I eat an Avocado every day now since I’ve been looking at natural solutions for my little girls eczema.  They really are amazing!

As I was about to start this post a friend posted this fact about them on Facebook.  Did you know?…

It takes 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit???

The simple avocado helps balance hormones, shed unwanted weight, and is known to help prevent cervical cancers.

The Haas Avocado is the rough skinned type and it’s the one you need to benefit the skin.  It’s magic!

There are loads of ways to enjoy avocado – My 3 favourite are

1) In raw chocolate mouse – you would have no idea there is avocado in it!

2) In my green breakfast smoothie with Chia seeds for real morning boost!

3) Straight as it comes, sharing off the spoon with my little girl – she loves them!

It makes a great face-mask, the oil has wonderful anti-aging properties and is amazing on mature skin.

Add an avocado to your shopping basket today – You’ll not be sorry!

Our little girl turned 1 year recently.

So,

came the issue of cake!

So I made a wheat free, cow’s milk free, sugar free chocolate cake and decorated it with raw chocolate buttons.  Deep joy and smugness was upon me as we tucked into that!!!

Raw Chocolate Buttons Yum Yum!

Raw chocolate is so easy to make and delicious and good for you too – so if you haven’t tried it yet why not have a go making some???

• A bain marie (i.e. a large saucepan of boiling water with a heat proof bowl on top of it).
• A mixing spatula or spoon.
• Moulds for the chocolates to set in.
• Roughly equal proportions by weight of  Raw Cacao butter and Raw cacoa powder and agave syrup. Typically a small batch would be 100 grams of each making 20 small chocolates), and a more sizeable batch would be 250 grams of each(making 50 small chocolates).You can also vary your proportions of Cacao and Agave depending on how sweet or bitter you like your chocolate.
• Vanilla or other flavours to taste.

1. Boil some water in the pan of the bain marie then remove from it the heat.

2. Place the Cacao Butter in the bain marie bowl and wait until the last of the solids have just disappeared.

3. Add the Vanilla and stir into the melted Cacao Butter.

4. Add in the Cacao Powder and mix until it is smooth.

5. Add in the Agave and mix until completely blended.

6. If you are adding any other ingredients, add them now.

7. Put your Raw Chocolate mixture into the setting moulds and allow them to set (they set faster in the fridge, and take about 30 minutes to set properly).

8. Pop out your Raw Chocolates and share them with those you love… if you don’t eat them all first!

(Recipie from http://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk)

ENJOY!

Sorry, not featuring Tom Cruise at all but I AM seeking

A Few Good Women!

12 to be precise

12 committed, capable, caring people to form a strong and supportive team with me.

6 local and 6 not so local

I have a dream… Cheesy but true

EVERY family in my town transforms their home into a place that is free of toxic products.  Someone who shares my dream does the same in their town…

We all want to save the planet, but that starts with an individual (that’s YOU!) they teach their family and friends, they teach their community… then we all get to bring our children up in a safe world.

Want to join me???

If you think YOU are just what I’m looking for Contact Me direct NOW and I’ll tell you more…

What’s that all about?

I’m aware I breastfeed, and I’m now more aware than ever that others do too.

I’m aware the NHS has dropped their funding for supporting this campaign this year, despite the importance they place on babies health and wellbeing being significantly boosted by breastfeeding!

What’s really amazing about breastfeeding in public is how unaware people usually are that you are feeding.  Mums still get the odd stare or comment but no where near as much as our mothers would have.  I often feed my daughter walking about with her in the sling which is just so convenient!

Every year this week comes around and we hear ‘breast is best’ so why is it still an issue?  Why are we still having to promote breastfeeding when it’s best for baby, mum, the finances…?  Some people can’t breastfeed, and I’m not having a dig at people who don’t choose to breastfeed, but I would like to highlight something I’ve personally noticed may put parents off breastfeeding:

Many women worry about something,, which is not often discussed or addressed.  Many women fear they alone in having these thoughts. Many women wonder how breastfeeding will feel, and how that will relate to their sexual feelings.  Breastfeeding is certainly a sensual experience, which can bring up confusing and complicated feelings for many women and I think we’d benefit from talking about it more.

