To vax or not to vax…that is the question.  If you’ve read my blog before you’ll know my view on vax is this – GET YOUR FACTS.  Gather all the information you can, talk to other parents, talk to your ped, talk to the Moms (or Dads) you see in the coffee shop, talk to your friends and anyone else you think could offer some insight.  Educate yourself as much as possible before you decide one way or the other with regards to vaccinating.  Why do I stress this?   Because in the age of the internet, unless you are living under a rock or out in space, there is NO reason why you should not be educated on this topic.  IF this topic is of concern to you.  It may not be.  You may be a parent that could not possibly care any less about vaccinating.  And if that is you, stop reading this blog and go do something else.

So here’s the skinny.  A friend of mine who is pro-vax wanted to share some facts on why it is important to get our kids vaccinated with all shots and on time.  And I asked her to put that info together because I wanted to share it with my readers.  The reason I’m doing this is because as a community (of parents) we are all shooting for the same goals and I believe in the power of knowledge.  And I know that we are stronger together (both sides of the coin) than we are apart.  So without further delay….. Read the rest of this entry »

Ok – it’s been a few hot minutes since I last posted and I’ve missed ya’ll so very much.  Really, I have.  But I just have not felt inspired and I needed to step away for a bit to get the blogging juices flowing once again.  I was feeling burnt out and not that into it.  I told myself that once blogging started to feel like a job – I would step away.  So I did and I’m feeling refreshed.  Did ya miss me?  Hope so!

Just to get you caught up on the Nugget – here is a recent pik.

Ain’t he cute??

Naturally yours, Dallas

Don’t be a sheep.

What a shitty two weeks it has been.  MRIs, mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies and the waiting.  The damn waiting!  The good news is that I’m in the clear and the two masses were benign.  There isn’t really any bad news in all of this.   I’ve learned a lot and want to shout it all from the mountaintops to anyone that will listen!  GET YOUR FLIPPING MAMMO ALREADY!  If you have insurance call and ask them when you can get your first baseline…if they say 35 and you’re around that age….GO GET A MAMMOGRAM!  If you’re nursing, you can still get a mammo done.  It will not do any harm to your or your milk.  Lactating breasts are a little harder to get an accurate mammo..but you still can get one.  Just take your little one with you and let them nurse right before the exam.  Get your facts on your family history and share this info with your doc.  If your doc tells you that you do not need a mammo yet but you really want one -schedule a mammo anyways or get another doc.  This is your body and your choice.  Now if you’re 15 – you probably don’t need one.  But if you’re in your mid thirties there is no reason why you can’t get one!

Stay tuned for more info on early detection and better breast health through holistic living.

Naturally yours, Dallas

I hate that I haven’t blogged in what seems like forever.  But things have been a little hectic around here for the last two weeks.  I went in for a mammo and they found a lump in my right breast.  A week later they wanted me to get an MRI just to be sure that they weren’t missing anything.  And OF COURSE they found another lump in my left breast during this MRI.  I had both lumps biopsied yesterday and will have the results tomorrow.  This has been all consuming and I just haven’t felt like blogging.  But I wanted to let you guys in on what was going on.  I’m sad, confused, a little bitter and ready to put together a plan to tackle whatever is going on in my boobs.

Till then…

Naturally yours, Dallas

Hi ya’ll! Sorry it’s been a few days since my last post.  Life has been, well, a little hectic and I’ll share with you all the sordid details in a few. But for now, I wanted to be sure that you guys get to read the report that the Environmental Working Group recently put out on contaminants found in our children’s bath products.  I only use California Baby on Kiki  so I’m not sweating this too much (other than the fact that I’m totally pissed at the FDA…again!) but I do want us to pass this info around to everyone we know!

http://www.ewg.org/report/toxic-tub/31209

Another great source of info is the sister site to the Environmental Working Group, Skin Deep.  This site is where you should go to get up to date, accurate and important info about all of our skin care products.  Save both links!!

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1

Naturally yours, Dallas

Finally!  Alternative medicine is making it’s way into the light!  When we were going through our troubles with having a baby, my insurance company would cover the “bad news” visits…but never anything to try and figure out why we were losing our babies.  I remember calling my insurance company and asking if they would cover holistic fertility treatments because we didn’t want to use Western drugs and they said no, that it was considered an alternative therapy and not really medicine. My Western OBGYN would roll his eyes at me every time I told him that I was seeing a holistic fertility specialist or what herbs I was taking or if I mentioned acupuncture.  But during our journey I learned how to take really good care of myself both physically and mentally.  I took chinese herbs, changed my diet, did a few detoxes, had a little therapy and received acupuncture treatments.  Before, during and after my pregnancy I was the healthiest I had been in my whole life.   And when Kiki was born – my western OBGYN asked me for the name and number of my Chinese Medicine Doctor so he could refer infertility patients to him.  Can you believe that?!  So, I think alternative medicine will become more and more available to anyone who seeks it.  And I know the proof that alternative medicine works, is making it’s way into the mainstream.

