I'm Still Here!

I've been itching to blog and write, but the takeyourbabytowork theme was losing its appeal as we no longer have a baby, and she mainly goes to preschool and only sometimes comes to work.

So come and visit me here:

http://insidethepolishedapple.blogspot.ca

Our polished apple-Our ideals of health, wellness, parenting, transformative lifestyle, education, what we want our life and work to be about.  Food, community, you get the idea.  

But inside?  Are we accomplishing it or how are we getting to that place?  This is our journey part and we'll be celebrating along the way!

Overall, we're now navigating bringing our family and office to a new level of transformational change.  Our family is needing to be healthier to reflect our goals and vision.  Our office has a new energy.  And through this all, we're seeing how to bring our new school (Waldorf) into both of those.  Join us!

Maker Faire and East Village

Today was inspired by our friend Kathleen. She was part of the Maker Faire held in Calgary's East Village, so we thought we'd check it out.
Robots, wool spinning, a neon-lit labyrinth, pop tab bracelets, 3-D printers, crazy costumes, Lego, a motorized chair, and more.

The food trucks were also there, but the village ice cream bike left too early, so we went for a drive to find the shop. With the thickest, yummiest ice cream!

Kombucha

I split my kombucha mother and daughter apart for the first time today. They've been growing together for about 6 weeks now. My heart is still beating a little bit too fast. I'm not sure if that's because they are so obviously ALIVE, or because it's a bit gross.

Here they are. I'm holding the mother scoby and the daughter is still in the brew.

Moms Need Chiropractic Care!

I'm pretty excited to be a guest blogger at Encourage, Empower, Educate, a blog by local Calgary doula Twila Collyer.  My blog post is Moms Need Chiropractic Care!  because don't I say that ten times a day. 

And please visit her site, but here is a copy as well:

Moms Need Chiropractic Care!



I consider it both an honor and a blessing that I have been able to share chiropractic care with pregnant moms and their new babies over my past 12 years in practice! Here are just two cases of how chiropractic care has positively impacted pregnancy.



One mom-to-be was under care with me prior to becoming pregnant, so it was a natural progression to continue care during her pregnancy. With her pregnancy, we saw increased physical symptoms as her baby weight increased, with low back and buttock pain being the most frequent. We were also able to help her with foot concerns, upper back and neck pain. These symptoms are common, as weight changes will put more strain on the spine and joints. Hormonal changes, including the effects of relaxin, will make ligaments more lax, which increases these symptoms. To increase her comfort, we adapted her adjustments by using a belly pillow so she could still like face down with no pressure on her belly or baby. I also checked her with Webster technique-to help address her pelvic balance and the soft tissues in the lower abdomen/ uterus. Moms who are concerned about the position of their baby frequently request this technique, and research has seen an 82% success rate of babies turning from breech to vertex when this technique is used. Prenatal adjustments help not only the physical position of the body and spine, but also help to balance the nervous system function to both mom and baby.



This mom had a successful home and water birth with midwives present. I have seen this mom for post-partum care, and have seen her baby from when she was a few weeks old for Pediatric Adjustments. Adjustments for the baby help to check for signs of birth trauma and help to ensure alignment and movement of the spine and optimal nervous system development.



Another mom that I have worked with started care late in her second pregnancy (about 35 weeks) as she was having intense low back/ sacroiliac pain. Adjustments helped to relieve the pain, helped her to keep up with her busy toddler, and prepared her body for the birthing process! Moms who are under care find that their labor/ birth times are shorter and are less likely to require drugs for pain relief. In her situation, receiving care was also a small piece of self-care that she was able to give herself during this busy time. Our adjustments in the office use Network Spinal Analysis, and this is an excellent tool for our practice members to learn how to release tension in their body using strategies that we develop during care. Another benefit is better response to stress and using breath to release tension in the body.



We find chiropractic care to be a safe and effective treatment for both mom and baby. Pregnancy is one of the most important times to be receiving care due to all of the changes happening in the pregnant body, and the enormous benefit it can have for baby.



For more information, please ask us about our health talks or come to one of our monthly Prenatal or Family Wellness events. More information is available at www.elanfamilywellness.com or 403 217 5577 or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ElanFamilyWellness. For information referred to in this article or to find a Prenatal/ Pediatric Chiropractor near you, visit www.icpa4kids.org.

Take Your Baby to The Tradeshow

Our Saturday afternoon at the Calgary Wellness Festival. Do I worry that one day my daughter will feel deprived spending her weekend at a Tradeshow?