For Breastfeeding Awareness Week I’m joining a photoshoot of breastfeeding mothers to help promote the normalisation of breastfeeding in public.

If you’re a proud breastfeeding mama, do get involved in Breastfeeding Awareness Week and help those who are not so confident or are not supported in breastfeeding.

Me with Eliza in her Ergo selling eco-goodies to local families

I was running my stall at a local Green Fair at the weekend when I came across a lovely lady with her little 8 week son snuggled up all cosy in his soft wrap on her chest.

We were chatting as she’d had trouble with her milk supply due to her son being tongue-tied at birth.  She has found great success with a supplement  (Motherlove ‘More Milk’) designed to boost her supply.  It incluses Fenugreek which I always recommend but also the closely related Goat’s Rue.  So I started reading up and all I can say is

WHY DID NO-ONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS BEFORE?!!!

Goat’s Rue, Biological name: Papilionaceae Galega officinalis

AKA ‘French Lilac’ or ‘Holy Hay’

Goat’s Rue grows 2-3 feet tall and the long flower stalk produces many light purple to pink flowers similar to those in the pea family. The leaves stimulate development of mammary tissue, and it is one of the MOST POTENT HERBS to use to INCREASE BREAST MILK SUPPLY.

Taking it daily in a tea or tiniture, it  is said to increase the production and flow of breast milk with great success!  If you suspect you have low milk supply then check out the link at the bottom of the page as the signs can often be misread.

As well as it’s  lactogenic properties, goat’s rue  may have anti-diabetic properties and could help with managing PCOS – a big contributor to infertility in the UK.  As a sufferer this is a topic close to my heart.  

Goat’s Rue could be considered the precursor drug to metformin, an insulin receptor sensitizer.  Because metformin has been found beneficial in many cases of polycystic ovary syndrome, goat’s rue may be an especially appropriate herb as it may have properties that address underlying problems.

I love learning more about how nature supports us in our journey through motherhood!  I’d love to hear your success stories!

Useful Link:

http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/low-supply/

All my life I’ve been led to believe that women feel the need to PROOVE they are Superwomen.

I’m now starting to think that like me they simply don’t know how else to be,  just to get through the basics every day!

I don’t feel the need to do everything.  In fact I’d like nothing better than to sit back and enjoy being a mum and forget everything else.  I’m not overly house proud and I don’t feel the need to demonstrate I can rush round and juggle everything.

But I need to cook, clean, doing the washing, dinner etc.  Not that hubby doesn’t help-he’s great! But as you all know the tasks are endless.

Then there’s the money thing.  We have gone from 2 full time incomes to me being on statutory maternity pay and now setting up my own business.  It stings a bit I don’t mind telling you.

Then there are ‘the visitors’ Now I love you all, I really do, but where is the time to sit round chatting? But then GUILT GUILT GUILT I need to let my daughter see them and visa versa, and I don’t want to cut out our entire support network.  I want to see my friends; of course I do but how? When?

Just when you’ve made it through the day with baby taken care of, check! you moderately presentable to the outside world (teeth clean at least,) check! Meals are done, nappies are washed; check! Auntie Vera has been for a cuppa; check!

Work -hmm, never done but at least you’ve done something!  I usually feel proud when I have achieved getting some work done followed immediately by a slam of guilt as I must have ignored my daughter to do it.  I enjoy my work, don’t misunderstand me but there is noting I want to do more then be with my little girl.

AND THEN there’s ‘THE RELATIONSHIP’.  Yes, I also have a husband who hasn’t even had a cuddle from me today.  When Eliza was born, a relative (male btw) said to me  “Don’t forget you have a husband just because you have a baby now” Well-whoosh! Another kick in the guts.  Am I neglecting him?  Probably, but I’m not sure I can help that.  We are a team and he makes me feel great even when I’m covered in baby sick and food, and my hair has that ‘new mum look’ as he calls it.  But society says I should be leaving Eliza with a babysitter for nights out, even though we’re not ready, and we should be making time for mad passionate sex 3 times a week-no comment!

