By VERONIQUE GREENWOOD from NYT Health https://nyti.ms/2Kjr0t5
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Friday, May 31, 2019
The Human Foot Is An Evolutionary Disaster
The Human Foot Is An Evolutionary Disaster
If there was some divine creator involved in the design of man, they were really calling it in when they made the foot.
May 31, 2019 at 12:06PM
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Thursday, May 30, 2019
Making my own life-work manifesto
Lately I have been feeling very disillusioned with the academic life. I mean, I’ve always intellectually known that our reach is often short, our work ignored and overlooked, and our lifestyles completely overrun by our work. But recently, I have been feeling it more, and feeling more dissatisfied about it. Then a few things happened that pushed me to become clearer about what kind of life I want to lead. Some of these things were positive: reconnecting with an aunt and uncle, achieving some work goals, having a baby, hearing Wangari Maathai and Joanna Macy interviewed for example. Some were negative: fellow blogger Rachel Held-Evans died at age 37, I became disillusioned with the reach of academic work in some recent projects, I worked instead of having full paid maternity leave. Over the last few months I have been considering what I would want to have as my legacy — either at 70 or 90 like Maathai and Macy, or in my 30s like Held-Evans.
- I want to be a kind, warm, caring, attentive, wise person, who makes people around me feel good about themselves and at the same time, want to be better. Recently I spent some time with people who fit this description, and every time I spoke with them, I felt like fully held and heard, accepted and important without having to do anything. There are other people in my life like this, in my beautiful people collection, but I guess I hadn’t really thought about being like this. Listening to Wangari Maathai and Joanna Macy’s interviews on On Being back to back touched me deeply. Those two woman are what I want to be like when I am old, if I get to be. They are wise, grounded, generous, sharp in the smart sense, gentle, warm. Can I be like this and be an academic? I think so, since Maathai obviously was. But I don’t know if this was their goal or an outcome of focusing on what they needed to do for their other ecological missions.
- I want to make a difference in the world beyond my interpersonal relationships and my academic work, as a writer. I have been thinking about this a lot while collaborating with others, both about what works and in what ways I want to do things differently. I am most passionate about ecological healing and the human change required for that to happen, and that has been the driving force of my studies since I was about 8 or 9 years old. I did my first speeches at school on turtles (and saving them); erosion (and deforestation); disposable nappies (and their horrific lifespans). Identifying an audience and the best way to do this is important to me, because I seem to have got stuck in a bubble of people who agree with me, and also, I feel quite disillusioned with whether being a writer actually influences anything at all. There are so many words written already, so why write more? And will anyone ever read them? These are questions I am still working out. How do I decide what is important to do for myself, rather than just doing everything other people are doing so I can feel included and therefore important?
- I want to provide a loving, safe, organised, warm home for myself and my family, as well as meaningful life shaping experiences, leading my kids into independence in their everyday life, their relationships and their spirituality. Here I think of the earning side of my job, which is important for me to provide for my family. I could not be a full time writer in New Zealand, I believe, I need to make a regular income as the earner in our family. Which does mean continuing to take my academic progression seriously. But I also think of the kind of mother I want to be, present, and connected. And my work as an academic often works against that. Even when I am home I am thinking about other things, or doing them. I am distracted so often, and although working and organising our lives is also a way of loving and providing for them, I do prefer just enjoying being connected too. So often we often end up living a kind of mundane existence and not thinking through our short term comfort and its cost on the long term goals of our family. For example, how do we teach children about the planet, life, God, other people? What small life admin steps do we need to put in place to make these goals realities? How do I continue the great rhythms and holding patterns that we have begun? (I’m enjoying the tips from the book Simplicity Parenting at the moment)
- I want to step up and take care of myself: body, soul, mind, spirit — because without health and wellbeing in myself, I can’t do any of the above well. This includes the cliches of setting healthy boundaries, taking responsibility for my own health even if it means not meeting someone’s immediate needs for a while, and making daily decisions that contribute to the long terms goals of being a healthy person. This actually gets easier for me the older I get, and the more children I have: there is no possible way to meet everyone’s needs before taking care of what I need to do, and there is no way anyone else is going to do it for me! However, I do easily fall into work panic patterns, where I feel so behind than even my 5 minute workouts from Sharny and Julius seem too impossible, let alone a real one hour yoga session.
That’s it. Seems pretty simple. Can I use this manifesto to help me make good decisions over the next few years and into the future? One of the steps has to been to set limits on the amount of voluntary work I do in my job (see here and here), to make space for other voluntary work in the community and for time to make our homelife nurturing for our four children. In the near future I also want to return to a regular centreing prayer/meditation practice like I had in 2017 to help with the feeling of overwhelm. Apparently it actually changes your brain!!
