Feelin' Groovy

Some days are just better than others and that goes for anyone dealing with life in general! Today is a good day. Just wanted to share that since a lot of times this blog could be depressing and whiny at times :)

Although its rainy and glum outside in NYC, I am feeling like sunshine on the inside. Some days just fall into place and it feels good. I am finally coming out of the fog of being sick with whatever is going around my office/the train and that's always a good thing.

In addition to being sick last week, we almost lost one of our cats. Poor little Gatsby was in heart failure but has made it through and is back to his old self! Also my husband just sent me a text to say that he cleaned the house and, after regaining consciousness, I am elated to head home to a clean house!

So I would like to send you all a happy message of love and hope and happiness this evening (and all days for that matter)!

Just want to share this with you  from Cute Things Falling Asleep...if we only could all be this relaxed!

BPA + Sperm = Bad Swimmers

I've talked about BPA previously on this blog and I just found another story to reiterate that it's not good and there are studies to prove it!

The most recent issue of the Journal of Fertility and Sterility, funded by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety, cited a study that showed that exposure to our good ol' friend, BPA (Bisphenol A), can reduce the quality of men's semen.

BPA can be found in food packaging (the primary source of human exposure) and other plastics. The study was done over a five-year period and is one of the few involving humans rather than animals.

Read the full story here

The study began with 514 workers recruited from epoxy resin factories in China in 2004. Only 218 of the participants ended up submitting both urine and semen specimens for the final assessment. Researchers measured semen quality by examining factors like concentration, vitality, motility (movement), total sperm count and morphology (size and shape).


Men exposed to BPA at work and who showed detectable urine BPA had more than three times the risk of lower sperm concentration and vitality than men with no detectable urine BPA. The former group also had more than four times the risk of lower sperm count and more than twice the risk of lower sperm motility.

Throw out those plastic bottles and get one of these. You will do wonders for those little swimmers and the earth at large!

A Green Home is a Happy Home

I was walking through a store over the weekend and I saw a small child in the basket of a shopping cart. He was trying to pull himself up and in the meantime was sucking on the side of the shopping cart. Aside from the abundance of germs on that thing, what about all those chemicals?

It got me thinking about what's really in things around our homes and then I saw this in my in-box this morning from Rodale.com:

Caution: Floor May Be Toxic: The largest report of its kind finds that more than half of the flooring samples tested contained one or more hazardous chemical additives.

The largest-ever study on toxic chemicals on the home improvement products was released by Healthy Stuff on Oct. 19. The group tested for lead, bromine (brominated flame retardants), chlorine (PVC), cadmium, arsenic, tin (organotins), pththalates and mercury in commonly-used flooring and wallpaper.

PVC building materials, namely, vinyl flooring and coated wallpaper, were seven times more likely to contain hazardous additives when compared to nonplastic flooring options. Wallpaper was particularly toxic because 96 percent of samples tested contained a PVC coating.


"Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, since they are frequently close to the floor and therefore have high levels of exposure. In fact, many of these substances have already been restricted or banned in children's products.," the report noted.

Researchers have found heavy metals like cadmium and lead in vinyl flooring and wallpaper, along with flame retardants. These substances are linked to asthma, fertility problems, learning disability, hormone-related diseases, and cancer. Non-vinyl flooring products are half as likely to contain hazardous chemical additives. Linoleum, cork, bamboo and hardwood all tested free of lead, cadmium, mercury, and other hazardous metals.

Just something to think about when you are walking around barefoot in your home or are thinking of remodeling.

It is more than just what we are eating that is impacting our lives today. We need to think about all environmental factors - at the very least, the ones we can change in our homes.

Be Happy & Green!
xoxo

Rant of the day...

It's Friday and I've had an especially annoying week so I would like to get something off of  my chest. I was on the lovely Facebook the other day and saw this status update:

Yes, there are lots of things that people without kids will never know...but patience isn't one of them hunny! She will never know how annoying that comment is because she will always be a mother but that self righteousness just gets to me. I can understand why couples who chose not to have kids form their own groups like No Kidding!

Yes, I am just a little bitter!