But it’s more than all this because there’s finding clarity of mind when you’ve done 4 night feeds, there’s constantly justifying your parenting decisions to everyone (I was not prepared for this! weird how people quiz you on all your choices) There’s the leaking boobs, the hormones making you cry at everything, and all the other stuff that puts a tattoo on your head saying ‘Erratic Woman’ when your trying to display ‘Capable Woman’ There’s the phone ringing and waking the baby, so you’re trying to get them settled whist sounding interested in your friend’s life crisis – cause you mustn’t dump your friends just because you have kids!

This has got to be madness I tell myself but I have no idea what to cut out, how to change it.

We are fortunate enough to have family nearby and in fact my mother and father-in-law live next door.  I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it really works for us.  A lot of my friends have fantastic support from the grandparents with the kids including childcare.    It seems to me there is strength in numbers.

With families and communities pulling together we can support each other, but are we too proud to allow the help in?  Large multi-generational families and tribes offer a fantastic support network to many new parents around the globe but here in the UK we pride ourselves on our independence.  I’m not sure we have it so right.  I’m not sure living with these pressures is progress.

We’d only been trying to conceive for 2 months when we got the positive result.

Well that’s apart from the 3 years I’d been waiting,  trying to make health changes to prepare for having a baby.  I had PCOS and knew that I could have problems conceiving or carrying a baby and I was determined it wouldn’t be like that for me, besides I wanted to be well and didn’t want to rely on medication if I could help it! But I wanted a baby more than anything in the world and many days my body ached with the pain of waiting, and the fear it may never happen.  So I made serious diet changes, moved over to chemical free products, worked on reducing stress in my life and see what emotional and psychological blocks were in my way, and dealt with them.  The time came when we knew we’d done the ‘work’ and it was our time.

I think you know what we did next…

then 1 month later…

I remember taking my first test.  To really think this test could be positive was an incredible high for a couple of minutes, but it wasn’t.  My husband tenderly reassured me that not many couples conceive in the first month but I was bitterly disappointed and a rush of dread overcame me.  What if?  What if this doesn’t happen for me?  This moment of real panic gave me so much insight into what hell it must be for couples that try time and time again and have to face bad news.

Month 2 and I couldn’t wait to the test, but after a whole month of telling myself ‘this could take time I wasn’t really expecting, although of course hoping for, a line to say ‘Yes, you’re having a baby’ so I did a quick test in the morning as we were getting ready for work.  I peed on the stick then went in the bedroom and was doing my hair whilst counting the 3 mins.  I looked and the most incredible feeling of butterflies worked up from my belly to my mouth in an instant-it said I was pregnant.  I hadn’t even told my husband I was doing the test and we were about to rush off to work so I didn’t tell him, I just shoved the positive test and a spare one in my bag and rushed off to work.

I got there in a frenzy and quickly went in the loos to do another test.  It was, of course positive but I thought maybe it was wrong as it wasn’t the first pee of the day.  I ran out to boots and got 2 more tests.  I drank loads of water and went round the shop until the call for nature came and I headed to the public loos to test again.  This was a feint line as I’d drank loads of water so was it or not?  ok wait a bit and do another…lol lets just say I did 6 tests, yes 6! and still felt too unsure to tell anyone in case I was wrong.  I just couldn’t face the disappointment of being wrong as I wanted it so much.  I didn’t feel any different.  Wouldn’t I just ‘know’ if I was.  I’d feel different in some way wouldn’t I?

I had a reflexology appointment booked in my lunch break.  The lovely Lisa had seen me every week for a long time and she’d been through all the times of worry and pain as I nursed my body back into balance to prepare for this special day and today I had arrived with the great news and she was the first to know.  I said “I did a test and it says I’m pregnant, but I can’t be” she said “what?” knowing I was trying, that I was healthy and of course I could be, so I said “actually I did 6, but I can’t believe it” and burst into tears..  She lovingly looked me in the eyes and said, :Lindsay, you ARE pregnant” and we sobbed with joy together and hugged.

I took the afternoon off and went shopping looking at baby stuff & it felt exhilarating but naughty.  I didn’t want to buy anything for the baby yet, but I wanted to mark the day so bought some beautiful cake tins in John Lewis and imagined myself baking with my little one one day and telling them the story of the tins and the 6 pregnancy tests.  At 5pm I picked up hubby from work and as he got in the car I broke the news I’d carried round all day-let’s just say we headed straight to the pub for him to have a pint.

