I Grew My Own Pineapple!!!

Wow, after only two long years I finally picked and ate my very own home-grown in the northern midwest pineapple! I must say, it was so much sweeter and "ripe" tasting than even the best chosen from the store. I saved the top that I twisted off, let it air dry for 4-5 days, and it's now starting to grow roots in a glass of water on the windowsill over the sink. My original post of how to fruit a pineapple is linked on the sidebar, or you can click here:

http://rawbabyrowan.blogspot.com/2009/06/fruiting-pineapples.html

Here's the fully ripe fruit just before I picked it. I had moved the pot outside for a part of the summer and it had tipped during a big storm. Me being me didn't notice for a few days while it started to grow a bit crooked. But then, don't we all grow a bit crooked? ;o}

Two years is definately a labor of love for an indoor pineapple plant, but it was fun and worth it IMHO. What to try next? Anyone have suggestions? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear!

~Sharilyn

I’m Lying On My Belly

     It’s about 6:30 A.M. and there’s a beautiful sunrise beginning to peak over the northeastern hills—baby pinks and blues right now, hints of vanilla (How appropriate!). Our big little girl was born 4 minutes to 4 A.M. Wednesday morning weighing 10 pounds and 10 ounces. ((((WHEW!!!)))) Most of that weight put on in the last 2 ½ weeks prior, from what I could tell, but then, Rowan was 10-1 and I ate SAD throughout. {Methinks the genes of my beloved husband had some influence here.}
 

     Anyhoo, everyone is doing well. Better even. By Wednesday evening I was downstairs for a while on the couch, Thursday up and about around the house. I even took “Shelf” outside on the moveable “porch” swing for a while, laying and rocking and nursing with one of those soft warm breezes kissing legs and arms and faces. Friday she was finally able to really open her eyes (they were swollen from delivery) and looked all around with her cute newborn crosseyes. ((giggle)) Then a mini photo shoot and off to the library and store to get groceries {I NEED GREENS!!! ((craving)))} and to print off some pics to send out to everyone.

     Thurs-Friday I couldn’t get to sleep, I think because my milk was coming in (THANK YOU Raw Tahini Milk!!) And was hot and hormonal. So I slept a bit between 4:30 and 9 off and on, but not much sleep there. Suprisingly didn’t seem to change functionability too much. (((Is that because of the vegan vs. meat???))) So last night I was still the last to get to sleep, maybe around 12:30-1am after nursing, then woke a little bit ago to nurse again and I felt rested and ready for the day, sooooooo . . . as the mini-Sharilyn World is sleeping I thought I’d type this up to post later today at the library. And without further ado, I give you:

     The Birth Story of "Shelf" (name undecided as of yet)  UPDATE:  After 2 weeks of deliberating, we've finally decided on Gabriella Nyx.

     As some of you know, I had been having regular contractions since 36 ½ weeks, roughly every 10-15 minutes. They didn’t hurt, they were mainly an annoyance. I began cervical ripening with evening primrose oil at the 37 week mark in hopes of bringing on labor, which obviously didn’t work. (Knowing how big Rowan was, and feeling the babe growing so large throughout the pregnancy on such a healthy diet, I (with my midwife’s OK) felt this was good to do. (I asked her about using castor oil and she advised against using that before 42 weeks, as she had seen too often babes delivering when they weren’t “lined up” quite right.) So that with a bit of nipple stimulation, but still no labor, and STILL having the B H contractions that didn’t produce was a bit frustrating.
 

     Then on Wednesday I had a major migrane, which I chalked up to the handful of tootsie rolls I ate, as the last headache I had was when I had the flu at 2 months, and prior to that I can’t remember. Perhaps instead it was a flood of hormones or whatever getting my bod geared up for labor. Contractions started getting harder in the evening, but hadn’t gotten closer than the 10 minutes, and some had even gotten further apart, as much as 35-40 minutes.

     I called my midwife a couple times that evening, but said to hold off coming as she’s 2 hours from me and I didn’t want her driving here for “nothing.” She was going to bed around 11:30-12 and told me to call then to let her know how I was doing, but after getting up to pee and having 3 contractions on top of one another in the 5 minute trip to the bathroom I called her shortly there after, which was a good thing. I began getting everything ready, did a quick mini-enema, filled the pool set up in the upstairs hallway, put down plastic, set out towels and supplies etc. Shortly after I woke Rich to rub my back during contractions and do some acupressure points.