I know this comment wasn't directed at me personally or the millions of other couples dealing with infertility or someone dealing with any illness or house training a dog or my nephew who is learning how to read, but comments like that always get under my skin, especially ones like "wait until you have kids." That one is a doozy and puts me over the edge when I hear it.

You know what else I can't wait for 'till i have kids? Never hearing that comment again!

So off to STFU Parents you go...not sure if it's on there yet but I have patience, even though I'm childless.

*End Rant*

A baby story...

Lately I've been hearing a lot of birth stories and since I have a lot of time to think about it and plan it, the more I am leaning towards a home birth. I am not at all  impressed with hospital births these days.

My sister-in-law just had her third baby and she delivered him at home - all safe and sound! It was such a difference seeing her that morning  - walking around and everyone was quiet and happy and the mood was just so relaxed - versus her other two births at the hospital when she was exhausted and the babies were screaming all night long. Many people believe that they way you came into this world says a lot about your personality so why not try to make it as smooth and natural as possible?

I know many people have complications and home births are often controversial but women have been doing it for years and that is what our bodies are designed for. Maybe its time we take them back!

Initially I thought I would head straight to the hospital and get my epidural and not feel a thing, like some women have said about their birth experiences. But the more I read and heard about hospital births, the more my mind was changing.

Then I watched the Business of Being Born and I was even more sold! I need to get pregnant first, of course, so for now it's just day dreaming. I know that sounds strange but that's what happens when you have a lot of time to think!

Detour

There has been another detour in the road to parenthood and its called money! In the midst of traveling these roads -  that hopefully will lead to parenthood - the recession has taken its toll on our jobs, etc. I suppose when you talk about stars needing to align and the whole "things happen for a reason" then I guess this isn't the right time for us to move forward with a baby. It pains me to even think it, no less write it down.

We postponed our meeting with the Naturopath. I am super bummed and so is my hubby but if it's a stretch in the money department just to see her and pay for subsequent visits, herbs, etc then we need to get to a better place before moving ahead cause babies aren't free :)

I know in my gut that we need to see this woman first before thinking about any other intervention - its just not in the cards right now. I want to get out of this slump and feel better on a daily basis - I am just having a hard time keeping it consistent.

Nature is on my side...

I have been stagnant for a while so I finally took a step in some direction (forward I would hope!). I made an appt for the hubby and me to see a Naturopath doctor.

Naturopathy is an alternative medical system that focuses on natural remedies and the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs.

I had a phone consultation with Dr. Pina LoGiudice of InnerSource Natural Health. I was referred to her by a midwife who delivered my nephew.

Dr. Pina is known in this area as a fertility guru and I am excited to meet her. My hubby and I have a two-hour fertility assistance appointment with Dr. Pina in a few weeks and we will leave with a plan in hand. I will keep you all updated on how it goes and the plan she lays out for us. It will include a diet change, herbal medicine and some acupuncture.

I fell off the wagon of health and wellness that I worked so hard to get to. Part of me trying not to obsess over getting pregnant was stopping all things I was doing to try. I see this appt as a chance to get my health back on track.

And off we go...

There is no way to happiness...happiness is the way

I've been attempting to "just be" and not judge, assign or even think too much. It's a work in progress. For a while I have been content - to a point - with putting off the baby talk and just living life but somehow there is something about the change of the season that sends me right back to that yearning. But I am taking steps to move forward...

I've been listening to Wayne Dyer and his interpretation of the Tao Te Ching - the classic text of Chinese philosophy - which presents a way of life intended to restore harmony and tranquillity to a kingdom racked by disorder, which I can relate to :)



I am on the third verse:

Putting a value on status

will create contentiousness.

If you overvalue possessions,

people begin to steal.

By not displaying what is desirable, you will

cause the people’s hearts to remain undisturbed.

The sage governs

by emptying minds and hearts,

by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.

Practice not doing. . . .

When action is pure and selfless,

everything settles into its own perfect place.

I am really working on this at the moment. The second verse discussed "just being." If an opportunity appears today to defend or explain myself I am going to choose not to and instead turn within and sense the texture of misunderstanding. I will just be with the way it is instead of transversing it...and getting caught up in the duality of being right or wrong.