Thanks to Stephen Healy for suggesting I turn these thoughts into a blog post. Now everyone in the world can hold me accountable … !
from parenting-and-homelife « WordPress.com Tag Feed http://bit.ly/2JMnjwz
via Lactation news on mothersmilk4babyshealth
Scientists Genetically Modify Fungus To Kill Mosquitoes That Spread Malaria
Scientists Genetically Modify Fungus To Kill Mosquitoes That Spread Malaria
The modified fungus produces spider toxin that rapidly kills mosquitoes, raising hopes for a new weapon to fight a disease that sickens millions. But not everyone is convinced.
May 30, 2019 at 06:11PM
via Digg https://n.pr/2Wfi3s9
Sperm Counts Are Falling. This Isn't The Reproductive Apocalypse — Yet
Sperm Counts Are Falling. This Isn't The Reproductive Apocalypse — Yet
Seven questions about declining sperm counts you were too afraid to ask.
May 30, 2019 at 06:11PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2Iecpg6
A Morbidly Fascinating Explanation Of How Leprosy Works
A Morbidly Fascinating Explanation Of How Leprosy Works
Millions across the world are still afflicted with the pernicious bacterial infection and yet there is still so much about how the disease operates that scientists simply don't know.
May 30, 2019 at 06:05PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/30UYUds
Breastfeeding Tips, Tricks, Struggles and Must-haves.
Breastfeeding was such an amazing experience for me as a new mother but it did not come without the struggles! I breastfed for roughly almost 16 months until I had to get Wisdom teeth surgery and the nurse told me I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed for 72 hours. I was slightly heartbroken because I didn’t know and was not prepared to just stop cold turkey after breastfeeding for over a year.
My child did not just breastfeed, she cluster fed meaning she was always on the boob. As exhausting as that was I enjoyed being her comfort and lord did it make nap time easier.
My breast milk came in a day or so after giving birth and it was like I had received a free boob job. They looked awesome until of course one side was emptied and then all of the breastfeeding memes that I had giggled at came back to haunt me.
About a month after I had my daughter I lost weight pretty quickly. I actually lost weight a little too fast because I had no appetite and breastfeeding made me nauseous. I ended up having many drops in my supply and tried many things to get it where it needed to be even though my breast milk had a low fat content.
This was about four months post party compared to 36 weeks pregnant.
There’s three things that REALLY boosted my milk supply despite my weight loss fluctuations.
1. Oatmeal PB lactation bites
So these cookies are no bake, super simple to make and as delicious as they are effective.
My tweaked recipe is: Take a cup of peanut butter, flax seeds, a cup of oatmeal, a lot of honey, sugar and white chocolate chips and mix them together in a bowl.
Then roll them into little bite sized balls and plop them in the fridge for about an hour.
I lived off of these for a few months because they were so good and really did the trick.
2. Increasing water intake and eating small frequent meals. I call it the bird diet. Fruit, veggies, granola, etc. just eat every other hour or so something small and healthy.
3. Pumping in between sessions. Pumping wasn’t pleasant but by pumping in between sessions I was able to boost my supply and have a lot of milk stored in the freezer!
The main things I struggled with while breastfeeding was the leaking milk, Booby bites and clogged ducts.
Breast pads were a life saver! My boobs did not just leak, they would spray in nine different directions at once, one time at a photo shoot I had to go without my breast pads for an hour and well I missed my child. Long story short, the photographer got sprayed and my lingerie was SOAKED.
My child was a booby biter. She would also pinch my under boob and twist my other nipple while she fed. Some days I cried, exhaustion didn’t help. Other days, I just firmly said no mam and removed her from the boob for a few minutes. Mittens helped a lot! That is until she could take them off. It is something that is bound to happen, I tried googling how to make it stop but google articles said to try pushing her face into my boob which I was NOT okay with. Please don’t do that.
Now, clogged ducts. Yippee! These hurt like a *****.
Warm shower while massaging the duct, warm compresses and pumping helped relieve the pain and the clog itself. Watch out for infections and a fever.
So why breastfeed if it can be painful and irritating? Well. To put it simply it gives your child one hell of an immune system. Our bodies are so amazing and our breast milk actually produces special antibodies that the baby needs for example if the child is sick. My milk would change colors which indicated that my body was producing extra healing nutrients.
Also, it is FREEEEEEEEEEEEE. Besides the breast pads and other breastfeeding necessities.
