Toxic Pesticides from GM Food Found in Unborn Babies

By Jonathan Cho

Medical researchers at the University of Sherbrooke Hospital Centre in Quebec found that toxic pesticides used on genetically modified crops and animal feed entered and remained in the bodies of pregnant women and fed into their unborn babies through the umbilical cord.

Among the sample of pregnant women in the study, 93% tested positive for the pesticides, and 80% tested positive for them in their umbilical cords.  The source of these pesticide residues were determined to be diet, specifically the consumption of conventionally-grown grains, fruits and vegetables, along with meat from livestock fed genetically modified, conventionally-grown feed.

While the researchers did not make definite conclusions about the health consequences of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and pesticide residue on the women and their babies, GMOs and pesticides have been linked to a plethora of often severe side effects, including birth defects, miscarriages, endocrine system disruptions, allergies, tumors, and cancer.  A study involving the effects of GMO food on rats produced rats with tumors large enough to deform their bodies, visible here, in addition to severe organ damage and premature death.

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Vegan Chewy Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Chocolate Chips + (1/3 Cup Chocolate Chips optional)
1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
4 Tbsp Coconut Oil
4 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
2 Ener-G Eggs (or flax eggs)
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup All Purpose Whole Wheat Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Vanilla
1/4 Cup Almond Milk

Directions:Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350F.In a double boiler, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with cocoa powder, coconut oil, and vegetable oil.In a small bowl or measuring cup, prepare Ener-G eggs. Set aside.In a medium-sized, mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.When the chocolate is completely melted, add to dry ingredients.Add the Ener-G eggs, vanilla and almond milk. Stir to combine completely. Add additional chocolate chips and stir. Pour batter and spread into lined pan. Bake until toothpick/knife inserted in centre comes out clean, about 35 – 45 minutes.

http://kitchengrrrls.blogspot.com/2013/08/chewy-chocolate-vegan-brownies.html

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Recipe of the day-Vegan Peanut Butter Pretzel Caramel Chocolate Truffles

Thanksgiving has past, and now it is time for Christmas! I love Christmas, getting together with family and decorating. I just don't like the cold.

I saw these yummy little treats as something great to serve at Christmas or even before Christmas if you have a sweet tooth.

Found this recipe at kitchengrrrls.blogspot.com

Makes 1 dozen truffles 

Ingredients:
1/4 cup natural peanut butter1 tablespoon caramel sauce (we cooked down some full-fat coconut milk and brown sugar in a pan)2 tablespoons powdered sugar1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup pretzels (gluten-free if necessary), crushed
1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
Pinch salt, optional to taste
3/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips, melted for dipping

Directions:
Combine peanut butter, caramel sauce, and sugars in a small bowl and stir until combined.  Add the crushed pretzels and peanuts (I crush mine in a plastic baggie by beating them with the back of a knife until broken down but use a food processor or other blending device if desired).  Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and fold to combine.

Roll the dough into small balls, no larger than 1/2 inch in diameter, and place them on a parchment-lined or wax-paper lined flat surface.  Tip: Do not roll the balls larger than 1/2 inch in diameter because they become much larger after you coated in chocolate, appearing to nearly double in size.  This is a truffle (one bite), not an apricot.  Roll smaller than you think and if the dough is difficult to work with, chilling it in the freezer for 15 minutes may be helpful.

Place the rolled cookie dough balls in the freezer for at least a half hour; the colder the better for the next step: dipping.

Melt chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl, heating the chocolate in 20-30 second bursts, removing from the microwave and stirring after each 20-30 second interval to encourage melting.

After the chocolate has melted, removed the chilled cookie dough balls from the freezer and place one ball into the bowl and toss it lightly with two forks in the chocolate bath.  Carefully remove the coated ball and set it down on wax or parchment paper.   If desired, sprinkle with crushed pretzels before the chocolate fully hardens.  Repeat this process with the next 11 balls.

You may need to reheat your chocolate mixture after a few balls, as it will cool down and become more difficult to work with.  Reheat in the microwave in 20 to 30 second bursts as needed.  After all the balls have been dipped, you can optionally add a drizzle of peanut butter or caramel sauce over the top.  Place the finished truffles in the freezer to fully set up for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Store extras in the refrigerator or freezer.

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Choosing a birth pool

  So I am finally in the 3rd trimester. Since we are having a water birth I have been looking at different birthing pools. We decided we just want to buy one because it is $100 to rent one from the midwife and we have to buy a liner which is around $20. Since we will be having another baby in the future we think its a good investment.