The third verse, above, is about being happy in this moment...as in there is no way to happiness...happiness is the way. You, like me, might  have a long list of goals that you think will provide contentment when achieved but if you examine your state of happiness in this moment some previous ambitions didn't produce the joy you had thought.

I had a long list of goals when I moved out of state to the countryside of PA. I would be more relaxed and have my kids and raise them on a farm in the country air and I would write and be happy. But I wouldn't be happy and content until I got to that moment. Well the moment didn't materialize...and I was miserable along the way. I missed cherishing almost 2 years of being there bc I wasn't getting what I wanted, what I thought would make me happy.

We are back in NY and I am happy and I am in the moment more than before and it feels good.

Bring happiness to every encounter. Inventory your desires and turn them over to the unnameable and trust. Look for guidance.

Everyone has a calling to be inspired and its time to answer it!

“I’d gladly throw up for nine straight months if it meant I could have a baby.”

Resolve: The National Infertility Association has a nust-read on their website about infertility etiquette. Awareness is important.

Infertility Etiquette

By Vita Alligood

Read the article here

My friends have always been super respectful and understanding...thank you so much!

Blogs of note...

I've been reading a couple of fertility blogs....they are personal stories that inspire and give you hope as well as let you feel empathy for couples going through this same journey. I thought I would share their amazing stories of bravery and their dedication to never give up!

The first one is Sonja from Philadelphia On her second IVF she found out she was pregnant with quads...three boys (two of them identical) and one girl. She delivered her babies at 27 weeks and updates frequently about their progress.

On (In) Fertile Ground

The other blog is written by Brook  from Seattle. After one IVF and one FET she faced a tragic miscarriage but is still hopeful. My heart goes out to her and her husband.

Scifibaby

These women give me hope and help me to know that I am not alone. Thanks so much for sharing your stories!

xoxox

Nine Practical Tips...

Tips that I think need to be passed along...for you and your future babies...

From the EWG.org:

According to a new report from the President's Cancer Panel, environmental toxins play a significant and under-recognized role in cancer, causing "grievous harm" to untold numbers of people. EWG's own research has found that children are born "pre-polluted" with nearly 300 industrial chemicals, pesticides and contaminants that have been found to cause cancer in lab studies or in people.


Four of every 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and two of every 10 will die from it. Beyond talking to your doctor about lifestyle changes that are known to make a difference -- stopping smoking, reducing drinking, losing weight, exercising and eating right -- there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Filter your tap water. Common carcinogens in tap water include arsenic, chromium, and chemical byproducts that form when water is disinfected. A simple carbon filter or pitcher can help reduce the levels of some of these contaminants. If your water is polluted with arsenic or chromium, a reverse osmosis filter will help. Learn about your tap water and home water filters at EWG’s National Tap Water Database. http://www.ewg.org/tap-water

• Seal outdoor wooden decks and play sets.Those built before 2005 are likely coated with an arsenic pesticide that can stick to hands and clothing. Learn more at http://www.ewg.org/reports/allhandsondeck 

• Cut down on stain- and grease-proofing chemicals. “Fluorochemicals” related to Teflon and Scotchgard are used in stain repellents on carpets and couches and in greaseproof coatings for packaged and fast foods. Some of these chemicals cause cancer in lab studies. To avoid them, skip greasy packaged foods and say no to optional stain treatments in the home. Download EWG’s Guide to PFCs here: http://www.ewg.org/Health-Tips

•  Stay safe in the sun.More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. To protect your skin from the sun’s cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, seek shade, wear protective clothing and use a safe and effective sunscreen from EWG’s sunscreen database. http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen

•  Cut down on fatty meat and high-fat dairy products. Long-lasting cancer-causing pollutants like dioxins and PCBs accumulate in the food chain and concentrate in animal fat. Eat EWG’s Clean 15. Many pesticides have been linked to cancer. Eating from EWG’s Clean 15 list of the least contaminated fruits and vegetables will help cut your pesticide exposures. (And for EWG’s Dirty Dozen, buy organic.) Learn more at EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. http://www.foodnews.org/