Breastfeeding also releases the hormone Oxytocin which is amazing for bonding and is also known as the “love drug” or “cuddle hormone”. It can be super beneficial to moms struggling with post part in depression and it can help to bond the mother and child. I’m sure Mother’s bond just fine with formula but breastfeeding is a completely different experience.
When it comes to breastfeeding and sleep I personally coslept. Breast milk is digested faster than formula so in my case my child literally fed almost every other hour until she was almost one. As rough as it was, it was worth it.
If you are cosleeping and you don’t want your child to roll off of the bed (it happened to me and I felt like the worst mother in the entire world) then I recommend you take one side off of the crib and push it against your bed. We don’t have a bed frame and made sure that a body pillow was tightly in between the crack to prevent baby from falling in between. That way when the baby is asleep and you want your body back, you can lay him or her on their side of the bed safely in the crib. 
Yes. I removed ALL pillows and blankets and stuffed animals before my child was placed in it.
Another tip is if you are a mommy on a budget and need some good nursing bras check local goodwills!!
If you breastfeed I totally recommend a Boppy pillow. It will help your arms to be less tired and it’s also great for tummy time.
When it comes to breastfeeding in public whip that boob out and use it the way nature intended you too. If anyone has a problem with you using your boobs to feed your child then place a blanket over their head.
If you are a new mommy or a mommy to be I hope that this article helps you. If you have any questions or need advice on breastfeeding message me directly.
from lactation « WordPress.com Tag Feed http://bit.ly/2W0VK4v
article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
All-American Despair
All-American Despair
For the past two decades, a suicide epidemic fueled by guns, poverty and isolation has swept across the West, with middle-aged men dying in record numbers.
May 30, 2019 at 12:45PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2wrVotj
Eating Way Too Much Rice Almost Doomed Japan's Imperial Navy
Eating Way Too Much Rice Almost Doomed Japan's Imperial Navy
After the war, the Emergency Beriberi Investigative Committee investigated the disease's devastation of Japanese ranks.
May 30, 2019 at 11:36AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2wuZdxG
Simone Giertz Recounts What Radiation Therapy Is Like — Oh, And Makes A Lamp From The Mask She Had To Wear
Simone Giertz Recounts What Radiation Therapy Is Like — Oh, And Makes A Lamp From The Mask She Had To Wear
The net's favorite vlogger/maker/master of sh**ty robots has been pretty candid about her experience going through treatment for a brain tumor, and she's not about to toss out a relic of all that time spent getting better.
May 30, 2019 at 10:20AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2QCkzCv
When Is Dead Actually Dead?
When Is Dead Actually Dead?
As a doctor, I can keep somebody breathing even after brain death. How do I make the final call?
May 30, 2019 at 09:09AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2XeN2AR
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Measles for the One Percent
Measles for the One Percent
Vaccines, Waldorf schools and the problem with liberal Luddites.
May 29, 2019 at 10:28AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2JMad2i
How Tech Helped Create A New Erectile Dysfunction Crisis
How Tech Helped Create A New Erectile Dysfunction Crisis
Startups are exploiting the market Viagra created, but experts are wary.
May 29, 2019 at 07:47AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2VXpaQH
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Nation's first opioid trial could set precedent for massive pharma payouts
Nation's first opioid trial could set precedent for massive pharma payouts
A trial kicking off in Norman, Oklahoma, on Tuesday will provide an unprecedented examination of how the country spiraled into a devastating opioid epidemic — and could indicate to what degree drug companies accused of fueling the crisis will be held responsible in hundreds of other lawsuits still pending across the country.
May 28, 2019 at 08:41PM
via Digg https://politi.co/2Wd4CsH
We need worms
We need worms
You might think they are disgusting. But our war against intestinal worms has damaged our immune systems and mental health.
May 28, 2019 at 08:41PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2EH9f3j
Is 'Gaming Disorder' An Illness? WHO Says Yes, Adding It To Its List Of Diseases
Is 'Gaming Disorder' An Illness? WHO Says Yes, Adding It To Its List Of Diseases
They are popular. They are controversial. And now, video games have just become an internationally recognized addiction.
May 28, 2019 at 08:41PM
via Digg https://n.pr/2W7zLNY
I'm Obese. I Want A Healthy Lifestyle. But It's Often Inaccessible To Disabled People Like Me
I'm Obese. I Want A Healthy Lifestyle. But It's Often Inaccessible To Disabled People Like Me
Diet and exercise are especially challenging for disabled people.
May 28, 2019 at 07:27PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2WrsBUh
I Got Terribly Sick And Made A Full Recovery. Here's What I Learned
I Got Terribly Sick And Made A Full Recovery. Here's What I Learned
Explaining the various ways in which I was lucky takes us into both the health-care system — a policy wonk with a brain bleed is still a wonk — and matters far less economic.