     The midwife arrived around 1:30, checked me and the baby, and I got into the pool shortly after. I guess I started feeling pushy around 2:30, but didn’t start the regular hard labor for another 15-20 minutes. Pushed hard (mostly) for about and hour, then her head was partway out, but I was nearing exhaustion, so out of the pool Rich lifted me. I got on my hands and knees and with the midwife behind me helping to turn the baby (her shoulder was stuck for a couple minutes until she corkscrewed) and pushed her out. It took a bit of rubbing and a few puffs of oxygen to get her going (Tight squeeze!), but she started girgling then crying softly. I am VERY glad I opted for a midwife rather than unassisted here!! Rich held the baby, warming her and talking to her gently.

     Within a couple minutes I felt another contraction, so I got back on hands and knees and gave a little push---Out popped the placenta. Pretty cool looking, so I asked all kinds of questions about it, what’s this thing here, how does that look, etc. Then I hopped into the shower while Rich and the midwife dealt with cutting the cord, rubbing in the vernix, etc. I got into bed and Rich brought the babe to me to nurse. She latched right on and Boy! could she suck! The midwife and Rich were busy cleaning up a bit, draining the pool, etc., then I got checked for tears. There was a very small internal perineum tear, which tells me, ladies, that delivering on your back is NOT the way to go!! I had an episiotomy with Tris and tore to a 2 with Rowan, both on my back, as the doctor ordered. 
 

     Anyway, she said I looked real good. The midwife put golden seal on the baby’s umbilical stump, brought up my coconut water and raisins, tucked us in, hung out for a couple hours to make sure everyone was fine, and then was off. Since then, I’ve gotten small patches of sleep, but haven’t really needed much, which totally surprised me. It took until Friday evening for the baby’s swelling around her eyes to go down enough for her to really open them, but now she’s bright eyed and curious.
 

And still doesn’t have a name as I type this, but we’re almost there. I was hoping one would just fit, but so far just a couple really close but not quites. Anyone have suggestions? Doesn’t matter anyway, as we’ll have decided by the time I’m able to get to the library and check e-mail again.
 

Well, gotta run. I hear some hungry grunts. ;o}

~~~Sharilyn

New Pics!!

Our raw icecream cake--did I post the recipe?? Can't remember. It was super delicious, though too sweet to eat a whole piece at one time for Tris.


Overlooking the Mississippi.



Rowan's Fall 2010 pic.


Tomorrow is my official "Due Date" for the new little one. I was really hoping s/he would have arrived by now, but apparently s/he wants to come out on his/her own schedule. I've got everything set for a water birth, mom's in from out of town for the birth, and I am SOO ready to be unpregnant, although am savoring the last few movements. (We're not planning on any more after this one.)


Anyhoo, will give an update once Sharilyn JR. arrives.

August Heat

So it's about halfway through August and it's been one heat wave after another. But my garden melons are lovin' it, and I'm anxiously awaiting their ripening.
Kid news: We've decided to homeschool Tristen this year. He's been asking to be homeschooled since last year let out, so we did a trial run for a couple weeks and he LOVED IT. Mainly because it was finally up to his math/science/reading levels. So, I'm jumping in with both feet and have read about 11 different "homeschooling how to" books to get a good feel from a number of different sources. Not to mention the web research. I don't mind the "work" at all. It has, in fact, rekindled some personal interest in all subjects. I use to LOVE doing math problems in HS, and learning different aspects in the science field . . . can't wait!
Rowan is saying some funny things as of late--course i can't think of any of them as I type, that would be too easy. But we seem to have a good laugh almost daily. She's doing really well with her reading and can now read about 20-25 words. Can't wait til that "click" happens in her brain and she starts learning words at a fast rate. Will be interesting to observe.
"Shelf" has gotten a bit less active--running out of room I suppose. I've been trying to drink green juice with cucumber daily, to help with stretching and hopefully "unstretching" after the birth. I'm not due until mid September, but am hoping s/he will arrive early as Daddy is big, and Rowan weighed 10.1. Fine for the hospital, but at home I'm aiming for a bit smaller, so the sooner after 38 weeks, the better. I still haven't gained much weight wise--about 3 pounds total--but I measured my bust, hips, theighs, etc. and have lost a few inches, around 6 or so. Interesting. And if there's anyone else who reads this blog that had a raw or mostly raw pregnancy, I'd love to hear about your weight gain etc. and how baby turned out.
Any hoo, here's to a quick and fairly painless labor and a happy, healthy babe! (holding up a cup of cuke-celery-apple-ginger juice)
~~~Sharilyn