If you would like some help Trying To Conceive then have a look at my FREE! ‘TOP TAPS!

Have you seen the cover of Time Magazine?

The sensational cover showing  Jamie Lynne Grumet breast-feeding her three-year-old son has certainly provoked a lot of discussion about attachment parenting and extended breast feeding.  I must say he looks a lot older than 3 years old and I don’t want to get into the discussion about the cover again, but to use it as a platform to look at our feelings about breastfeeding and especially so-called ‘extended’ breastfeeding.

I was astonished when listening to the discussion on Jeremy Vine on radio 2 yesterday to hear people’s disgust in breastfeeding in public full stop-I really thought we’d moved on from that!

My husband & I choose to parent by trusting our little one that she knows what she needs and we follow her cues.  We have found great success with baby led weaning and she loves all kinds of food.

She is 9 months old and is breast-fed on demand.  I’m not looking for a medal here, but it feels so natural and I can’t imagine ignoring her request for milk when it soothes her, nourishes her, and connects us in such a beautiful way.  Why would I want to stop that now or in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years?  The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for a MINIMUM of 2 years and there is a lot of research to tell us the numerous benefits to breastfeeding for at least that time including immune boosting, reducing allergies, improving IQ…

BUT we hardly ever see toddlers/pre-schoolers breastfeeding and when we do it can feel a bit odd.  The old ‘bitty’ sketch from Little Britain gets a fleeting moment in each of our minds.  Is that because it’s unnatural or unusual-I’d suggest the latter but I think many more children are breastfed until 2/3 years old than we realise but maybe just an evening feed in the comfort of their own homes.  What a shame in the UK we hide this beautiful practice away with the exception of a few brave souls, so the vicious cycle of unfamiliarity spreads.  Not that I blame parents for keeping it private!  Why would you want to expose yourself to stares and comments?  You certainly wouldn’t want your child to be teased or labelled.

I intend to breastfeed our daughter until SHE decides to stop, but I admit I may find it more of a challenge the older she gets if we are in the public eye as although there are many benefits to extended breastfeeding we must also consider the context of our cultures norms and values and whilst you may, like me, be a trail blazer the impact of our choices sits with our children as well as ourselves.

Take a moment to centre yourself.  Relax and take a deep breath and then completely empty your lungs out. 

Sink down into your body and feel the floor beneath your feet.

Choose to hold an open heart and open mind.

As you focus on your body, be aware of just how amazing it is.  Notice the rise and fall of your breath and marvel at the wonder of life itself. 

Enjoy that YOU are a miracle of creation.

Contemplate that your body is made of the same dust that constitutes everything else in nature.  You are made of the same minerals as the plants and animals.

Be aware of your connection with all of nature and then your whole family and community.

Now carefully look at how you live your life-clothes, food, heating, energy & transport, then calmly assess the impact you have on your environment.

With your highest values in mind, and compassionately respecting all nature make some careful decisions about your habits and lifestyle.

Why not share this with your loved ones and make some changes together? 

Have a great week making your little changes!

Where to begin a blog???

all calm and head over heels in love

Well here we are at a ‘beginning’ I guess.  This pic is me (Lindsay Guttridge) with my only child, baby girl Eliza 8lbs 3 born into water at our home in Dorset.  It was the most amazing moment of my life and the feeling of love overwhelmed me like I could never have known.

Eliza is 8 months old now, and I think I love her a little more each day if that’s even possible.  Here we are now, outside our home in Wimborne, Dorset  We are stuck together like glue and every moment with her is the most prescious gift I could imagine.

We love baby led weaning, ‘extended’ breast feeding and feeding on demand.  We also love baby wearing co-sleeping,, baby signing. and using real nappies, but most of all we love being a family with my husband Andy, spending time together, having cuddles and giggles.

Little Changes is about

• sharing
• supporting
• discussing
• learning
• growing

I just wanted to say Hi today, welcome you to my blog and briefly tell you a bit about me, my family, and ‘Little Changes’.  This is the beginning for ‘Little Changes’.  Please come and follow us on our journey.  I am so looking forward to sharing it with you all.