But I don't want to spend to much on it. As most ladies know birth pools are usually not cheap if you want a pretty good one. I have three different ones that I am looking at.

The Oasis which is the cheapest out of all of them. I'm kind of hesitant on that one, I want to make sure the sides are sturdy enough to lean against. I can't really find any reviews on this one.

 But yourwaterbirth.com has a package with the pool, liner and all the stuff you need. This one is $99.23
Oasis Basic System



Or the La Bassine with custom fit liner  $166.25. Which does not come with accessories, which the good kit is $75.00. I've found good reviews on this one.

La Bassine with custom fit liner

Or there is birth pool in a box mini with liner and no accessories, which is $180.00.

Birth pool in a box mini

So I'm not sure which one we are going to go with.. We will let you know

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Recipe of the day-Vegan Fudge

I used to love fudge before I went vegan. I always looked forward to going to my Great Grandmas during Christmas time, she made the best fudge. I thought my fudge filled days were over, but they are not! I made some vegan fudge little over a year ago but the recipe was difficult. I found this great recipe at
Ohmyveggies.com

Check out her blog!

ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (room temperature, not melted)
• 1/3 cup raw hazelnuts
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Fleur de sel or cacao nibs for topping (optional)

instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in your food processor and process until mixture is completely smooth. This might take several minutes, kind of like when you make nut butter. Be patient! Transfer the fudge mixture to a small rectangular baking dish that's been lined with parchment paper and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer. Sprinkle tops with fleur de sel or cacao nibs, if using. Refrigerate until solid, then remove the fudge from the baking dish and cut into squares.

notes

Store the fudge in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freezer. If you freeze it, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

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Making your own Laundry Soap

  Deciding to make your own laundry detergent is an easy way to get rid of a lot of chemicals you put on your skin from regular laundry detergent, it's also cheaper.

  Conventional laundry detergent is loaded with chemicals like sulfates, fragrances, phenols and a lot more.

All you need to make your own laundry soap is three simple ingredients that you can get at pretty much any store.

Baking soda
Borax
Bar soap

Baking soda and Borax should be available at your grocery store in the laundry isle. Natural bar soap like Dr. Bronners you can find at a natural store, or some grocery stores have it in their organic natural isle. Or you can order it online.

So what's in these three things you ask?

Borax- is a naturally occurring mineral made up of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. It is an ingredient in most of the natural soaps available now

Baking soda- sometimes called sodium carbonate or soda ash, is made from common salt and limestone or found as natural deposits.

Dr. Bronners soap- are fair trade and made with vegetable castille soap and pure organic oils.

To Make powdered laundry soap:

1. Grate the bar soap or mix in food processor until finely ground. Use the soap of your choice. I personally use Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Bar Soap because of its exceptional quality, and because it is available in several different natural scents like lavender, tea tree, peppermint, almond and others.
2. In a large bowl, mix 2 parts washing soda, 2 parts Borax and 1 part grated soap. (Add a few teaspoons of baking soda if desired).
3. Store in closed container. I keep mine in quart or half gallon mason jars. If you are using a big enough container, you can skip step 2 and just put all ingredients in storage container or jar and shake.
4. Use 1/8 to 1/4 cup per load of laundry.

To make liquid Laundry Soap:

1. Grate one bar of soap with cheese grater or food processor.
2. Put grated soap in pan with 2 quarts water and gradually heat, stirring constantly until soap is completely dissolved.
3. Put 4.5 gallons of really hot tap water in a 5-gallon bucket (available for free in bakeries at grocery stores, just ask them) and stir in 1 cup of borax and 1 cup ofWashing Soda until completely dissolved.
4. Pour soap mixture from pan into 5-gallon bucket. Stir well.
5. Cover and leave overnight.
6. Shake or stir until smooth and pour into gallon jugs or other containers.
7. Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load.

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Mother directed pushing

  When I had my first son, I said those 4 magic words I need to push! I remember the nurses taking out this big light from the ceiling, going to get the doctor, everyone was running around. Then they pushed my legs up and started yelling at me to push. Then to wait and to push again. I got lucky and only had to push for 15 minutes before my son was born, but I was so tired.
  At that time I had no idea about mother directed pushing. This pregnancy I have definitely done a lot more research. I first heard about mother directed pushing reading my Hypnobabies book. From there I researched and researched.

I found a few great articles.

Pushing During Childbirth- Spontaneous or Directed

When pushing turns purple: What's a Doula to do?

To Push or not to push

Pushing

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