•  Cut your exposures to BPA. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen found in some hard plastic water bottles, canned infant formula, and canned foods. It may increase the risk of reproductive system cancers. To avoid it, eat fewer canned foods, breast feed your baby or use powdered formula, and choose water bottles free of BPA. More at http://www.ewg.org/bpa/tipstoavoidbpa

•  Avoid carcinogens in cosmetics. Use EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic database (http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ to find products free of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer. When you’re shopping, don’t buy products that list ingredients with “PEG” or “-eth” in their name. 

• Read the warnings. Some products list warnings of cancer risks – read the label before you buy. Californians will see a “Proposition 65” warning label on products that contain chemicals the state has identified as cancer-causing.

 

 

 

Salty Salty

Natural remedies are great...I consider all of them and try most of them. Another one was sent to me today by my mum. Its about the many health benefits of Epsom salt

According to a story on Care2.com by Melissa Breyer...soaking in Epsom salt is a great way to give your body a boost.

Most of us know about the importance of iron and calcium for our bodies, but what about magnesium? It is the second most abundant element in human cells and the fourth most important positively charged ion in the body. It helps the body regulate over 325 enzymes and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions, like muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.

Soaking in Epson salt, which is high in magnesium, will help with many deficiencies.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, American’s magnesium deficiency helps to account for high rates of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a number of other ailments.

Studies indicate that our magnesium levels have dropped by half in the last century due to changes in agriculture and diet. While you maybe thinking that taking a magnesium supplement may be easier than soaking in a tub, studies have shown that it is not easily absorbed through the destive tract.

Researchers and physicians suggest these health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:


•Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.

•Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.

•Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.

•Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.

•Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

•Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.

•Improved oxygen use.

•Improved absorption of nutrients.

•Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.

•Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

Now I know that all of you could use some de-stressing ...so go out and get a tub of salt and make a night of it. Happy Bathing!

xoxo

More On Sunscreen....

More about sunscreen and what the FDA is not telling you. Chuck Shumer (D-NY) is pushing the FDA's buttons and telling the truth.

Check out the story here

What You Can Do:
Keep using sunscreen, but know what SPF really means, and buy products that don't contain questionable chemicals like vitamin A.

PSA Time....Listen Up!

My dear blog readers...I don't want to be preachy but I am going to be. I must pass this story along. The video below is my friend Pam. She was hit by a truck while riding her bike and survived because she was wearing her helmet. We thank god she is alive today to tell us about it.

There are two lessons  here...First, obviously, if you or a family member, friend, dog, whoever are riding a bike, rollerblading, on a tri-cycle, motorcycle, scooter...wear your helmet!! Second (and Oprah would second this) DO NOT TEXT while driving. Pam doesn't mention it here but the teenager who hit her and dragged her down the street under his truck was texting his girlfriend at the time of the accident and wasn't paying attention.



If you are so inclined...be a part of Oprah's No Phone Zone!

Hurry Up and Wait...

I like instant gratification and my patience has been wearing thin on this whole baby thing. So when I went to see my doctor today and he laid out a plan for me and my hubby, I was hopeful again.

We have been on an extended break from trying to get pregnant (with the help of a doctor anyway). But it was time to revisit the doctor and it was interesting. I've done a few immunity tests recently and some flags were raised about my immunity and what role that is playing in my trouble conceiving. So at least I got some answers instead of the same old "unexplained" one.

But back to my instant gratification issues....I am ready to plow ahead with the doctors orders. But our life (the hubby and me) is a little crazy at the moment...moving to another state, working on contract without benefits, good insurance plan running out next month, owning a Mini Cooper with virtually no back seat for a baby....yada yada yada.

I know the smart thing to do is wait...save some money...plan it out better and wait a few more months. I would really have to rush and get things moving if June was a month to start it all. But I want it all and I want it NOW.

My husband was the voice of reason today and although I snapped at him like a kid being told I couldn't have something (sorry baby!), he was right.

