3.02.2015

Dandelion Oat Chai, and Making Friends with Plants (and all the disclaimers in the land)



I’m not sure how to talk about the way my relationship with plants has changed this past year without irritating myself with sound of my own voice (words). It’s a familiar problem.

 I could tell you about growing a garden and tending houseplants helped me to measure growth in my life at a time when I was feeling dormant and curled inward. Or about how I’ve started, after very careful research, begun using plants to support my health in small daily ways. Gah. Look. Let’s talk about this chai.

Right now I am dealing with herbs mainly in tea forms, because the dosage is small, and the benefits accrue through habitual use, the same way we gain health through a balanced diet. I only use herbs that are considered safe for general use by the medical establishment, and if I were to take herbs in any more potent form than tea, I’d talk to my doctor about it, because modern medicine is awesome and herbs are real. I never recommend that my doula clients take herbs without talking to their doc or midwife, because, again, plants act on the body in real ways.

So. The chai. I got all of the ingredients from my local YES! Market and mixed it up in about five minutes. It’s got all the usual chai suspects (green cardamom, cloves, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon stick, black tea) along with new chai friends dandelion root and oats.

The dandelion root has a slightly bitter, roasty flavor that goes well with the malty Irish breakfast tea in the chai, and has great liver-supporting benefits. I stole the idea of adding dandelion to chai from Portland Apothecary, but dandelion has been used in hot drinks and as a coffee substitute forever.

The oats are a cool trick-- they give the chai a slightly opaque, milky look and mouthfeel without the addition of dairy. This tea tastes aromatic, warming, creamy, and just the tiniest bit bitter—perfect with a tablespoon of honey.

Dandelion Oat Chai
-One part each each fennel seeds, cloves, and black peppercorns
-Two parts each Irish breakfast tea, dried dandelion root, rolled oats, and green cardamom pods
-One star anise for every serving
-One crushed cinnamon stick for every three servings

Mix together and store in an airtight jar. To prepare tea, add one tablespoon of chai per serving, one cup of water, and a few coins of fresh ginger to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for seven minutes. Strain, and serve hot with honey!






A few extra notes and resources: I really like Rosemary Gladstar's thoughts on herbal immunity, as well as the People's Pharmacy resources on home remedies. I always start my research with this comprehensive guide to drug-herb-vitamin interactions. Finally, a workshop with local herbalist Holley Poole-Kavana of Little Red Bird Botanicals was so helpful and fun.

2.10.2015

The Grandma Look


Last week I was invited to spend the morning with a rad extended family in Silver Spring, hanging out, snapping pictures, and playing MagnaTiles. 

The whole session was really fun and full of love, but there was something about the two little girls and their grandma that kept pulling on my lens. These three are magic together-- they just melt into one another and the joy and ease they find in each other’s physical presence is palpable. 

Our grandma used to look at us like that: pure love, wonder, and patience. The slow joy of watching something amazing unfold. I'm telling you-- these are three lucky women.
















2.03.2015

My Newborn Supply List for the Uninitiated-- Useful Things with Stupid Names



I've been getting lots questions of late from clients, friends, and family regarding baby swag-- specifically, which items to be sure and have in the house when a newborn arrives. I'm not going to lie, I have many opinions about this-- mostly about what NOT to buy-- so when I sat down to make a definitive list of recommended items and brands, I was surprised by how LONG it is. That's because babies are very small tyrants, and most items we own are designed to offset some sort of tyrannical contingency like Hungry Now, Won't Sleep, Full of Boogers, or Destroyer of Nipples. This is one the many reasons that I not only LOVE, but also LIKE, all babies. In any case, I tried to limit the list to things parents will use almost every day, and things that are not dumb or belittling to woman and infants.

Also, when I sat down to make a Pinterest Board of all my favorite brands, I was also surprised by how bougie it is, but that's probably because I'm the only one who hasn't figured out yet that I'm a hipster. In any case, I hasten to remark that ALMOST ALL of these items can be purchased secondhand for a fraction of the cost, and in awesome condition. 

I would also like to acknowledge again that some of these items have very stupid names. There is nothing I can do about that. As far as my local-hipster-heritage brand preferences, there is also almost always a more affordable alternative, usually availble on Amazon. You'll also notice I left off clothes, because no parent should ever buy baby clothes ever. You will be drowning in hand-me-downs.  Also, babies look best naked anyway. Just like the rest of us.

So-- here it is: My definitive list of debatably essential baby swag. Pinterest Board is linked below. Happy accessorizing! 

Breastfeeding
  • My Brest Friend pillow. Horrible name, awesome pillow. Provides a nice firm, flat surface for nursing.
  • Nursing pads, nipple cream, soothie gel pads
  • Spit rags (I use cheap flat prefold diapers)
  • Huge water cup with straw
  • Nursing bras and tanks (wait until milk comes in and get fitted in person if possible)
  • Nipple cream (I like Mother Love)
  • Supplements: (fenugreek, Traditional Medicinals Milk Tea, brewer’s yeast tablets, flax seed meal). CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST—all of these are generally safe for ingestion through breast milk, but it’s important to check to be sure that none of these supplements will aggravate your specific allergies or interact with any other medications you may be on.

Bottlefeeding
  • Bottles: I like Evenflo glass, Dr. Brown's, Comotomo, and Avent BPA Free.
  • Dish washer cage or pot sterilization kit for bottle
  • Bottle drying rack
  • On-the go formula dispenser
  • Spit/poop rags (I use cheap flat prefold diapers)
Carrying
  • A car seat: The truth is that all car seats are crash –tested to the same safety standards, so choose the best one for your car and carrying needs.
  • Stretch wrap like Moby or Solly Baby for newborn-12 months
  • A soft structured carrier like Catbird or Ergo for 3 months- 3 year
Sleeping
  • Place for baby to sleep that is on not your or in your bed (crib, co-sleeper, bassinet)
  • White noise machine
  • Muslin swaddle blankets (4).
  • Velcro swaddler like Miracle Blanket (start with one or two)
  • Blanket Sack for winter and fall babies
Health and Hygiene
  • Nail scissors
  • Coconut oil (for massage, moisturizing, cradle cap)
  • Thermometer (rectal or temporal)
  • Nosefrida
  • Baby ayr nasal saline
  • Diaper cream
  • Diapers and wipes
  • Dresser top changing pad
  • Somewhere to bathe baby—lots of options here as well!


Follow anna's board For my doula clients: this is the baby stuff you actually need! on Pinterest.

1.25.2015

The Love Chorus: Saturday Morning Family Time with Twins Babes and a Toddler

A plump, perfect pair of twins. A sassy and proud big brother who greets them with, "I'm home, my babies!" each day when he returns from school. Two grateful, exhausted, deeply in-love parents who call it "the love chorus" when both infants cry at the same time. Snuggles, feeding, some playtime with the Fuji Instax, and a banjo concert from big bro.  It doesn't get any better, ya'll.