Alternative medicine and holistic therapies are about supporting the body and its systems all the time.  Its about tapping into your body’s ability to heal itself and offering a gentle push if needed.  Remember to honor your body, mind and spirit with healthy eating, rest, meditation (which I try but I can’t sit still for very long!) and some form of exercise!

Read this article..let me know what you think!

Alternative Medicine is Mainstream

Naturally Yours, Dallas

I was reading the Holistic Mothers Network blog and came across this post on holistic parenting.  When you mention to people that you’re pursuing a “natural living lifestyle” or that you and your family practice “holistic living”…most people immediately think one of two things.  One is that  a) you’re a total bitch, snotty, know-it-all or b) that you live in trees and worship rocks.  While I may be the first option from time to time, the latter is really far fetched.  Sort of.  Ok,  I do have dreams of becoming a tree person somewhere in the Pac Northwest and I have to admit I do have several gem stones placed in odd areas around my home.  What’s it to you?

Anyways – holistic/natural living and parenting (to me) is about getting back to basics, getting rid of  lab invented substances (food or drug) and truly believing in myself and my ability to know what’s best and right for me, my kid and my family.  And if I’m not sure…being humble enough to ask for help.   Which is what I’m trying to do with this blog.  I’m hoping to create a community of like minded people who want to share what they know with those of us who have questions.

So back to the post on HMN…here it is.  It really just puts into perspective what being a holistic parent means.  Happy reading!

“Many of today’s parents are seeking natural remedies and a holistic lifestyle for themselves and their families in an effort to attain optimal health and to live a greener life. Holistic parenting is about understanding how our choices are connected. Being conscious of our choices enables us to think on a larger scale and to do what is best for our families both in the short term and the long term.

Although holistic parenting can take many routes and result in a wide variety of choices, there are some simple things every parent can to do to begin their journey. Here are six steps to discovering holistic parenting:

· Be Informed. Being informed in all of your parenting and health choices is a cornerstone of whole living. Investigate your options educate yourself on the benefits as well as the risks of your parenting, healthcare, and lifestyle choices.

· Cultivate Trust. Living holistically starts with a shift in your perspective away from fear and uncertainty and toward trust in yourself, your body, and nature’s healing power. Cultivating this trust is challenging but uncovering it is ultimately a source of empowerment.

· Tune Into Your Mother (or Father) Wisdom. Deep within yourself lies your inner wisdom and intuition, as well as your spiritual voice. What feels right to you may not be the most traveled path but often will best serve your family.

· Go Natural. The preponderance of chemicals in our food, homes, and environment is wreaking havoc on our health. We need to look for safe, non-toxic products to care for our homes, and to eliminate artificial ingredients, preservatives, and pesticides from our food.

· Live Lightly on the Earth. Living holistically means recognizing the interconnectedness of our choices. Tread lightly by supporting industries that nurture the earth (such as organic farming), incorporating green practices into your life (such as recycling), and giving back of yourself through volunteer work.

· Find Support. Creating and interacting with others who share similar philosophies is empowering and will help you to find the tools you need to grow a healthy family. What’s more, social support itself is health creating. Recent studies show that being socially connected to others can improve your physical health and is linked to lower mortality rates. ”

Naturally yours, Dallas

Garden planting is right around the corner here in VA!  Wha-cha gonna plant this year?  We’re going with the usual suspects (tomatoes, bell peppers, herbs) and may even try a few berries.  Be sure to check out the Farmer’s Almanac for the best dates to get started!

Naturally yours, Dallas

Evening ya’ll!  I wanted to pass along something really, really cool coming to Richmond on March 7th!

LUNA, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, is putting on a film festival featuring short films by and about women, right here in Richmond.  This is a fund raising film festival (say that three times really fast!) that hopes to promote awareness about women’s issues and just show support and love for the women in our own community.  And it gets better…100% of the proceeds are donated to charity – 15% going to The Breast Cancer Fund and 85% going back to hosting community organizations.  Ticket are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and from what I hear..they are going fast!

Sooooo…buy a ticket for crying out loud – just click on the LUNAFEST logo!!  One for yourself and a girlfriend and come out to celebrate the women filmmakers! I think I feel a GIRLS NIGHT OUT BREWING!!

Naturally yours, Dallas