So I am back on the wagon (or off) not sure if the wagon would be the one with fertility drugs in the trunk...in any case, I am back on the break after momentarily thinking I was no longer on a break while in a card store today.

Recently I told a friend (who holds a special place in my heart) that the thought of "what if I never get pregnant" has been creeping into my mind lately. But at least now the thought leaves my head faster. She has the same thoughts too and the same reaction but also wondered if it was more about her giving up in some way. It's incredible how this process makes you really question yourself.

So I am sending a big F-U to the fertility gods today.....can you help a homie out please????

Throw some fertile eggs, etc OUR way please.

I don't think there are too many people more dedicated and motivated than those of us trying to have babies. It just becomes exhausting. So if you are reading this and feel discouraged, just keep your chin up! Know you are not the only one on this roller coaster ride although I would like to get off of it in the next year or so :)

One great thing I learned from yoga meditation is that when thoughts enter your head just recognize them and then let them float by. Thoughts don't define you or your life and are not a crystal ball into the future.

So let it float by.....and have some fun this weekend! I've been requested to make jello shots for a party this weekend (I know what you are thinking and yes, people still make them who are not in college). So I will be walking around with a blue tongue...which I will be sticking out at those damn fertility gods this weekend!

Summer is here!!!! Check your Sunscreen

As I sit here writing this, there is a good old-fashioned crazy thunderstorm hitting my area. The kind that only happens when its humid and hot in the summertime. In a few short weeks I will be leaving the country-side of PA and heading back to Long Island. The storms on LI are good but the ones in PA (when you live on 17-acres with no one else around) are something else!!

But I digress....my point today, my beloved blog readers, is that summer is here and it's that time when we head to the beach and slop on tons of sunscreen (well most of us anyway) and try to get a tan without burning. You may have been hearing the news lately about the damage that sunscreen - which is supposed to protect you - is now doing to us.

This just hit my inbox today from the Environmental Working Group. It is a list of the best and worst of the sunscreens on the market and it is worth taking the time to look at.

Of the 500 beach and sports sunscreens that EWG analyzed for our 2010 Sunscreen Guide, we can only recommend 8 percent. Between the false sense of security from sunscreens with an SPF of 50 or higher, and new data linking vitamin A to accelerated development of skin tumors and lesions, most products don't live up to their hype. In fact, EWG found that wearing a hat and shirt in the sun should be your first line of defense, then using an EWG recommended sunscreen.

The EWG has compiled a list of the "top-rated" sunscreens and the "hall of shame."  I looked at the hall of shame and I own some of them. But since they are known as "hormone disruptors" they are hitting the bottom of my trash can now!

I urge you all to do the same. Take a look, see if you own any of these and see it as an opportunity to lessen your load and clean out your cabinet.

We don't want any hormones being disrupted so you know what to do next! Check out the list of safe ones and head to the store before the holiday weekend to get some.

If you think your store won't carry it, trying DrugStore.com They have a lot of good products.

So have some really, really safe fun in the sun this weekend. Remember, your skin is the largest organ in your body so be nice to it and treat it well.

And as an FYI about the EWG:

The mission of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. EWG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles.

Here is a link to info about the EWG's funding and where it comes from: http://www.ewg.org/about/funding

FOR REAL.....

To all of my readers....most of you know me personally so this isn't directed towards you but to any others who happen to come upon this site for information or anything else, I just wanted to ensure you that this is my first-person account of everything related to my experience with infertility.

One commenter recently questioned the validity of this blog...suggesting that it's a scam and was run by the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine (SIRM). I just wanted to assure you that it is not run by SIRM in any way and it is just my account of MY experiences.

If you have any questions about that, just send me an email at Fertilegroundblog@gmail.com

Thanks for reading!

LeeCee
xoxo

The hubby & me at our June 2005 wedding in Easton, Pa!

National Infertility Awareness Week

National statistics indicate that as many 4 million of an estimated 35 million cohabiting heterosexual couples in the United States are infertile (i.e. unable to conceive within a year of trying). Saturday, April 24th, marked the start of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), which is intended to make aspiring parents aware of their vulnerability when it comes to fertility and the need to take charge of their reproductive options.