One with sticker treasure hunts, puppy dogs for adoption, food trucks, coloring pages and a huge playground?

So I can find this again...
[Via: 30 Dr. Seuss Quotes to Live By] - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Dr Suess Quotes

Simple Living

I kept running into this theme, so I thought I'd make a commitment somewhere out there to simplify things...

Over at the blog http://blog.kanelstrand.com/, they are starting a Simple Living Pledge on Feb 1st. I signed up.

My laptop sits on a desk that is covered in at least 20 post-its, beside me is a pile of papers that needs to be filed, photos and my office lease..., my bulletin board has things pre-2007, pretty Christmas cards and a CARS toy. And that's just the surface of what I can see. Do you think I need to simplify? It would help my peace of mind for sure!

Straight from her site: What is Simple Living?

• Identifying what is most important for you and eliminating everything else.


• Freeing up time for doing what inspires you and being with the people you love.


• De cluttering your mind, your everyday life and your virtual life.


• Single-tasking and learning to diminish stress.


• Striving to live frugally by wanting less and buying only what is necessary.


• Slowing down and being actively present in the moment.


• Living a healthy life, including cleaning your home and your body, eating, exercising and thinking.


• Striving to be green and sustainable as much as your surroundings allow.


• Enjoying the simple pleasures of life.


• Simplifying your goals, tasks and expectations.
  

Wish me luck! I'm not counting this as a New Years Resolution by the way.

Sautéed Squash and Feta Cheese

I was feeling domestic this afternoon. We finally chopped up our back-up Halloween pumpkin and found ourselves with about 12 cups of pumpkin pieces. We tried out a new recipe from the current Pathways to Family Wellness magazine and it was yummy!

To make this meal or side dish, here's the ingredients:

1 pumpkin or butternut squash (or amount you think you want to prepare)

1 head of garlic, peeled and squashed

Onion (or 8-10 shallots)

2-3 bay leaves2 chilis (we skipped this)

12 oz feta cheese

1/2 cups nuts/seeds, toasted

Olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 355 degrees F

2. Sautée 1tbs olive oil with squash-brown but don't worry about cooking it fully

3. Add garlic, onions, oil, salt and pepper & mix

4. Bake with bay leaves for 30-40 minutes.

5. Soak chili peppers (de-seeded and diced) with oil

6. Add feta, nuts or seeds, chili oil over squash. (add when cooled if serving as a salad)

Serve either warm or cool. Enjoy!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What I've Learned So Far

About taking your baby/ little girl/ princess to work, that is...

• A three-year-old in the office will make it feel like a tornado has hit.


• You will feel 10x more exhausted than any other regular work day.


• There's a lot of cleaning involved.


• The best laid plans of day home/babysitter/etc. may end up meaning nothing if someone wants to "fight you" and fling herself into snow banks and run away instead of leaving you.


• Best to be flexible.


• Ponies and dolls and lots of snacks are necessary.


• iPad backup is still a must for that last crucial 1/2 hour.


• Or, with no toys, she will be more creative.





• People will LOVE your child at the office, "I just love it when she's here!"


• Or think you're really odd that your child is at the office, especially if they are new to the office.


• You will cringe when she attaches to your leg when you are 15 minutes late, or asks to go potty in a room full of waiting practice members.


• She will make everyone happier, sillier, and more full of smiles than you have ever seen.


• A big kids play area or rest area and full time babysitter/Nanny would be lovely, but not happening at the moment.

And I think some days, they just need to be with us, still!

Of course, we have made alternate plans by this stage of the game. Scarlett goes to a day home 2 afternoons a week, and other wise, she is still with one of us. Thanks to some creative scheduling on our parts. But the best laid plans still fall through and over December and the holidays she was at Elan more than expected. Considering that our office is up there with "playground" "park" or "bookstore" for places she likes to spend time, I think we're doing just fine.

Elephant Birthday Party

Scarlett has turned 3! Or, as she's still saying, I'm NOT 3, I'm still a little girl!
We had asked our little girl what she wanted for her birthday, and she said a PURPLE ELEPHANT PARTY! So here it is:

We decorated with a paper flag banner, origami stars, balloons and ribbons. All pink and purple of course.
One of the activities for the girls was to decorate a photo frame. Here's Scarlett's.

Pin the tail on the elephant.
Which was fun, but the favorite game appeared to be the peanut game which started out as throwing peanuts into the elephant's basket, but evolved into bouncing like a bunny as you moved one peanut from the bowl to the basket. And repeat.

Elephant sugar cookies. Which we decorated with icing and sprinkles.