May 28, 2019 at 05:01PM
via Digg https://wapo.st/2XjXOWo
Banned bread: why does the US allow banned additives that Europe says are unsafe?
Banned bread: why does the US allow banned additives that Europe says are unsafe?
China, Brazil and members of the EU have weighed the potential risks and outlawed chemicals found in US loaves.
May 28, 2019 at 02:15PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2W0NiSQ
Three Comedians On How They Cope With Their Depression
Three Comedians On How They Cope With Their Depression
"Sometimes the audience is laughing and they don't even realize that this is painful — they're laughing at your pain, which for some reason feels good."
May 28, 2019 at 11:17AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2X9nLrX
How Many Bones Would You Break to Get Laid?
How Many Bones Would You Break to Get Laid?
"Incels" are going under the knife to reshape their faces and dating prospects.
May 28, 2019 at 08:46AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2JIcn2Z
Monday, May 27, 2019
Sunday, May 26, 2019
The Secret To The Longevity Of These Japanese May Be The Alcohol They Drink
The Secret To The Longevity Of These Japanese May Be The Alcohol They Drink
Turns out the recipe for living a long, healthy life is one helluva good drink.
May 26, 2019 at 06:00PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2YSrHxM
This Is What It Was Like To Perform Abortions Before Roe
This Is What It Was Like To Perform Abortions Before Roe
A former underground provider explains the past — and possible future — of abortion in America.
May 26, 2019 at 02:00PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2HCNgMG
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Women Are Happier Without Children Or A Spouse, Says Happiness Expert
Women Are Happier Without Children Or A Spouse, Says Happiness Expert
We may have suspected it already, but now the science backs it up: unmarried and childless women are the happiest subgroup in the population. And they are more likely to live longer than their married and child-rearing peers, according to a leading expert in happiness.
May 25, 2019 at 03:41PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2HRKQc6
What Is ASMR Really Doing To Your Brain? A Neuroscientist Explains
What Is ASMR Really Doing To Your Brain? A Neuroscientist Explains
It sounds good but what is happening inside your brain when you hear it?
May 25, 2019 at 12:42PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2JDg2z5
Ranking Hot Dogs By How (Un)healthy They Are
Ranking Hot Dogs By How (Un)healthy They Are
Veggie Dogs? Turkey Dogs? Kosher Dogs? Which is contaminated with the least amount of scrap metal?
May 25, 2019 at 11:34AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2M6Qr3z
Friday, May 24, 2019
The Politics of Going to the Bathroom
The Politics of Going to the Bathroom
Access to adequate restrooms is a fundamental necessity for everyone, but it's harder to come by the less structural power you have.
May 24, 2019 at 12:50PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2JBLg9H
A Trail Of Toxicity: The US Military Bases Making People Sick
A Trail Of Toxicity: The US Military Bases Making People Sick
In Colorado Springs, businesses are suing the military for perfluorinated compounds, which some are calling "Agent Orange 2.0."
May 24, 2019 at 07:34AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2K9Bsn9
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Laws in Georgia, Alabama Spark Interest in Mail-Order Abortions
Laws in Georgia, Alabama Spark Interest in Mail-Order Abortions
Sites that offer information on self-administering abortion pills have seen spikes in inquiries.
May 23, 2019 at 07:59PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2HQrELW
The Obscure Exercise Technique Changing Injury Rehab
The Obscure Exercise Technique Changing Injury Rehab
How blood flow restriction became the hottest method in physical therapy.
May 23, 2019 at 05:46PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2JCI6m4
Warmer Offices Are Better for Women
Warmer Offices Are Better for Women
As their goosebumps have long suggested, women perform better on tests of cognitive function at toastier room temperatures.
May 23, 2019 at 10:01AM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2VZFFRm
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
The Mother Who Contracted Flesh-Eating Disease, But Refused To Give Up
The Mother Who Contracted Flesh-Eating Disease, But Refused To Give Up
Lindsey Hubley contracted flesh-eating disease right after giving birth to her son. But she hasn't let amputation or any other serious medical challenges stop her from working to be his mother.
May 22, 2019 at 04:43PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2VWwZuY
Why We Can Experience Pain Out Of Proportion To An Injury
Why We Can Experience Pain Out Of Proportion To An Injury
For centuries, scientists believed that pain and damage went hand-in-hand, but recent science suggests otherwise.
May 22, 2019 at 02:47PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2X8z2sc
Embracing Ecstasy
Embracing Ecstasy
Can efforts to bottle MDMA's magic transform psychiatry?