My goal of this week (although I am at the tail-end of it) is to help one infertile person/couple find hope. This journey is a very lonesome one and it always helps to know that you are NOT alone. You are supported and loved and not judged!
 
So tonight I will be raising a glass (or two - it's been a long week) to all my fellow travelers on their strange journey to parenthood! I salute you and your resolve to not give up and keep moving forward.


Cheers!
XOXO

P.S. If you need more info...a great place to search is RESOLVE - The National Infertility Association. If you are looking for women just like you, they even offer local group meetings.

Let's Talk About Food...

Well hello stranger….sorry it’s been so long! I’ve been commuting and it’s been long days and nights and I no longer want to look at a computer after 6 PM. But I have things to talk about….I’ve been making mental notes for my blog so I am going to pile it on.

First up…you are what you eat. I am sure I’ve said that before on this blog and I will reiterate it! I am sure most of you have heard of the documentary Food Inc. I bought it a few months ago and finally sat down to watch it a few weeks ago.

I knew what I was in store for and I had to be in the right frame of mind to deal with what was coming at me. But it was an eye-opener. Although I knew some things, I wasn’t’ aware of a lot of them.

Trying to get pregnant and the thought of bringing new life to this planet is an exciting yet scary thought. I changed the way I ate over the past three years. It was a progression that moved to the forefront of my mind as time elapsed and I still was not pregnant. I stopped eating most meat (except fish) and felt better although my doctors and acupuncturists, etc have asked me again and again to just eat a nice piece of organic, free range chicken or beef once in a while.

In the last few months I started doing just that. I feel good and I know where my meat is coming from. I am not buying it at the supermarket; I go directly to the farm. I am fortunate enough to live near great farms. I talk to the farmers and see their animals and what they are eating and how they are living. This isn’t mass produced meat where animals live in terrible conditions and have high levels of bacteria in them like E-coli that ends up in the meat case at the super market.

Here is one large piece of info you need to know the next time you are looking at meat at your local supermarket. It may look nicely cut and clean but most likely; it did not come from a pretty place. Most cows nowadays are given hormones and antibiotics along with food that consists of mainly GMO-corn - that means it’s genetically modified and that all gets passed to you.

What is happening is that since these cows are not grass-fed, like they should be because that is their natural way, they are developing a situation where they cannot fend off bacteria like E-Coli. More of the bacteria is being passed onto consumers.

And here is how the beef industry is attempting to counteract that – not by changing the ways they feed these animals but by adding filler to your ground beef that has been washed in ammonia. Sounds appetizing doesn’t it?

This isn’t just a documentary – it’s a wake up call. If you don’t want to see it because it will “ruin” the way you eat and your next dinner, then you shouldn’t read on. This is about knowledge and getting a better understanding of how the world works. This will affect you and your children and grandchildren and their children.

So think about it. Watch it. Being better informed is a good thing so you can make decisions based on that.

The movie is hard to shake, you will continue to think about your food and where is came from. If you don’t know what the ingredients are….maybe next time you will pass up a cookie with unpronounceable ingredients and go for something that your grandmother or great-grandmother can pronounce like apple or pear!

Yes, one person can make a difference and set in motion of chain of events that make an even bigger difference.

Below is a list of 10 simple things YOU can do to change our food system:

1. Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.
2. Eat at home instead of eating out.
3. Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.
4. Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.
5. Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week. (An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.)
6. Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.
7. Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market.
8. Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.
9. Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.
10. Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and other protections.

For more info visit: http://www.foodincmovie.com/

99 Balloons...

One thing that keeps me going through all of this is the thought that I will cherish my kids more than I would have if I had gotten pregnant right off the bat. Not that I would have loved them less but when you have to fight for something and put all you have into it....you understand how delicate life is and how precious a gift it is to become a parent. It really is a gift.

I am sure many of you have seen this...it is hard to watch and will make you cry. But you will understand even more about how precious life is and how waking up in the middle of the night to feed your baby is another gift - one you should look forward to.

This isn't just about having a baby; it's about cherishing all moments in your life. Be present, be in the moment and love it!

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.