Elephant decorations.

And, there was a purple elephant birthday cake, photos to come!

Staying A Little Girl

Our Little Girl is opposed to becoming a Big Girl.

The usual comment to "You're such a big girl now" after seeing how tall she is, how much she weighs, her new skills, politeness, etc, is "NO. I'm NOT a BIG GIRL. I'm a little girl."

It's most apparent in her clothes, as I've been trying to move out of season, and too-small-to-fit clothes into the basement. The trip to the basement lasts all of about 5 minutes.

She has winter boots that are 2 sizes too small that she insists on wearing. But won't put on the beautiful ones that do fit, that she even picked out herself.

She has an old striped sweater that comes halfway up her forearms, that she wears everyday. And about 4 sweaters in the right size, that she has yet to try on.

She has slippers that she has searched the house for in repeated 1/2 hour increments (I think they are buried too deep in the basement) that never fit, but now she wants, when she has a perfectly cute and in the right size bunny slippers that she used to like.

Socks-This morning we had a tantrum because I wouldn't let her wear a pair for the third day in a row. We do have socks in her size, and we have packed the latest "baby pairs" away, but they need to be in the closest where she can see them, and has requested a few specific pairs.

Yes, we wear many clothes over and over again. And yes, it is literally freezing outside and Scarlett is still wearing her favorite sundress. Over and over again. Please don't think she doesn't have a closet full of clothes. I do feed her too.

Her baby spoons are suddenly upstairs and are her favorite toy.

Books-I've tried to put some younger aged books away-and not her favorites but ones she never liked-but suddenly we have to read them to her everyday, over and over again.

Toys are the same. Anything I try to put away becomes her instant favorite.

Panties-she's practically toilet trained but clings to her pull-ups. This from the little girl who used to refuse a diaper and wanted panties.

It is a daily struggle at the moment and I do realize that I should relish her being a little girl for as long as we can, because it will be gone in an instant. But can someone cover her belly when she's playing outside and her clothes don't cover her?

So many decisions-do I change my language with her? give her the responsibility to put things away and make it really exciting to do so? limit her choices? change the definition of being a big girl? bring the "little-girl-clothes-fairy" to visit? keep talking about growing up? cut the praise?

Any more advice?

Of course, she is a wonderful, funny, charming, beautiful, almost 3 year old, LITTLE GIRL, but I have to laugh at how funny she looks when she comes out in PJ's that barely button up, reach her knees, and she's pulling them down every 30 seconds. Our poor little girl.

I Chickened Out!

I had a chance last week to challenge myself in combining parenting with work. A play group for kids combined with a presentation for the moms.

I did a practice run on Tuesday. Scarlett came to the playgroup and had a blast. She played in a bouncy castle, with balls, and blocks, and other kids, and fell in love with a "fishy train" (Ride on train in a Finding Nemo style). She loved the train too much, and we ended the play group by dragging her out shoe-less and crying for the fishy train. And then I heard about the fishy train for the next couple of days, and she dragged her own train to the office, onto the couch, anywhere we would let her.

What did I do while she was playing? I tried to listen to that day's presenter, Lisa Kathleen of Full Circle Parenting. (Wonderful advice! and did I get to hear barely any of it?).

Thursday came and I was scheduled to speak on Chiropractic for Pregnant Moms and Babies. While the kids play group was on. That's when I chickened out and sent Scarlett to work with her dad so I could think at the same time that I was speaking.

I would have loved to have seen if I could have juggled it, but I probably guessed right, that it was a little out of my league.

If you'd like to check out the playgroups and see who is speaking, just ask at Leela Eco Spa and Studio & Enjoy!

Take Your Baby to Yoga Class

Yoga in Bowness (www.yogainbowness.com) is currently offering yoga in the park. I finally made it to my first class this week, with Scarlett, of course.






It may not have been my most zen class, but I still had a good workout for the 3/4 of class that I completed.
Plus there was a little bit of "animal" yoga, ring around the rosy, fighting for my mat, dis-assembling of my wallet, games on the iPhone, and a 2 year old on my back when I was in plank position. Snacks and water.
I had asked prior if it was ok if she came, and I think the other yogis were very tolerant. Doesn't it up the level of concentration by having more distractions?
I will be back to class, with or without Scarlett, I haven't decided. I like her being outside and exposed to the practice, but her patience is that of a 2 year old (or 2 and 3/4 year old).
Maybe we should all practice yoga like a 2 year old-Scarlett had the most fun and the most smiles out of everyone there.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Morning Routine

I'm creating this post for the sole purpose of finding this Waldorf post again (as bookmarks and I lose each other).