May 22, 2019 at 12:28PM
via Digg http://bit.ly/2VX7SrM
How to increase your breast milk supply
Tips I’ve personally tried and are actually working
Having a low milk supply is quite a common problem among women everywhere. And sometimes this can lead to some of us giving up breastfeeding because of the decrease in milk supply.
As mummies we want the best for our babies(and honestly, the alternative can be expensive). With trying to adjust to a life with a new baby and recuperating from the miracle of giving birth, it can be taxing to give yourself the care you deserve to breastfeed successfully.
Once I went throught all of this, and desperately spent a lot of time on the internet researching on how to increase my breast milk supply. I made a list, tried a few hacks and Voilà my milk supply increased just like that. Now, sometimes when making lists and desperately wanting to see results you tend to try too many ways that you actually don’t know for sure which ones did work and which ones don’t. So in case your like me, learn from my mistakes.
If you’re a first time mama, having a baby and taking care of it can be SO overwhelming. As new parents, you find yourself anxious about every thing you don’t understand. You assume there is an issue. So you’re constantly on the internet searching and feeding your assumptions ( I know, I’ve been there).
Sound like anyone you know? Totally normal
So here are some tips I’m currently using with my 3 month old;
1.Breastfeed
Yes, you heard me breastfeeding often can lead to an increase in your milk supply especially in the early days after delivery. You should breastfeed your baby at least 8 times a day, switching him from one breast to another. I try to offer each breast twice in one feeding.
2. Check your latch
I will admit, my first time breastfeeding did not come naturally to me. A bad latch means your baby is not feeding efficiently and can get really painful for you as well. Position your little one straight facing your chest, help him latch making sure his mouth get most of the bottom part of your areola for a good latch which will stimulate the milk production.
Here’s a video I found helpful in learning to properly latch;
3. Stay hydrated
Getting enough fluids for a breastfeeding mama is really important. Make sure you take foods with high water content like smoothies, soups, salads, fruits and plain old water!
Personally I like to snack on watermelon through out the day, and my salads have a good amount of cucumber for that extra fluid. Not only is this great for a good milk supply but it’s also healthy and will keep you feeling energised throughout the day.
4. Lactation recipes
There so many recipes promising to boost your milk production on the internet that work. All so delicious and ready to kick start your breastfeeding journey. I really hope you love them, happy breastfeeding mamas.
These here are our very own East African swahili recipes;
Cornmeal Porridge (uji wa sembe)
This is my favourite recipe option for breakfast instead of the normal oatmeal one. It is so good and the cool part I’ve had the chance to tweak it to make my own yummy porridge, a real treat for your tastebuds.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 cups coconut milk
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 cup cornmeal (unga wa sembe)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sugar, adjust to taste
- 1/4 cup butter
INSTRUCTIONS;
- Add about 2 cups water and 2 cups coconut milk to a heavy large saucepan. Throw in ½ stick cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil.
- Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, until you have add the whole thing in the pot, a little bit at a time and keep stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent any lumps.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens about 15 minutes.
- Add flavoring vanilla extract, salt, sugar and melted butter.
- Adjust consistency with coconut and/or water if desired.
- Turn off the heat. Serve piping hot with extra nutmeg,
NOTES:
Be sure to stir the porridge frequently during cooking to avoid any lumps in your porridge.
You can substitute the coconut milk with full cream milk
Adjust flavorings and milk to taste.
Swahili Plantain Soup (mtori)
This plaintain soup recipe is vegan and full of cozy spices, like ginger and turmeric. It’s a healthy green banana soup that’s easy and totally bursting with flavour.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 large green plaintain
- 6 medium garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tsp ground ginger, grated or crushed
- 6 tbsp extra-virgin coconut oil
- 1 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large red onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot
- 4 to 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp cilantro
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Paprika, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS;
Put the oil in a large pot and add in the finely chop the onion and cook on medium heat.
After a few minutes, add in the crushed garlic, cumin, cilantro and grated ginger and stir.
Peel the plaintains and carrots and cut them into medium sized pieces and add to the pot.
Add the vegetable broth then add the garam masala, black pepper and turmeric, give it a good stir and bring to a simmer.
Leave to simmer for about 15 minutes, until the sweet potato and carrots are soft.
Finally add in the coconut milk and simmer for another 5 minutes
When they are soft, use a hand blender or food processor to blitz into to a creamy consistency. If you like your soup a little thinner, add some more water.
Serve while hot!
NOTES:
You can add the juice of one lime (optional) and serve! It will keep in the fridge in an air tight container for 3-5 days.
from lactation « WordPress.com Tag Feed http://bit.ly/2wd5mi7
article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
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