Meanderings

A million thoughts. Getting ready for baby. EC. Cloth diapers. How come I'm not gaining much weight (although no question about girth!!!!LOL.)? Sleeping w/o Rowan coming in to sleep in the wee morning hours and ''squishing" the newest. Laundry to do. Tristen back from his dad's for 3 weeks, 10 lbs heavier, not a damn thing i can do about it. Green smoothie, anyone?? Will Rowan be O.K. or overly jealous? Will I be able to deal w/ the sleep deprivation and a 3 year old on top of a newborn? Water birth? Stop worrying, already!!!!!
At least I'm not worried in the least about the whole giving birth part, oddly enough. I've been able to picture laboring in the upstairs hall and my bedroom right from the get-go. Then the idea of setting up a birthing pool in the kitchen, or possibly giving birth in the play room (there's a futon in there to lay on) downstairs occured to me. But absolutely no hesitation of homebirth, or fear for myself or soon to be #3. Not worried about pain, bleeding, nothing. I know everything is going to go great.
So what am I eating for babe today??
Since Tris just got back from his dad's and needs (IMO) to detox a little, he's green smoothieing and I've decided to join him. We'll also juice, and have fresh fruit and veggies to snack on this evening and tomorrow.
Breaky was:
green smoothie w/ fresh picked collards and peas from the garden, b-nas, apple, MSM, and barly juice powder. Made enough for lunch, too.
Also have fresh picked cuke and g.beans tossed with a hint of olive oil and sea salt to chew on. (I LOVE YOU GARDEN.) We'll be making some agave-raspberry-lemonade as well, maybe into popsicles if Tris wants. I picked up some more frozen fruit for smoothies today, as well as canelope and mangos. The raspberries should be coming soon, and I NEED to call my blueberry lady to see if they're ready for picking (I'm not familiar w/ blueberry timeframes). OH, almost forgot about mulberries. Those should be ready too.
Sorry if i'm rambling and hard to understand. My time's up, anyhoo.
~~~Sharilyn

Speaking of Cucumbers . . .

I'm sooo excited--I harvested our first cucumber today. Sooo yummy. It turned out to be breakfast for me, as I wasn't very hungry. ( Ate a little while later too.) My sweet spirit was it good.
Other garden news: Lots of green tomatoes, beans are getting there, peas have been harvested and another batch due in a few more weeks, baby carrots--OMG are they good---, Lots of kale and collards being washed and frozen for smoothies. Other stuff growing GREAT. Strawberries are done--they didn't do so well this year w/ all the moisture. Time to harvest mulberries. Blue berry lady will be getting a visit from me soon too.

How is your garden growing??? (Yes, I'd really love to know!!!)
~~~Sharilyn

The Amazing Cucumber

I received this e-mail and wanted to share it with every one. Funny, this morning I made cuke-celery-apple-mixed lettuce green juice for breaky. (((smile))).

WOW, WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS.....

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (I'm definately trying this one.)

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.


9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.


13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Baby update:

Just entered my 28th week/third trimester yesterday. So far I've gained between 3 and 5 pounds (it fluctuates every week). My midwife has some concern with this, but I feel with the nutrition packed food I consume and the fact that I stuff myself often enough (o.k. I'm a pig!!) I shouldn't worry. So I'm not. Baby is getting huge and moves quite a lot whenever I crunch on ice. Maybe the sound . . . ? Looking into a possible water birth. I figure we can set up a fishy-pool in the kitchen. Easier clean-up too. We'll see.

Tris is off to his dad's for 3 weeks. Rowan is three and acting every bit of it. Garden is superb, 'cept for the slugs and cabbage wormys. Carrot and pea and strawberrys for dinner last night--YUMMMMMM.

~~~Sharilyn