Plus it would be a dream of mine to have such a peaceful morning.

http://themagiconions.blogspot.com/2011/08/discovering-waldorf-morning-rhythm.html

My morning today...

Scarlett clinging to me as I got out of bed (yes, she's taken to crawling in with us in the middle of the night). In fact, only letting me get out of my bed with her attached to me.

Showering with Scarlett poking at me through the shower curtain. Not too sure why. She usually doesn't need to be in the room with me.

Scarlett and Scott on the couch watching cartoons and playing with the iPad.

Breakfast? I think she drank some smoothie before I left the house.

Clothes? Still in yesterday's ice cream dress, which was also covered with raspberries. We're going through some opposition to pajamas and some opposition in general. "Not today" is her newest phrase for when she doesn't want to do something.

That's all-I went to work. When I saw her again she was sweetly dressed in a clean purple dress and looked scrubbed and brushed, and was fed. What more could I want?

July in Pictures

I affectionately think of this post as, "A repost of my Facebook photos." But it sums up what we've been up to this month-Canada Day celebrations in Salmon Arm, Stampede Breakfasts complete with face painting, plays in the backyard and at the parks. I needed to play with my phone and the camera settings anyways.

Introvert Meets Strangers

Scott and I were talking about this today. I am a true introvert- on personality testing and just day to day observance. I like my own space, recharge at home, have a lot of internal dialogue, ask questions to keep the focus off of me, you get the idea.

I also randomly talk to strangers. I'm not sure when it started, or why, but I do. I'm also not sure of proper etiquette when I do so.

Is it best to introduce myself first or just start talking?

I tend to just ask questions or make comments, but Scott thinks I should introduce myself first.

Is it better to say, "Hi, I'm Josephene, where did you get that beautiful princess dress for your daughter?"

Or... (after my daughter has been playing with another little girl for half an hour at the beach). "The girls are having fun, but what's your daughter's name?-she doesn't want to tell me".

Sometimes it's just all around awkward, but people are usually friendly when I do this. I have even made a couple of friends, as bizarre as it may seem.

I'm trying to figure out why I talk to strangers, but maybe it is from watching my dad do the same for years. And everyone talks to him in every and all situations. For now, I'll just baffle my introverted self with this habit.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone on the highway from Salmon Arm to Calgary

Spending Fast

We had a very exciting Father's Day. Ate lots, called the Grandpa's, and....cleaned the basement. What every Dad wants to do on Father's Day.

What happened in the basement? We dredged up a million memories and a million items of clutter. We both seem to be hobby people, and collectors of things.

I have my cases of scrapbook supplies, and miscellaneous crafting items-for making jewellery, supplies to make stuffed animals, quilting items, meters and meters of material for sewing clothes and quilts (I used to sew a lot of clothes), boxes of photographs, a mannequin form for sewing, boxes of candles, ink and stamps, and I'm not sure what else. And a saxophone and all of the "usual" storage-off-season clothes, etc. And books.

Scarlett's is saving everything she's ever worn or played with or slept or ridden in a car in, for if she ever gets a little brother or little sister. It could be the best dressed-in-pink little boy ever!

Scott's gathering his own things-such as his CD collection that we haven't listened to since we moved into this house over 6 years ago. And PEZ dispensers, broken cameras and a box of coats.
Probably nothing of large monetary value, but it all adds up.

Cleaning our the basement essentially meant moving things from one end of the basement to the other, and getting rid of a box or two. (Really, I'm not ruthless). And I did get upset by the amount of money I have spent on things that I have never used. Not to mention the amount of energy and time is sucks up. It's one thing to buy an item and use it and love it, but such a different story when I stick it on a shelf to come back to later. (or move it from one shelf to another)

And then what did I chance upon today?!?! This lovely blog about a woman who has challenged herself to a "Spending Fast." I love it!

http://www.andthenshesaved.com/spendingfastguidelines/

I'm going to keep her in mind and follow her blog for a little while. And think a bit about how I spend my money, and how I can start to REUSE all of that stuff in the basement. That may mean I might have to sew Scarlett some clothes in some pretty pastel pink with blue flowers before I buy her something new! Now, I just need to carve out some time for that.

The blog is a great refresher at looking how we spend our money on things we WANT versus things we NEED. I am all for reducing our things to a minimum so that we can keep living in our (less than) 1000 sf bungalow-well, 1000 sf per floor. Plus I think it will be a great way to help Scarlett to value money and our accumulations.

