.

The embryo looked like this one from pregnancy.com
http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment1.php

I didn't want to just flush it away. Should I have saved it for the docter/midwife to see?



Well, I held it in the palm of my hand and took pictures of it before flushing it away. Don't look below, if you don't want to see it!!!!!!!





WARNING: Graphic Image

An Embryo at 6-7 weeks old (Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaIa4wvPiE4

In the Land of the Living!

Psalm 27: vs. 13&14... "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. WAIT for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Thanks Jenna

Miscarriage

Yesterday, I had a miscarriage. I have never miscarried before and have never had any bleeding with my other pregnancies.

The question, "Why?", keeps haunting me.

I did several things yesterday I don't normally do. I fell off the 100% raw diet wagon and ate cooked food (too much). I took the advice of Beverly from the nutrition seminar (not blaming her) and ate some dairy. The doubt sets in and you question if you are getting what you need for the pregnancy. Coupled with temptation, pregnancy can make you very weak.

I also have not been taking it easy. I weight lifted yesterday and on Tuesday I ran my regular 3 miles (in record time of 36 mins!). I wanted to take a nap, but didn't.

And with this pregnancy, I have had pressure on my cervix, like when you are nine months pregnant. Part of me was worried that something was wrong.

Intellectually, I feel a 100% raw vegan diet is not only sufficient but optimal for the health of the mother and baby. In my other pregnancies, raw almonds saved me from low blood sugar and dizziness.

Jinjee from TheGardenDiet.com has had her last two of five children Raw, and raves about the benefits of a raw pregnancy. I'm going to buy her ebook today!
http://www.TheGardenDiet.com

Melissa Gilbert

Living a Raw Vegan Lifestyle has changed me on many levels, I have excess energy all the time, I am truly a happy person, I can feel love from everything in my life, I am no longer stiff and sore, I never catch the colds which get passed around, I feel lighter as a person, laughing I am, I have lost around 150 pounds and kept them off. My body is much leaner, I am no longer depressed, I now love to exercise daily. My skin is clear and beautiful. I am no longer worried about how strangers view me. I leave the house without make up. I now like leaving my home in comfortable clothes like my old worn out Levis and cowboy boots - no worries about dressing to go out in public for me. I like that one, I like it a lot. I am very laid back and satisfied with my life, I now Love and Respect myself. And best of all I am Cancer Free!
- Melissa Gilbert, from Pear Magazine, summer issue - http://www.PearMagazine.com

Suppliments

One question I frequently get is, "Do you take a pre-natal vitamin?"

Most of the information I've seen lately, say it is better to eat a healthy diet and get your vitamins from the food you eat. I think, particularly on a raw diet, it is easy to get the vitamins you need, because you aren't destroying them in the cooking process. However, it takes time to make sure you are covering all your bases.

Here are some of the areas of concern for a raw vegan:

B12
Vit.D
Probiotics
Omega Fatty Acids

For B12 and probiotics, I eat fermented foods, like vegetarian Kim Chee. Also for B12, I eat Spurilina.
For Vitamin D, I don't use sunblock and get some sun.
For Omega's, nuts and seeds, like flax seed.

Much of this is still debated, so it's an individual decision.

If cows are healthier if they are free range and eat grass and not as much grains, so should we.
How is it that they get their calcium?
Chimps diet is composed mostly of green leaves and fruit. (Green Smoothie book by Victoria Boutenko).


Two things I will do differently with baby#3...
1. Not be so eager to feed solid foods
2. Nurse for longer

B12 and cholesterol are very important for a growing brain and baby. Breast milk will supply those necessary nutrients if the mother eats well and if the baby gets breast milk for a long enough period of time.

How long should you nurse? La Lache League says for 3 yrs. When I first heard that 6 yrs. ago, I felt the same way. But now, I'm older and wiser, and see that for a vegan baby, that's a must! Hay, it's not like they have to be attached to your boob. You could just have a feeding in the morning or one at night. Or you could pump and put the breast milk in a sippy cup. The most I nursed my other kids was 1 yr, so for me it will be quiet a jump. But at least I'll have the peace of mind that she is getting the nutrients she needs for the rest of her life!

Jordan and his new cousin Tyler

We are all so happy about the arrival of Tyler!
Matt and I are finally an Uncle and Aunt, and Jordan and Eleanor finally have a 1st cousin.

Six Weeks

www.myrawpregnancy.com

I went to a very informative nutrition seminar with Beverly Seng last night. I learned how important it is to not use poly-unsaturated fats, like vegetable oil. For myself, on the raw diet, I already stay away from veg. oil and only use extra virgin olive or coconut oil. But for Matthew and the kids, I'm very motivated to stop buying veg. oil. Matt is famous for his homemade popcorn. But now I'm encouraging him to use the air popper and top with melted organic butter.

Also, food additives like color and preservatives...like in the blow pops my kids get everyday at the gym. Today I bought organic loli-pops from Trader Joe's (no colors or preservatives). Tomorrow, I will give them to the lady at the gym so she can give them "healthier" candy.