I haven't committed to the Spending Fast yet, but it may be coming.

Triad of Change

An excerpt from our most recent newsletter (and a photo of our June garden by Scott-Stickoutyourfacephotography):

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7d3ccafbfb3d8fda5e6872dd8&id=38a4943602

Have you heard of The Triad of Change?

I've been talking about this in the office a lot as it really changed my view on how to make CHANGES in our life. Dr. Donald Epstein discovered that there is a TRIAD to how we make changes in ourselves, and the three sides of the triangle consist of STRUCTURE, PERCEPTION, and BEHAVIOUR. Knowing that this is a time of the year when we seem to start new activities or projects, it can help to look at ourselves from this perspective. Dr. Epstein found that our success comes from focussing on our 2 stronger sides of the triangle, with our third (not so strong) following or entraining to the other two.

For instance, if I were to start a new activity such as learning to run, there are different ways to approach it. I could sign up for classes, schedule a time to run, book myself with a running buddy, learn how to eat maximally (all structure based) OR I could focus on my motivation to run, why I want to be healthy, what positive benefits it will bring to my family or myself, use positive affirmations (all perception based) OR I could just literally go running and do it and act like I am a runner and an athlete (behavior based). We will all have one side of the triad that is natural to us, and one that is a source of energy for us. But the third, if we try make changes leading with that, will probably lead to failure. If you are taking up a new hobby or activity this summer, try considering the Triad of Change to approach things in a new way.

Good Luck!

Essential Skills

I thought I would need to help Scarlett learn essential skills such as how to fall asleep, how to use the potty, or how to put on her clothes. However, she's skipped learning these silly 2 year old skills, and has gone right to the heart of the matter. She's training for my job, and I didn't even know it.

Last night at 10:30 pm as we gave up on getting her to sleep (no, we don't have that skill down), Scarlett was playing in our bed. She had Scott and I lined up JUST SO-with many specific corrections to our head position, lying on our backs, and just sculpting us into position.

Then she started to massage our bellies, arms, legs, ... And said "I massage".

Then she held her hands on my chest and kept saying something very emphatically, which I couldn't decipher right away. When I figured out what it was, I burst out laughing. She's saying, over and over again, "Deep Breath". And what do I say all day, every day, over and over again to the practice members on my table? You got it-Deep Breath Here.

She made some little contacts on us which was probably comparable to me contacting gateways. (I assume?)

Then she stuck Scott's hand up in the air, and started pushing on it. First we were confused, then I started to laugh so hard that I started crying. She was muscle testing Scott. And what does he do all day? Muscle test people for the allergy elimination treatments.

Scott asked her, "Are you going to be a Massage Therapist or a Chiropractor?"

Her answer, "I'm a DOCTOR!".

That was our evening. She did eventually fall asleep, but apparently she's picking up much more than I am aware of.

Advice from a 2 Year Old

Have I already said that I think my daughter is intuitive?

Really, I think ALL kids are intuitive. If you spend time at our office, you'd be surprised by how many kids that don't come to see us as practice members, come running into our office. Repeatedly. Followed by a parent saying, "I don't know why she keeps heading for your office...". We know why, and your kid knows why.

But, I'm convinced that Scarlett has a sixth sense. Possibly because I'm also pretty convinced that she has seen ghosts or spirits. Possibly because sometimes she looks very wise before she does answer a question.

We are trying to use her intuition-in a harmless manner. Soon we'll buy lottery tickets and tell her to point at the winning ticket.

So far, her intuition has helped her to give me feedback on a person's character that I wasn't sure of. (Read, I don't trust my intuition as much as I trust hers).

She has swayed a few business decisions.

Her behaviour has influenced where I shop. And occasionally, what I buy.

If I was house hunting I would use her, because I have seen her act differently in an space that I know is a "good" space compared to a questionable one.

When our dog went missing for a few days, we did ask her a few times if she could tell where Raven was. Her answer, "Someone's back yard" with such certainty that I kept saying, "Point if you think we're near Raven." And then when we found Raven and met the person who found her, it turned into "Steve's backyard" with as much conviction.

She has sometimes provided answers to questions that we had not yet asked.

Needless to say, I take advice from my 2 year old. Not advice like, M&M's or cherries? But advice to questions where there are multiple good answers, just to see where her opinion may lead us. I would love to have such a strong sense of intuition and I believe mine will grow over time. For now, we sometimes receive clear information from our 2 year old who is also just starting to form sentences and her sense of self. The trick will be to help her keep this gift.